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A.
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The people of God are called together at the Mass. The priest
presides and acts in the person of Christ to celebrate the memorial of
the Lord or eucharistic sacrifice. Christ*s
promise to the Church: "Where two or three come together in my
name, there am I in their midst." Matthew 18:20. The Mass
perpetuates the sacrifice of the cross. Christ is present to the
assembly gathered in his name; he is present in the person of the
minister; in his own word and especially in his eucharistic elements.
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B.
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The Mass is made up of the Word and the Liturgy of the eucharist,
two parts so closely connected that they become one single act of
worship. The Mass is the table of God*s
word and Christ*s
body and is laid out for the people of God to receive instruction and
food.
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II.
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DIFFERENT ELEMENTS OF THE MASS (Reading and explaining the Word of God)
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A.
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When Scriptures are read in Church, God himself is speaking to his
people. Christ is present in his word proclaiming the Gospel. The readings
must be listened to with reverence; they make up a principal element of
the liturgy. Scripture is understandable to all generations, but a living
commentary on the word, the homily, is an integral part of the liturgy,
increases the word*s
effectiveness.
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B.
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Prayers and Other Parts Assigned to the Priest
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1.
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Presidential Prayers–assigned
to the Priest, especially the eucharistic prayer is preeminent. It is the
high point of the entire celebration. Next, the opening prayer (collect)
prayers over the gifts and prayer after communion. The priest, presiding
over the assembly in the person of Christ, addresses these prayers to God in
the name of the entire holy people. These are Presidential prayers.
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2.
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The priest instructs and proclaims the word of God and gives the
final blessing. He may introduce the Mass, the readings, the
eucharistic prayer and concluding comments at the end of Mass before
dismissal.
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3.
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Presidential prayers must be spoken in aloud and clear voice and
no other prayer or music should be played at this time.
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4.
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The priest does not pray just in the name of the assembly, but
for himself as well, that he may exercise his ministry with attention
and devotion.
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5.
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The Mass is an act of the entire community and the dialogues
between priest and the assembly have a special value. They are
communion between priest and the people.
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6.
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The acclamations and responses to the priest*s
greeting and prayers create active participation in the celebration.
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7.
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Other parts that express and encourage active participation by
the congregation are: the penitential rite, the profession of faith,
general intercessions and the Lord*s
Prayer.
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8.
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Other texts that the congregation are the Gloria,
responsorial psalm, alleluia, verse before the Gospel, the Sanctus, memorial
acclamation, and song after communion, as well as the entrance song. song at
the preparation of the gifts and the breaking of the bread (Agnus Dei,)
and communion song.
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C.
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Vocal Expression of the Different Texts
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1.
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All texts, whether by priest or assembly are to be said or sung in
the genre of which they were intended; i.e., a reading is read, a prayer
is prayed, an instruction is given, an acclamation is acclaimed, a song
is sung and the tone should be suited to the form of the celebration.
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D.
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Importance of Singing
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1.
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The faithful gathered together are instructed by the Apostle
Paul to sing psalms, hymns, and inspired songs (Colossians 3:16). Song
is the singing of the heart*s
joy (Acts 2:46). St. Augustine rightly says: "To sing belongs to
lovers" and "One who sings well prays twice." Great importance should be placed on singing at Mass, but it is not
necessary to sing all texts that are of themselves meant to be sung.
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2.
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Those chosen to be sung should be selected according to preference
and significance, especially those sung by the priest with the
congregation responding.
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3.
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Since the faithful come together ever more frequently, it is
desirable that they know how to sing at least some parts of the
Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the profession of faith and
The Lord*s
prayer.
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E.
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Movements and Postures
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1.
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Uniformity in standing, kneeling or sitting to be observed by
all taking part is a sign of the community and unity of the assembly.
It fosters the spiritual attitude of those taking part in the
celebration.
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2.
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For the sake of uniformity instructions should be taken from the
deacon or priest.
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a.
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Stand:
at the beginning of Mass, entrance
song, and until the end of the opening prayer; singing of the Alleluia
before the Gospel; while the Gospel is proclaimed; during the
procession of faith and general intercessions; prayer over the gifts
to the end of Mass except the places indicated next: External actions
of the Mass: priest going to the altar, faithful presenting the gifts
and their coming forward to receive communion.
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b.
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Sit:
during the readings before the Gospel; during the
responsorial psalm, homily and presentation of the gifts and if it
seems helpful, during the period of silence after communion.
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c.
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Kneel: at the consecration.
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F.
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Silence
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a.
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Silence should be observed at designated times: penitential
rite, invitation to pray, conclusion of a reading or homily, all
meditate on what has been heard; after communion, all praise God in
silent prayer.
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