physically unable to genuflect, then a
bow is sufficient.
I believe in God, the father
almighty, creator of heaven and
earth. I believe in Jesus Christ, his
only Son, our Lord. He was
conceived by the power of the
Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin
Mary. He suffered under Pontius
Pilate, was crucified, died, and
was buried. He descended to the
dead. On the third day
He rose again.
He ascended into heaven and is
seated at the right hand of the
Father. He will come again to
judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy
Catholic Church, the communion
of saints, the forgiveness of sins,
the resurrection of the body, and
the life everlasting. Amen.
Fast before Mass. The purpose is to help us
prepare to receive Jesus in the Eucharist.
No Food and Drink in Church. We want to
set the church apart as a place of prayer
and reflection.
Men take your hats off. Just as we take off
hats for the Pledge of Allegiance, a sign of
respect.
Don’t chew gum in church. It’s distractive
and very impolite in a formal setting
Cross yourself with Holy Water on entering
and leaving the church. Just try to remain
mindful of what is happening when you do
so and don’t do it without saying a prayer.
Dress modestly and appropriately. As
Catholics we believe that God comes
down to meet us at every Mass.
Show up at least a few minutes early.
Getting to Mass early allows you to pray
and prepare yourself better for Mass.
Cell phones should never be used in Mass
for calls or texting. The exceptions are
emergencies.
Gentlemen offer their seats. Offer your seat
to any lady, elderly, disable person
When we enter and leave Church,
genuflect toward the Tabernacle. Christ is
present for our sake. By allowing our right
knee to hit the floor, we acknowledge He
is our Lord and God. If someone is
Please be quiet while in church.
Remember that your conversation might
be disturbing someone who is in prayer,
which is much more important.
Take loud children to the back. Every
parent knows that sometimes the baby is
going to have a bad day. Don’t make
everyone else’s day bad as well.
Prepare your offering before Mass. Christ
tells us not to let your left hand know what
your right hand is doing when you make
your offering.
No bulletin reading during Mass. Just
focus on what is happening at the altar
Respect Boundaries others may have. Do
not make any unnecessary judgment
because they worship differently.
Bow before receiving Holy Communion.
Show your respect with a bow of the
head.
Do not receive from the chalice if you are
sick. This is an act of charity and it is not
necessary to receive in order to receive
the entirety of Jesus’ body, blood, soul,
and divinity.
Do not leave early. We should stay to the
end of the recession and the hymn that
accompanies it, if there is one.
Pray after Mass. Offer a prayer of
thanksgiving after Mass is over.
Leave quietly. Avoid disturbing others
who want to stay and pray.

The Introductory Rites
- Entrance Song
- Penitential Act
- First Reading from the
Old Testament
- Second Reading from the
New Testament
- Responsorial Psalm
- The Holy Gospel (Homily)
The Liturgy of the Word
- The Apostle’s Creed
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
- The Eucharistic Prayer
- The Communion Rites
The Concluding Rites
- The Final Song
- The Final Blessing
The Lord’s Prayer
Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy Name, thy
kingdom come, thy will be
done, on earth as it is in
heaven. Give us this day our
daily bread. And forgive us our
trespasses, as we forgive those
who trespass against us. And
lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil. Amen.
Hail Mary
Hail Mary full of grace, the Lord
is with you. Blessed are you
among women and blessed is
the fruit of thy womb Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners, now and at
the hour of our death. Amen
Glory Be
Glory be to the Father, and to
the Son and to the Holy Spirit.
As it was in the beginning, is
now and ever shall be world
without end. Amen.