The beautiful Catholic Mass is celebrated every weekday and five different times for Sunday. It looks pretty much the same today as it did almost 2000 years ago. Embedded in the sacred pages of God’s divine word is a blueprint with which God’s holy people, the Church, can construct a form of worship that is truly pleasing to the Lord. The Mass and the Bible are inseparable, and together they orient the Catholic faithful toward the destiny to which all humans are called: heaven.
In case you are wondering why we observe the Sabbath day on Sunday, rather than Saturday as the Jewish people do, passages of Scripture such as Acts 20:7, 1 Corinthians 16:2, Colossians 2:16-17, and Revelation 1:10 indicate that, even during New Testament times, the Sabbath is no longer binding and that Christians are to worship on the Lord’s day, Sunday, instead.
The Mass is the sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus Christ, the sacrifice of his life that He gave for us, made once and for all on the hill of Calvary, outside of Jerusalem, around the year 30. The Mass that we participate in, as Catholic Christians, is the same sacrifice, now made present to us, today. When we attend Mass, we obey the command of Jesus at the Last Supper, “Do this in memory of me.” And from that first Easter Sunday night, the disciples of Jesus would meet, once a week, on a Sunday, to do what Jesus had done. In imitation of his actions at the Last Supper, the priest, who acts in the person of Jesus, takes bread, says a blessing, breaks the bread, and gives it to us for Communion. In the same manner, the priest takes the cup of wine, says a blessing, and gives it to us to take
The Mass has been the central prayer of the people of God, the Church, for almost two thousand years. Since the time of the Last Supper, Christians have been asked to gather together once a week to celebrate the Lord’s Supper as commanded by Jesus. The language of the Mass, originally celebrated by Jesus and the Apostles, was Aramaic. Then later the prayers of the Mass were in Greek, and later in many other languages of the ancient world: Syriac, Coptic, Latin, etc.
Throughout the history of Christianity the format and prayers that have been used for the Mass have changed and evolved, from Masses in the homes of the early Christians (with everyone sitting or reclining at tables) to the Masses in the larger buildings of ancient Rome called basilicas. For many years, the language of the Mass was Greek, and from the end of the 300's, and throughout the 400's, parts of the Mass were read in Latin, which was the common language of the people of the time.
With more and more persons participating in the Mass, there was no longer any room in the home, even larger homes, so after the emperor Constantine gave Christians the right to practice their religion publicly, the emperor or others built buildings made for the larger gatherings. The churches of the time had no pews – everyone stood for the whole Mass. There was a stone bench at one end, called the apse, where the bishop and other priests sat. The bishop would preach, sitting down, from this bench.
The Mass began with readings from the Hebrew Scriptures (now called the Old Testament) and then other readings from the letters of Paul or the other apostles. The bishop, or presiding priest, would comment on the readings, applying the message of the readings to Christian life. This was called the homily. Bread, wine and water were brought in, and the bishop or presiding priest prayed a Prayer of Thanksgiving, asking God to change the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. People came to Communion standing, with hands outstretched, and received the Sacred Host in their hands, and then drank from the chalice. At the end of the Mass, another prayer was prayed, and the congregation was dismissed.
Here is a layout of the Mass Catholics celebrate every day (and 5 times for Sunday). There are 4 main hymns sung throughout Mass (Entrance, Offertory, Communion, and Recessional), plus the Gloria, Psalm, Holy Holy Holy, Our Father, Agnus Dei and many of the responses are also sung at certain Masses. Scripture is cited more than 100 times:
The Mass is the Holy Word of God. Hebrews 8:2 7:25 8:3a,b, Revelation 5:6
INTRODUCTORY RITES
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit: Matthew 28:19
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all/ And with your Spirit: (Ruth 2:4, 2 Timothy 4:22, Judges 6:12, Luke 1:28, 2 Corinthians 13:13, 1 Peter 1:3)
The Confiteor: Nehemiah 9:2, Leviticus 5:5 I confess to almighty God (Jas 5:16), and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned (1 Chr 21:8), in my thoughts and in my words (Psalm 19:15), in what I have done and in what I have failed to do (Jas 3:5; Jas 4:17), through my own fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault (Jas 5:16); therefore 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 (1 Thess 5:25).
Gloria: Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will (Lk 2:14). We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you (Rev 7:12), we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father (Rev 19:6). Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father (2 Jn 3), you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us (Jn 1:29); you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father (Rom 8:34), have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One (Lk 4:34), you alone are the Lord (Ps 83: 19; Rev 15:4), you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ (Lk 1:32) with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen (Jn 14:26).
LITURGY OF THE WORD (Ex 24:7)
Old Testament Reading
Psalm Reading (singing)
New Testament Reading
Alleluia ("God be praised"): Ps.113-118, Rev 19:1-9 Nehemiah 8:5 (stand for the Gospel) 6:6-7
Gospel Reading
Homily
Profession of Faith / Nicene Creed (Romans 10:9-10): We believe in God, the Father almighty, maker of heaven and earth (Gen 14:19), of all things visible and invisible (Col 1:16). I believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God (Jn 1:18), born of the Father before all ages (Lk 1:35), God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father; through him all things were made (Jn 1:1-4). For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven, and became man (Jn 3:13), and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary, and became man (Mt 1:18). For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate (Jn. 19:16); he suffered death and was buried, and rose again on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures (1 Cor. 15:3-4). He ascended into heaven (Lk 24:51) and is seated at the right hand of the Father (Col 3:1). He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead (2 Tim. 4:1), and his kingdom will have no end (Lk 1:33). I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of Life, who proceeds from the Father (Jn 15:26) and the Son, who with the Father and the Son he adored and glorified (Jn 14:16), who spoken through the Prophets (1 Pet 1:10-11). I believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church (Mt 16:18). I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins (Acts 2:38; Eph 4:4-6), and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come (Rom 6:5). Amen.
LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation (1 Chr 29:10; Ps 89:53; Rom 9:5) for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth (Jas 5:7) and work of human hands, (Qo* 3:13), it will become for us the bread of life (Jn 6:35). Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink (Lk 22:17-18).
Blessed be God forever (cf. Ps. 68:36).
Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father (cf. Heb. 12:28).
May the Lord accept this sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his Church (cf. Ps. 50:23)
Gen 14:14-16, Hebrews 5:10 (sacrifice of thanksgiving)
Daniel 3:39-40 (sacrifice, spirit be received)
Leviticus 30:18-21 (hand washing)
Rev 5:8 (incense)
The Lord be with you; And with your spirit; Lift up your hearts; We lift them up to the Lord (Lam 3:41).
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God (Col 3:17).
It is right and just (Col 1:3).
It is truly right and just, our duty and salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy, through your beloved Son (Col 1:13), Jesus Christ, your Word through whom you made all things (Jn 1:3), whom you sent as our Savior and Redeemer, incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin (Gal 4:4; Mt 1:18; Lk 1:26-35). Fulfilling your will and gaining for you a holy people (1 Peter 2:9), he stretched out his hands (Is 65:2; Rom 10:21) as he endures his Passion, so as to break the bonds of death (2 Tim 1:10) and manifest the resurrection. And so, with the Angels and all the Saints we declare your glory, as with one voice we acclaim …
Holy Holy Holy: Isaiah 6:3, Rev 4:8 Holy, holy, holy, Lord, God hosts (Is 6:3; Rev 4:8). Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord (Mt 21:9; Mk 11:9-10). Hosanna in the highest (Is 6:3)
Eucharistic Prayer I:
To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition through Jesus Christ, your Son, our Lord (Eph 5:20): that you accept and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unblemished sacrifices (2 Macc 1:26), which we offer you firstly for your holy catholic Church. Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard, unite and govern her throughout the whole world, together with your servant Francis our Pope, and N. our Bishop, and all those who, holding to the truth, hand on the catholic and apostolic faith (Jn 17:21; Acts 2:42).
Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N. and all gathered here, whose faith and devotion are known to you. For them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer to for themselves and all who are dear to them: for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being, and paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true (Ps 106:4-5; Heb 13:15).
In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her spouse, your blessed apostles and martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, and all your saints; we ask that through their merits and prayers (1 Tim 2:1), in all things we may be defended by your protecting help. (Mt 1:2-16; Lk 16:9; 1 Cor 12:12, 20f; Rev 5:8).
Therefore, Lord, we pray: graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family; order our days in your peace, and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation and counted among the flock of those you have chosen (Acts 20:28).
Be pleased, O God, we pray, to bless, acknowledge, and approve this offering in every respect (Gen 4:4); make it spiritual and acceptable, so that it may become for us the Body and Blood of your most beloved son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the day before he was to suffer, he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, and with eyes raised to heaven to you, O God, his almighty Father, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples says: Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you (Mt 26:26-28).
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took this precious chalice in his holy and venerable hands, and once more giving thanks, he said the blessing and gave the chalice to his disciples saying: Take this, all of you, and drink from it, for this is my Blood, the Blood of the new and eternal covenant, which will be poured out for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Do this in memory of me (Mt 26:26-28).
The mystery of faith (1 Tim 3:16).
When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again. (1 Cor. 11:26)
Therefore, O Lord, as we celebrate the memorial of the blessed Passion, the resurrection from the dead, and the glorious ascension into heaven of Christ, your son, our Lord, we, your servants and your holy people, offer to your glorious majesty from the gifts that you have given us, this pure victim, this holy victim, this spotless victim (1 Pet 1:18-21), the holy Bread of eternal life and the chalice of everlasting salvation (Jn 6:54).
Be pleased to look upon these offerings with a serene and kindly countenance, and to accept them, as once you were pleased to accept the gifts of your servant Abel (Gen 4:4) the just, the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith (Gen 22:12), and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek (Gen 14:18), a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim (1 Pet 1: 19).
In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God: command that these gifts be borne by the hands of your holy Angel to your altar on high in the sight of your divine majesty (Rev 8:3-4), so that all of us, who through this participation at the altar receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son, may be filled with grace and heavenly blessing (Eph 1:3).
Though we are sinners, we trust in your mercy and love. Do not consider what we truly deserve, but grant us your forgiveness (Ps 25:7).
Through him you give us all these gifts. You fill them with life and goodness, you bless them and make them holy (Ps 104:27-28).
Our Father (Mt. 6:9-13)
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. (Jn 17:15).
Through him, and with him, and in him (Rom 11:36), O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit (Eph 4:3), all glory and honor is yours (Eph 3:20-21; Rev 4:11), for ever and ever. Amen.
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 and reign for ever and ever (Jn. 14:27). The peace of the Lord be with you always (cf. Jn. 20:19). Let us offer each other the sign of peace (Rom 16:16; 1 Cor 16:20; 2 Cor 13:12; 1 Thes 5:26; 1 Pet 5:14).
Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, miserere nobis. Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi, dona nobis pacem. (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 )(cf. Jn. 1:29)
May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it (Jn 6:54).
Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world (Jn 1:29). Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb (Rev 19:9).
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed (Mt 8:8; Lk 7:6-7).
Communion: The Body of Christ/ Amen. The Blood of Christ/ Amen.
The Lord be with you; And with your spirit (Ruth 2:4).
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit (Lk 24:51).
Go in the peace of Christ (Lk 7:50). Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord (Mk 16:15). Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life (1 Cor 10:31; 1 Pet 4:11).
Thanks be to God (2 Cor. 9:15).
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*cf - short for the Latin: confer/conferatur, both meaning "compare"
*Qo - Qo is defined as the abbreviation of Qohelet from the Hebrew Bible which translates into Ecclesiastes, a book of teachings by Solomon in the Old Testament.
References:
https://stjosephscharlton.com/mass-history-story
https://aleteia.org/2017/08/12/who-says-catholics-dont-hear-the-bible-at-mass/
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