Mass Part One: The Liturgy
of the Word
Every Catholic Mass consists of two main parts: the Liturgy
The first part of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Word, starts with the
procession and Introductory Rite. This is when we sing a hymn
or say or chant an antiphon, make the sign of the Cross and are
greeted by the bishop or priest. This is followed by the Penitential
Rite. This is where we confess our sinfulness and/or pray, “Lord,
Have Mercy.” We then sing or recite the “Gloria,” and the presider
leads us in the Opening Prayer.
After the Opening Prayer, we sit and listen to God’s Word in the
Sacred Scriptures. At a typical Sunday Mass we’ll have a first
reading, usually from the Old Testament, a Responsorial Psalm, a
second reading, usually from a New Testament letter, sing an Alleluia
After the readings comes the homily, sometimes called the sermon.
From there we all profess our faith in the Creed, and finally, we offer
begin the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
For further study:
CCC 1345-1349
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of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.
verse and then hear a reading from one of the Gospels.
up our prayers as a community of faith in the General Intercessions
or Prayers of the Faithful. After the Liturgy of the Word, we
Notes