Order of the Catholic Mass

Communion Rite

Lord's Prayer

Priest:
Option A:  Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us.
Option B:  Jesus taught us to call God our Father, and so we have the courage to say:
Option C:  Let us ask our Father to forgive our sins and to bring us to forgive those who sin against us.
Option D:  Let us pray for the coming of the kingdom as Jesus taught us.

Priest and People:  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.
Priest:  Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
People:  For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Sign of Peace

Before partaking in the Eucharist, the church restores its peaceful unity by giving a sign of peace (this is usually done by shaking hands and saying "Peace be with you").

Priest:  Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
People:  Amen.
Priest:  The Peace of the Lord be with you always. 
People:  And also with you.
Deacon or Priest:  Let us offer each other a sign of peace.

The people give each other the sign of peace.

Breaking of the Bread

People: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace.

While the congregation is singing the above, the priest breaks the host over the paten, and says the following inaudibly while placing a piece in the chalice: May this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Prayers before Communion

The priests says one of the following prayers inaudibly:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit your death brought life to the world. By your holy body and blood free me from all my sins and from every evil. Keep me faithful to your teaching, and never let me be parted from you.

OR

Lord Jesus Christ, with faith in your love and mercy I eat your body and drink your blood. Let it not bring me condemnation, but health in mind and body.

Reception of Communion

The priest holds the host over the paten and says:

Priest:  This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
People:  Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Before receiving communion, the priest says inaudibly: May the body of Christ bring me to everlasting life. May the blood of Christ bring me to everlasting life.

The people of the congregation proceed forward to the altar to receive communion, usually while a hymn is sung. The minister holds up the host before the communicant and says, "The body of Christ." The communicant responds, "Amen," takes the host, eats it, and makes the sign of the cross. The same is done for the wine:

Minister: The blood of Christ.
Communicant: Amen.

He/She then returns to his/her seat and kneels (if no kneelers are provided, the congregation usually sits after receiving communion).

The priest then cleans everything while saying inaudibly: Lord, may I receive these gifts in purity of heart. May they bring me healing and strength, now and for ever.

Prayer after Communion

After a period of silence for personal prayer, the priest then says a prayer for the people to live a holy life and live in faith.

Priest:  Let us pray.
(This prayer changes each Mass).
People:  Amen.

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