B. Rites of the Mass with Biblical reference.

(Basic Catechism of the Holy Mass)

We highly regard the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We go to church every Sunday to attend the
Eucharistic celebration. Going to Mass is the basic act of Catholic worship of God. While there are
considerable number of worshippers during Sundays, the number does not match the participation expected.
The Catholic Church continues to ask the people to participate actively.
CCC 1362 The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the making present and the sacramental
offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body. In all the Eucharistic Prayers
we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.
Basic Catechism of the Holy Mass
a. Mass as a Sending Forth
The word “Mass” comes from the Latin word “Missa” meaning “Sending forth of the Faithful” or for
dismissal. The purpose of the Eucharist is to dismiss us, to send us out to be Christ for the world.
b. Eucharistic Celebration as a Gathering
This is for the purpose of bringing us together into the united body, ready to participate by giving of
ourselves, by breaking bread together.
c. Eucharist as Thanksgiving Worship
During the Mass, we celebrate Christ’s passion, death, and resurrection – His Paschal mystery. This
celebration brings us together as a community in Christ to thank, praise and adore God for one
sacrifice that brought salvation to humankind.
d. Eucharist as Sacrifice Sacrament
During the Last Supper with His apostles, Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.
Through the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, His bloody sacrifice could be continued through all the
years after His death. This is evident in the Gospels of Luke and Matthew.
“Our Savior Himself is present in His total offering of Himself to the Father. In the Eucharist, the
Death and Resurrection of Christ are not just remembered, but effectively proclaimed and made
present.” (CFC 1690)
 e. Eucharist as Communion Sacrament
Spiritual Communion is a Christian practice of desiring union with Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
Christ instituted the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist to bring about unity of the Church.
There are three important elements in sharing the Eucharistic Meal
1. Coming together (gathering of the Catholics in an assembly)
2. Dialogue (God speaks through the readings of the Scripture and the faithful respond through
the Creed and General Intercessions)
3. Sharing of food (the reception of the body and blood of Christ)
The Mass consists in some sense of two parts, namely the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy
of the Eucharist, these being so closely interconnected that they form but one single act of worship. For in
the Mass is spread the table both of God’s Word and of the Body of Christ, and from it the faithful are to be
instructed and refreshed. There are also certain rites that open and conclude the celebration.

f. Other Formulas Occurring during the Celebration

Since the celebration of Mass by its nature has a “communitarian” character, both the dialogues between
the Priest and the assembled faithful, and the acclamations are of great significance; for they are not simply
outward signs of communal celebration but foster and bring about communion between Priest and people.
The acclamations and the responses of the faithful to the Priest’s greetings and prayers constitute that level
of active participation that is to be made by the assembled faithful in every form of the Mass, so that the
action of the whole community may be clearly expressed and fostered.
Other parts, most useful for expressing and fostering the active participation of the faithful, and which are
assigned to the whole gathering, include especially the Penitential Act, the Profession of Faith, the
Universal Prayer, and the Lord’s Prayer.
a) Some constitute an independent rite or act, such as the Gloria in excelsis (Glory to God in the
highest), the Responsorial Psalm, the Alleluia and Verse before the Gospel, the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy),
the Memorial Acclamation, and the chant after Communion;
b) Others, on the other hand, accompany some other rite, such as the chants at the Entrance, at
the Offertory, at the fraction (Agnus Dei, Lamb of God) and at Communion.
c) The Manner of Pronouncing the Different Texts
In texts that are to be pronounced in a loud and clear voice, whether by the Priest or the Deacon,
or by a reader, or by everyone, the voice should correspond to the genre of the text itself, that is, depending
upon whether it is a reading, a prayer, an explanatory comment, an acclamation, or a sung text; it should
also be suited to the form of celebration and to the solemnity of the gathering. Consideration should also be
given to the characteristics of different languages and of the culture of different peoples.
Therefore, in the rubrics and in the norms that follow, words such as “say” and “proclaim” are to be
understood either of singing or of reciting, with due regard for the principles stated here above.
d) The Importance of Singing
The Christian faithful who come together as one in expectation of the Lord’s coming are instructed
by the Apostle Paul to sing together Psalms, hymns, and spiritual canticles (cf. Col 3:16). Singing is the
sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2:46). Thus St. Augustine says rightly, “Singing is for one who loves,” and
there is also an ancient proverb: “Whoever sings well prays twice over.”
Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass,
with due consideration for the culture of peoples and abilities of each liturgical assembly. Although it is not
always necessary (e.g., in weekday Masses) to sing all the texts that are in principle meant to be sung,
every care should be taken that singing by the ministers and the people not be absent in celebrations that
occur on Sundays and on Holydays of Obligation.
e) Gestures and Bodily Posture
The gestures and bodily posture of both the Priest, the Deacon, and the ministers, and also of the
people, must be conducive to making the entire celebration resplendent with beauty and noble simplicity, to
making clear the true and full meaning of its different parts, and to fostering the participation of all. Attention
must therefore be paid to what is determined by this General Instruction and by the traditional practice of
the Roman Rite and to what serves the common spiritual good of the People of God, rather than private
inclination or arbitrary choice.
A common bodily posture, to be observed by all those taking part, is a sign of the unity of the members of
the Christian community gathered together for the Sacred Liturgy, for it expresses the intentions and
spiritual attitude of the participants and also fosters them.
The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance Chant, or while the Priest approaches the
altar, until the end of the Collect; for the Alleluia Chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is
proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Universal Prayer; and from the invitation, Orate, fratres
(Pray, brethren), before the Prayer over the Offerings until the end of Mass, except at the places indicated
here below.
The faithful should sit, on the other hand, during the readings before the Gospel and the Responsorial
Psalm and for the Homily and during the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory; and, if appropriate, they
may sit or kneel during the period of sacred silence after Communion.
f) Silence
Sacred silence also, as part of the celebration, is to be observed at the designated times. Its
nature, however, depends on the moment when it occurs in the different parts of the celebration. For in the
Penitential Act and again after the invitation to pray, individuals recollect themselves; whereas after a
reading or after the Homily, all meditate briefly on what they have heard; then after Communion, they praise
God in their hearts and pray to him.
Even before the celebration itself, it is a praiseworthy practice for silence to be observed in the church, in
the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the
sacred celebration in a devout and fitting manner.

Prayer after Mass

O God, Almighty and merciful, grant us through this Holy Sacrifice, joy and peace, a
holier life, time to do penance, grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit, and
perseverance in good works. Direct, we beseech You Lord, our actions by your
inspirations, and further them by your assistance that every word and works of ours
may begin always from you and by you be likewise ended through Christ, our
Lord. Men.
In the Name of the Father, of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit

Questions For Discussion:

1. What is the importance of our active participation in the mass?
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___________________________________________________________________________
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2. Is it important to attend mass every Sunday as Catholics? Why?
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
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3. Enumerate the Formulas Occurring during the Celebration of the Holy Mass
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Activity 8. Provide the correct definition of the following words:

1. Eucharist Meal - ______________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________________________
2. Memorial of Christ’s Passover- __________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________
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3. Mass -_________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
4. Singing during the Mass-__________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
 5. Gestures during the Mass-_________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

Doing the Message:

What we receive at Mass is infinitely more than just a passing good feeling or a preached life lesson. We
participate in the passion, death, and resurrection of Christ himself. We receive his body, blood, soul and
divinity in the Holy Eucharist.
a. Make a short reflection paper (3-5 Paragraphs) about your unique experience in attending the
Mass.
b. Follow the official page of Campus Ministry Office (CMO) to receive updates on institutional
celebrations we have in the campus. https://web.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100084317691159

Course References:

• Wostyn, Lode. DISCIPLESHIP IN COMMUNITY: A WORKBOOK FOR THEOLOGY 3. Quezon

City: Claretian Publications, 2003.
• Raas, Bernhard, SVD. LITURGY, MINISTRIES AND THE BIBLE. Manila: Logos Publications,Inc.,
2010.
• CBCP-ECCE. CATECHISM FOR FILIPINO CATHOLICS. Manila: Word and Life Publications,1997.
• Chupungco, Fr. Anscar, OSB. The Filipino Catholics and their Life of Worship And Prayer.
• DOCETE, Nos. 107 & 108, Issue Nos. 112, 113 & 114. Intramuros, Manila: ECCE National
Catechetical Office, Jan to Sept. 2003.
• Balon, Jess P. Liturgical Year, DOCETE, Nos. 107 & 108. MANILA: ECCE-National
Catechetical Office, 2015.

• Salud, Audrey Vincentine. Christ and the Church (Module 2), Letran Calamba Religious Education
Program. Katha Publishing Company, Inc., 2013.
• Knox, Ian. Theology for Teachers, Claretian Publications, 2011.