THE SACRIFICE OF THE HOLY MASS

COMMUNION RITE

Communion Rite
Lord's Prayer

Comment: The congregation stands for the first two components of this rite, the recitation of the Lord's Prayer and the Rite of Peace. It remains standing for the Fraction, when the consecrated Bread is broken for distribution to the assembly, as the (Lamb of God) is sung or recited.

P: At the Savior’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

A: 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.

Doxology

P: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

Conclusion of Prayer

C: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

Sign of Peace

P: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles; Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever. C: Amen.

P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

C: And with your spirit.

If appropriate, the Deacon, or the Priest, adds: P: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Comment: If the priest says "Let us offer each other the sign of peace." The congregation turns to those near them and shakes hands or hugs them of some other appropriate gesture. The priest should not leave the sanctuary to greet people unless it is an extraordinary situation, such as a funeral Mass or a Mass with particular dignitaries present. And all offer one another a sign, in keeping with local customs, that expresses peace, communion, and charity. The Priest gives the sign of peace to a Deacon or minister.

Then he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly:

P: May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

Breaking of the Bread

A: 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.

P:Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, through your Death gave life to the world, free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood, from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments, and never let me be parted from you.

Or:

May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to judgment and condemnation, but through your loving mercy be for me protection in mind and body and a healing remedy.

Communion

Comment: The congregation usually remains kneeling until it is time to come forward to receive Holy Communion. The normal posture for receiving Communion in North America is standing, but kneeling is also acceptable. Communion may be received on the tongue directly from the priest or in the hand. If received in the hand, it should be eaten immediately. As a sign of reverence to our Lord in the sacrament, communicants bow their heads, or genuflect, as the communicant in front of them receives the Sacred Host. The same is done when receiving the Precious Blood from the chalice.

The Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice, while facing the people, says aloud:

P: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

A: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

After this, he takes the paten or ciborium and approaches the communicants. The Priest raises a host slightly and shows it to each of the communicants, saying: p: The Body of Christ.

The communicant replies: Amen.

And receives Holy Communion.

Comment: Customarily, after receiving Communion and returning to their pew or chair, communicants begin a period of prayerful meditation. There is no designated posture for this period of meditation. Some communicants prefer to remain kneeling. Some prefer to sit. P: What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.

Prayer After Communion - Then the Priest may return to the chair. If appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.

Then, standing at the altar or at the chair and facing the people, with hands joined, the Priest says:

P: Let us pray.

All pray in silence with the Priest for a while, unless silence has just been observed. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Prayer after Communion,

C: Amen.

Concluding Rite -

Blessing

Comment: Congregation remains standing. The priest recites one of the following:

In a Mass that is not Pontifical

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And with your spirit.

P: May almighty God bless you,

the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

In a Pontifical Mass

The celebrant receives the miter and, extending his hands, says:

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And with your spirit.

P: Blessed be the name of the Lord.

C: Now and for ever.

P: Our help is in the name of the Lord.

C: Who made heaven and earth. Then the celebrant receives the pastoral staff, if he uses it, and says:

P: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. C: Amen.

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Dismissal

Comment: Congregation remains standing. Then the Deacon, or the Priest himself, with hands joined and facing the people, says:

: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

Or:

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

Or:

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

Or:

Go in peace.

C: Thanks be to God.

Then the Priest venerates the altar as usual with a kiss, as at the beginning. After making a profound bow with the ministers, he withdraws. If any liturgical action follows immediately, the rites of dismissal are omitted.

THE SACRIFICE OF THE HOLY MASS