What is the Mass, and how does it unfold?

9 min

Awaiting theological review

The simple answer

The Mass is the prayer Jesus left to his Church on the night before he died. At every Mass Catholics listen to the word of God, and the one sacrifice of Jesus on the cross is made present, not repeated, in the bread and wine that become his Body and Blood; then they receive him in Communion. Everywhere in the world, in every language, it has the same shape: the gathering, the Word, the Eucharist and the sending. Below is each part in order: what happens, what it means and where its words come from.

In the Bible

Scripture

At the Last Supper Jesus took bread and the cup, gave thanks, gave them to his disciples as his Body and his Blood, and told them to do this in memory of him.

Luke 22:19–20

Scripture

Paul hands on to the Corinthians what he received from the Lord about the Supper: every time they eat this bread and drink the cup, they proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes.

1 Corinthians 11:23–26

Scripture

The first Christians devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles, to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to the prayers.

Acts of the Apostles 2:42

Scripture

On the road to Emmaus the risen Jesus first explains the Scriptures, then is recognised in the breaking of the bread: the two great parts of the Mass.

Luke 24:27 · Luke 24:30–35

Where it comes from

Early Christian source

Around the year 100, the Didache asks Christians to gather on the Lord's day to break bread and give thanks, after confessing their sins.

Didache 9–10 and 14(awaiting verification)

Early Christian source

Around 155, Justin Martyr described the Sunday gathering to the emperor: readings from the apostles and prophets, a homily, prayers, the kiss of peace, bread and wine brought forward, a long prayer of thanksgiving answered with Amen, Communion, and a collection for the poor.

Justin Martyr, First Apology 65–67(awaiting verification)

Historical context

The word Mass comes from the Latin dismissal at the end, Ite, missa est: the faithful are sent out to live what they have celebrated.

Historical context

After the Second Vatican Council the Roman Missal was revised and Mass came to be celebrated in the language of the people; the new Missal was published in 1970. The older form, in Latin, is still celebrated in some places.

What the Church teaches

Catechism

The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life: in it Christ himself, our Pasch, is contained.

CCC 1324

Catechism

The Mass is one single act of worship in two great parts, the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, with the same fundamental structure since the second century.

CCC 1345 CCC 1346

Catechism

The Eucharist is a sacrifice because it makes present the sacrifice of the cross: the same victim, offered in a different manner, without the shedding of blood.

CCC 1366 CCC 1367

Catechism

In the Eucharist the Body and Blood of Christ, together with his soul and divinity, are truly, really and substantially present.

CCC 1374

The Mass, part by part

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1. Entrance and greeting
Introductory rites. People stand. The priest and ministers come in, often during a song; the priest kisses the altar, and all make the Sign of the Cross. He greets the people with a greeting taken from Scripture, wishing that the Lord be with them, and they answer.
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2. Asking for mercy
All admit that they are sinners and ask God's mercy, with the I confess or with Lord, have mercy (Kyrie, Greek words kept from the early Church, like the cries of the blind and the sick in the Gospels). On Sundays it may be replaced by the sprinkling with holy water, a reminder of Baptism.
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3. Gloria
On Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and on solemnities and feasts, all sing or say the Gloria, which begins with the song of the angels at Bethlehem (Luke 2:14).
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4. Opening prayer (Collect)
The priest invites all to pray; after a moment of silence he gathers everyone's prayers into one, and all answer Amen.
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5. First reading and Psalm
Liturgy of the Word. People sit. A reader proclaims a passage, usually from the Old Testament (in the Easter season, from the Acts of the Apostles), and a Psalm is sung or said, with a short response repeated by all.
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6. Second reading
On Sundays and solemnities, a passage from the letters of the apostles. On Sundays the readings follow a three-year cycle, so that much of the Bible is heard.
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7. Gospel
All stand and sing the Alleluia (in Lent, another acclamation). The deacon or priest reads the Gospel; before it people trace a small cross on the forehead, the lips and the heart, asking that the word be in the mind, on the lips and in the heart.
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8. Homily
People sit. The priest or deacon explains the readings and helps apply them to life today.
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9. Creed
On Sundays and solemnities all stand and profess the faith of the Church with the Nicene Creed or the Apostles' Creed. At the words about the Incarnation, all bow.
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10. Prayer of the faithful
The community prays for the Church, for the world, for those who suffer and for the local community, answering each petition together.
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11. Preparation of the gifts
Liturgy of the Eucharist. Bread and wine are brought to the altar, often with the collection for the Church and the poor. The priest prepares them, washes his hands and says the prayer over the offerings.
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12. Eucharistic Prayer
The heart of the Mass. After the dialogue in which the priest invites all to lift up their hearts, all sing the Holy, holy, holy (Isaiah 6:3, with the Hosanna of Palm Sunday, Matthew 21:9). The priest asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit, and repeats the words of Jesus at the Last Supper: the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ, and he raises them for all to adore. The prayer continues for the Church, the living and the dead, with Mary and the saints, and ends with the great Amen. In many countries people kneel for the consecration.
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13. The Our Father and the sign of peace
Communion rite. All stand and pray the prayer Jesus taught. The priest prays for peace, and people may offer one another a sign of peace. While the host is broken, all sing or say the Lamb of God, the words of John the Baptist (John 1:29).
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14. Communion
Before receiving, all repeat the words of the centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant (Matthew 8:8). Catholics prepared to receive come forward and answer Amen to the Body of Christ, in the hand or on the tongue. Those who do not receive may stay in their place or, where it is the custom, come forward with arms crossed for a blessing. A time of silence and the prayer after Communion follow.
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15. Blessing and sending
Concluding rites. After any notices, the priest blesses the people in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and the deacon or priest sends them out in peace. From this sending comes the name of the Mass.

A common misunderstanding

At Mass the priest sacrifices Jesus again, as if the cross were not enough.

In fact

Jesus died once for all. The Mass does not repeat or add to the cross: it makes that one sacrifice present, so that every generation can take part in it (CCC 1366–1367). That is why the Church speaks of a memorial, in the strong biblical sense of the word.

Why it matters today

Next time you go, choose one part to follow closely: the Gospel, the words of consecration, or the moment before Communion when we repeat the words of the centurion. Arriving a few minutes early and reading the Sunday readings beforehand changes how much you take in. Standing, sitting and kneeling vary a little from country to country: follow the people around you.

Bible passages

Luke 22:19–20 · 1 Corinthians 11:23–26 · Acts of the Apostles 2:42 · Luke 24:30–35 · Luke 2:14 · Isaiah 6:3 · John 1:29 · Matthew 8:8

Catechism

CCC 1324; 1345; 1346; 1366; 1367; 1374 ↗