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Parts of the Catholic Mass?

Introductory Rites
This is the section of the Mass begining the mass and preceding the Liturgy of the Word that confers a quality of preparation and introduction on the Eucharistic Sacrifice. The intent is that the assembled group unite as a community properly prepared to hear God's Word and celebrate the Eucharist. Includes the following:

• Entrance Song
• Greeting
• Penitential Rite (Rite of Blessing & Sprinkling)
• Kyrie (Lord, Have Mercy)
• Gloria (Glory to God)
• Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

Liturgy of the Word - The major part of the Mass between the Opening Prayer and the preparation of the Gifts during which the Word of God is proclaimed, responded to, explained, accepted and held fast, and appealed to. Includes the following:

• First Reading
• Responsorial Psalm
• Second Reading
• Gospel Acclamation (Alleluia)
• Gospel Reading
• Homily
• Silence
• Profession of Faith (Nicene Creed) or (Apostles' Creed - Children Only)
• General Intercessions (Prayer of the Faithful)
  • Church
  • Public Authorities
  • Salvation of the World (Oppressed)
  • Local Community

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The major part of the Mass after the Liturgy of the Word and ending before the Concluding Rite. This part corresponds to the words and actions of Christ at the Last Supper. Christ took bread and the cup, gave thanks, broke, and gave them to His disciples saying: "Take and eat; this is My Body. Take and drink; This is the cup of My Blood. Do this in memory of Me."

Preparation of the Gifts (Presentation)
The priest prepares the altar and the gifts, prays over the bread and wine, and helps the assembly get ready for the tremendous Sacrifice that will take place in an unbloody manner. Includes the following:

• Offertory Song
• Presentation of the Gifts
• Preparation of the Altar
• Preparation of the Bread
• Preparation of the Wine
• Washing of Hands
• Invitation to Prayer
• Prayer over the Gifts

Eucharistic Prayer
This is the center and high point of the Mass that makes Christ present for us in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection. During it, the entire assembly joins Christ in acknowledging the works of God and in the offering of Sacrifice. Includes the following:

• Introductory Dialogue
• Preface
• Sanctus
• Eucharistic Prayer
  • Thanksgiving
  • Acclamation
  • Epiclesis - Ask God to consecrate the Host & Wine
  • Institution - Narrative and Consecration
  • Anamnesis - Command of Christ through the Apostles
  • Offering
  • Intercessions
  • Final Doxology
• Memorial Acclamation
• Great Amen

Communion Rite
It is part when God gives a gift to Him. In both cases the gift is the same Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Savior of the world. Includes the following:

• The Lord's Prayer
• Rite of Peace (Sign of Peace)
• Fraction Rite
  • Breaking of the Bread
  • Commingling
  • Agnus Dei (Lamb of God)
  • Personal Prayer
• Communion
• Silent Prayer
• Prayer after Communion  

Concluding Rite
Immediately after the Communion Rite, should there be any announcements, these are made, but should be kept brief. Then just as the people were greeted at the beginning of the Mass, so now the presider greets the people again and blesses them in one of three forms, the simple one, or at his discretion a more solemn Blessing, particularly at various seasons or on specific feast days, or a Prayers over the people. Includes the following:

• Blessing
• Dismissal

A Glossary of Terms for Initiation

Catechesis: The instruction and spiritual formation of catechumens and those persons already baptized who seek full communion with the Catholic Church.

Catechumenate: The process of a determined period of time by which the Church helps unbaptized adults to prepare for the sacraments of Christian Initiation.

Catechumen: A person admitted to the catechumenate, seeking formal entry into the Church.

Competentes: Those catechumens who have been elected and admitted into the Lenten period of final preparation for the sacraments of initiation (synonym: Elect).

Elect: A catechumen who has been found worthy by the community of faith and/or its representatives to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation (synonym: Competentes)

Election: The process of selecting those catechumens who are considered ready and worthy to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation; the celebration (ordinarily the First Sunday of Lent) wherein the Bishop or his delegate ratifies the selection process of the parish.

Enlightenment: The period of Lent when the elect are involved in the final stage of preparation for celebrating the rites of initiation (synonym: illumination).

Enrollment: The rite of celebrating the inscription into the “book of the elect” of the names of those catechumens elected to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation (synonym: inscription).

Ephpheta: The rite in which the celebrant touches the ears and the mouth of the elect and prays that they are open to hear and proclaim the word of God in faith.

Exorcisms: Prayers said over the elect during the scrutinies that they might be delivered from the power of evil and falsehood and receive the gifts of the Lord, especially the Spirit.

Evangelization: The activity of the Church whereby a first proclamation of the Gospel is made to those persons inquiring about the faith.

Godparent (s): The person(s) selected by the elect, with the consent of the pastor, to accompany them during the rites of initiation.

Illumination: That time, ordinarily coinciding with the Lenten season, devoted to the final preparation for the celebration of the sacraments of initiation (synonym: purification, enlightenment).

Immersion: A method of baptism in which the candidate is submerged either entirely or partially in the baptismal water.

Infusion: A method of baptism in which the baptismal water is poured over the head of the candidate.

Initiation: The process by which a person enters the faith life of the Church – from the catechumenate through the normally continuous celebration of the entrance rite of baptism, confirmation, and the Eucharist.

Inquirers: Persons who sincerely seek to learn about the faith of the Church.

Inscription: The rite in which the names of the elect who are to take part in the next celebration of the sacraments of initiation are written in the register, “the book of the elect.”

Mystagogia: The postbaptismal catechesis given to the newly baptized during the Easter season, wherein the neophyte and the local Church share the meaning of the initiatory mysteries and experience.

Neophyte: A newly baptized person who has completed the final period of Christian initiation: the postbaptismal catechesis (see: mystagogia).

Oil of Catechumens: The oil, blessed by the bishop at the Chrism Mass (or for pastoral reasons by the priest before the anointing) to be used in the anointing of the catechumens during the process of initiation.

Periods: Times of investigation and maturation marking the initiation process:
1. Period of evangelization and precatechumenate
2. The period of catechumenate
3. The period of purification and enlightenment
4. The period of postbaptismal catechesis.

Postbaptismal: After baptism.

Purification: That period which normally falls in lent and begins with the rite of election, when the elect and the local community give themselves to spiritual recollection in preparation for the feast of Easter and the sacraments of initiation.

Register: The book in which the names of the catechumens, along with those of the minister and sponsors and the date and place of admission into the catechumenate, are recorded.

Rites of Purification: The rites in which the Church hands on to the elect its ancient document of faith and prayer:
The profession of faith or the creed (symbol) and the Lord’s Prayer.

Rites of Transition: Various rites that may be used between the stages of the catechumenate, even, if circumstances demand, anticipating those ordinarily celebrated with the elect.

Scrutiny: Rites celebrated by the priest or deacon with the elect on the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Sundays of Lent, petitioning for the spirit of repentance and understanding of sin and the true freedom of the children of God.
Sponsors

Confirmation Sponsor: Those people chosen by the candidate to accompany the candidates when they seek admission into the catechumenate and remain with them to oversee their progress during the catechumenate process until the rite of election. They may also be selected as godparents.

Parish Sponsor: Those people chosen by the parish to accompany the candidates when they seek admission into the catechumenate and remain with them to oversee their progress during the catechumenate process thru the
Mystagogia phase.

Stages: The steps through which the catechumen moves forward to full initiation. The process of adult initiation includes three stages:
1. When the Church accepts a person as a catechumen
2. When a person becomes one of the “elect” and begins the more immediate preparation for the sacraments of initiation.
3. When a person receives the sacraments of initiation.

Sympathizer: Those people seeking to know more about the Christian faith (synonym: inquirers).