Order of the Catholic Mass: Introductory Rites

We gather together to pray and ask forgiveness in preparation to meet Christ in the sacrament of the Eucharist. We also celebrate our unity with him, and our unity with each other in faith, by gathering together as a congregation.

An introductory song is sung as the priest and ministers proceed to the altar. The purpose of the opening song is to deepen our unity as the Mass is being introduced.

Priest: In the name of the Father, + and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

The priest welcomes us and we demonstrate our unity by responding as a congregation. (One of three greetings may be used.)

Priest: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
People: And also with you.

Priest: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
People: Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. *or* And also with you.

This can be done in any church or chapel during any Sunday mass, including those celebrated Saturday evening. The Penitential Rite and Kyrie are omitted when the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Holy Water is included.

Priest: Dear friends, this water will be used to remind us of our baptism. Let us ask God to bless it, and to keep us faithful to the Spirit he has given us.

Priest: God our Father, your gift of water brings life and freshness to the earth; it washes away our sins and brings us eternal life.
We ask you now to bless this water, and to give us your protection on this day which you have made your own. Renew the living spring of your life within us and protect us in spirit and body, that we may be free from sin and come into your presence to receive your gift of salvation. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.

Priest: Lord God almighty, creator of all life, of body and soul, we ask you to bless this water: as we use it in faith forgive our sins and save us from all illness and the power of evil.
Lord, in your mercy give us living water, always springing up as a fountain of salvation: free us, body and soul, from every danger, and admit us to your presence in purity of heart. Grant this through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.

Priest: Lord God almighty, hear the prayers of your people: we celebrate our creation and redemption. Hear our prayers and bless this water which give fruitfulness to the fields, and refreshment and cleansing to man. You chose water to show your goodness when you led your people to freedom through the Red Sea and satisfied their thirst in the desert with water from the rock. Water was the symbol used by the prophets to foretell your new covenant with us. You made the water of baptism holy by Christ's baptism in the Jordan: by it you give us a new birth and renew us in holiness. May this water remind us of our baptism, and let us share the joy of all who have been baptized at Easter. We ask this through Christ our Lord.
People: Amen.

Priest: Almighty God, we ask you to bless + this salt as once you blessed the salt scattered over the water by the prophet Elisha. Wherever this salt and water are sprinkled, drive away the power of evil, and protect us always by the presence of your Holy Spirit. Grant this through Christ our Lord.

The water is then poured into the water. The priest then sprinkles himself, the ministers, and the people. This may be done while a song is sung. He then returns to the altar, joins his hands.

Priest: May almighty God cleanse us of our sins, and through the eucharist we celebrate make us worthy to sit at his table in his heavenly kingdom.
People: Amen.

The Penitential Rite is omitted when the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of the Holy Water takes place.

Priest: As we prepare to celebrate the mystery of Christ's love, let us acknowledge our failures and ask the Lord for pardon and strength

Priest: Coming together as God's family, with confidence let us ask the Father's forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion.

Priest: My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.

Priest and People: I confess to almighty God, and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; and I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord, our God.

Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.

Priest: Lord, we have sinned against you: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Lord, show us your mercy and love.
People: And grant us your salvation.
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.

Priest: You raise the dead to life in the Spirit: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: You bring pardon and peace to the sinner: Christ, have mercy.
People: Christ, have mercy.
Priest: You bring light to those in darkness: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.

The Kyrie is omitted when the Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of the Holy Water takes place.

Priest: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: Christ, have mercy.
People: Christ, have mercy.
Priest: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.

Priest and People:
Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world: have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, You alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Priest: Let us pray.
The opening prayer gives the theme of the day's mass and changes from day to day.
People: Amen.