Comment: Catholic liturgy calls for the involvement of the whole person, spirit, soul and body. The bodily postures that the congregation adopts at Mass-- whether standing, kneeling, or sitting--accord with the nature of the rites being celebrated. Before Mass begins, members of the congregation or assembly, once they have entered the church and genuflected in adoration before the tabernacle, normally sit in silence in their pew, perhaps after kneeling briefly to offer a few preparatory prayers. As Mass begins with the entrance song and procession, all stand in acknowledgement that Christ, the High Priest, is present in the Eucharistic assembly to lead it in the worship of His heavenly Father. The congregation remains standing throughout the Mass's Introductory Rites: the Sign of the Cross and Greeting, the Act of Penitence, the Gloria, and the Collect. These rites dispose the congregation to a grateful and attentive reception of the word of God that will be proclaimed in the Liturgy of the Word that follows.

Introductory Rites

Greeting

P: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.

C: Amen

Comment: Depending on the day, or time of year, the Priest says one of the followings:

Form A

P. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

C: And with your spirit

Form B

P. Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

C: And with your spirit.

Form C

The Lord be with you. (or a Bishop says "Peace be with you")

C: And with your spirit.

Penitential Act Comment: The Priest, or a Deacon, or another minister, may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day. Depending on the day, or time of year, the Priest recites one of the following, inviting the faithful to make the Penitential Act:

Form A

P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. A: I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (And, striking their breast, they say:) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; 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.

P: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

C: Amen

Form B

P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.

Have mercy on us, O Lord.

C: For we have sinned against you.

P: Show us, O Lord, your mercy.

C: And grant us your salvation.

P: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

C: Amen.

Form C

P: Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries. A brief pause for silence follows. The Priest, or a Deacon or another minister, then says the following or other invocations* with:

P: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.

C: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.

P: You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy. or Christe, eleison

C: Christ have mercy. or Christe, eleison

P: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.

C: Lord have mercy. or Kyrie, eleison.

P: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.

C: Amen

If A or B was used then choose either of the following: (Omit if form C of the Penitential Act was used)

P: Lord have mercy.

C: Lord have mercy.

P: Christ have mercy.

C: Christ have mercy.

P: Lord have mercy.

C: Lord have mercy.

P: Kyrie, eleison.

C: Kyrie, eleison.

P: Christe, eleison.

C: Christe, eleison.

P: Kyrie, eleison.

C: Kyrie, eleison.

Gloria

(Comment: The congregation remains standing. Then, when it is prescribed, this hymn is either sung or said: (Omit during Advent and Lent)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Comment: The congregation remains standing.

P: Let us pray ... (prayer)

And all pray in silence with the Priest for a while. Then the Priest, with hands extended, says the Collect prayer, at the end of which the people acclaim: C: Amen.