Prayers

Introibo ad altare Dei.

Psalm 42 is prayed at the foot of the altar as the priest and server ask to approach God with purified desire.

Confiteor Deo omnipotenti.

The Confiteor is the public confession of sin and need for intercession before the sacred action advances.

Aufer a nobis, quaesumus, Domine.

As the priest ascends, this prayer asks that sins be taken away before entering the holy place.

Antiphona ad Introitum.

The Introit is the proper entrance chant. Its exact text changes with the Liturgical Day.

Kyrie eleison.

The Kyrie is the repeated plea for mercy after the entrance chant.

Dominus vobiscum.

This liturgical greeting opens several transitions and leads here toward the prayer appointed for the day.

Gloria in excelsis Deo.

The Gloria is the great hymn of praise used when the calendar calls for it.

Oremus.

The Collect gathers the Church's petition for the day. Its exact text changes with the Liturgical Day.

Per Dominum nostrum Iesum Christum.

This conclusion offers the prayer through Christ in the Roman liturgical form.

Lectio Epistolae.

The Epistle is the first scriptural lesson. Its text is selected by the Liturgical Day.

Sequentia sancti Evangelii.

The Gospel receives special honor and is chosen according to the Liturgical Day.

Credo in unum Deum.

The Creed is the solemn profession of faith said on appointed days.

Antiphona ad Offertorium.

The Offertory antiphon is the proper chant at the beginning of the offertory.

Suscipe, sancte Pater.

The priest offers the host with language of sacrifice, unworthiness, and salvation.

Offerimus tibi, Domine.

The chalice is offered for salvation before the washing of hands and the prayer over the gifts.

Secreta.

The Secret is the quiet prayer over the offerings, with text proper to the Liturgical Day.

Sursum corda.

The Preface dialogue lifts the Church toward thanksgiving before the Sanctus and Canon.

Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus.

The Sanctus joins earthly worship to the praise of heaven before the Roman Canon.

Te igitur, clementissime Pater.

The Roman Canon begins in sacred quiet with the Church asking the Father to accept the sacrifice.

Hoc est enim Corpus meum.

The words of Christ are spoken over the host at the center of the Mass.

Hic est enim calix Sanguinis mei.

The consecration of the chalice follows the consecration of the host in the Roman Canon.

Pater noster, qui es in caelis.

The Pater Noster follows the Canon and leads the Church toward Communion.

Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.

The Pax Domini comes before the Agnus Dei as Communion approaches.

Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi.

The Agnus Dei names Christ as the Lamb of God and asks for mercy and peace.

Corpus Domini nostri Iesu Christi.

This formula accompanies the reception of Holy Communion.

Antiphona ad Communionem.

The Communion antiphon is the proper text after Communion and changes with the Liturgical Day.

Postcommunio.

The Postcommunion gathers thanksgiving after Communion. Its exact text changes with the Liturgical Day.

Ite, missa est.

The dismissal sends the faithful from the sacrifice into daily life.

Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus.

The priest gives the blessing at the close of Mass.

In principio erat Verbum.

The Last Gospel turns the congregation once more to the mystery of the Incarnation.