catholic mass

For an assignment for school I am suppose to write a paper on the experience of a Catholic Mass, but I am not allowed to attend one by parents because I'm not a catholic. I'm supposed to discuss the furnishing, artwork, music, atmosphere, lighting, homily, people sacraments, and the priest and how they all help add to the overall experience of this celebration.

Help is appreciated.
Thanks.

Here is an outline of the Mass:

• Introductory Rites
. • Entrance (All stand)
. • Greeting
. • Act of Penitence
. • Kyrie Eleison (Latin for "Lord have mercy")
. • Gloria
. • Opening Prayer

• Liturgy of the Word
. • First Reading - usually from the Old Testament (All sit)
. • Responsorial Psalm
. • Second Reading - usually from a New Testament Epistle
. • Gospel Reading (All stand)
. • Homily (All sit for the sermon)
. • Profession of Faith (the Nicene Creed) (All stand)
. • Prayer of the Faithful (prayers of petition)

• Liturgy of the Eucharist
. • The Preparation of the Gifts - the bread and wine are brought forward and placed on the altar, our monetary offerings are also collected at this time (All sit)
. • The Prayer over the Offerings (All stand)
. • The Eucharistic Prayer - during this prayer the bread and wine change into the Body and Blood of Christ (Catholics kneel, visitors may kneel or sit)
. • The Lord's Prayer (All stand)
. • The Rite of Peace (We offer each other a sign of peace)
. • The Breaking of the Bread
. • Communion - non-Catholics are requested out of respect not to receive Communion, they may approach the altar with their arms crossed over their chest to receive a blessing (Stand or kneel according to local custom)

• The Concluding Rites
. • Announcements (All sit)
. • Blessing (All stand)
. • Dismissal
. • Procession

For more information, see the General Instruction of the Roman Missal: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect3a
and http://stbrigids-kilbirnie.com/Pages/mass-1.html

With love in Christ.

2008-04-08 19:44:37 by Carlos

A complete Catholic Eucharistic Liturgy celebrated on the feast of Saint Peter and Saint Paul, 2008 at the begining of the year of St. Paul.

I know the orthodox mass is longer than roman catholic mass.. for me both churches are catholics.. but I have heard me as a roman catholic.. I can't take the communion with an orthodox church.. I don't know but I have read that from an orthodox point of view.

Orthodox Mass (technically, "Liturgy") is more ornate, but both follow the same format- reading of the Word, intercessions, consecration, etc. The word Mass comes from the Latin "Missa", which for obvious linguistic reasons, doesn't apply to Orthodox Liturgy, as Orthodox Liturgy is conducted in Greek. Mostly it is more ornate because the Greeks didn't go through the happy happy reduction of the Mass that we experienced in the West (vernacular, folk songs, etc.). A traditional (Tridentine) Catholic Mass is permitted and encouraged by Rome, and these are more ornate and you would see less disctinction between the two.

You are right that you as a Catholic can not participate in Orthodox Communion, though both Communions are the same thing. This is because Orthodox broke from Rome in 1054, and although they still have Aposolic Succession, and a valid Eucharist, they are not under the Pope and for you to participate in their Eucharist would be a false action of unity. Although their Eucharist is valid (i.e., true, it actually happens) it is illicit, ie., not allowed. In certain dire circumstances you are permitted to participate as a Roman Catholic, if near death or in an area of the world where you cannot attend an R.C. Mass. This is rare in modern times, unless, you're in Istanbul, possibly, but even there I think there are R.C. churches.

2008-10-12 11:07:43 by VOICES

Price: $16.99

My relatives are taking me to my first Midnight Mass on Christmas Eve. I was raised as a Methodist so this is my first Catholic Mass. How dressy are they? Would khakis and a sweater be acceptable or do I need a shirt and tie?

I wear a suit, my church tends to be business attire, skirts at minimum below the knee, pants, yes men typically wear ties.

God Bless

2008-12-24 19:24:59 by Agent 007

Price: $16.99

I understand the basic premise of incense, that it is symbolic of prayers lifting toward Heaven; however, I find the ritual of slinging the incense canister (for lack of a better word) down the isle and at the priest a set number of times, distracting. The smoke can irritate the nose and lungs. I am curious as to what people who attend Mass (both Catholic and non-Catholic) think about it.

I think it adds a lot to the beauty and the dignity of the Mass. I like it. I know that some people are allergic to it, and that's very regrettable.

Incense is one of the reasons that the Catholic Church is known as "the Church of smells and bells". Catholic worship can appeal to several of our senses.

2009-06-08 10:17:06 by txofficer2005

In Catholic mass, the priest mixes water with wine prior to serving it as the blood of Jesus Christ. What does the water symbolize?

Before the wine is consecrated, the priest or deacon adds a drop of water into the wine in the chalice.

The wine represents the divine nature of Christ

The water represents the human nature of Christ.

So that the mixing of the water and wine into one signifies the Incarnation of Christ.

And also the Crucifixion, when blood and water poured from His pierced side.

With love in Christ.

2008-09-22 12:56:37 by Ironsix