Catholic Mass: A Tutorial
Prayers throughout the Mass express beliefs of the Roman Catholic faith, the need for spiritual help, and gratitude for God’s love. Readings from Scripture and a homily (sermon) offer guidance for putting the Catholic faith into practice in everyday life.
Catholic Mass has two main parts: the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist:
Liturgy of the Word: Scripture readings from the Bible’s Old and New Testaments are proclaimed. At most Sunday Masses, three narrative readings are spoken, while a Responsorial Psalm may be sung. The priest’s homily explains the relevancy of these Scripture passages for the faithful today.
Liturgy of the Eucharist: Prayers during this part of the Catholic Mass prepare the faithful to receive the holy Eucharist—bread and wine that are blessed and become the Body and Blood of Christ. The Liturgy of the Eucharist is rooted in the Lord’s Last Supper with His disciples before the crucifixion.
FAQ’s About Catholic Mass
Does TV or online Mass fulfill the obligation to attend weekly Sunday Mass? For Catholics able to participate in a parish liturgy, the TV and online Mass does not fulfill the Sunday Mass obligation. One reason is that TV or online Mass does not include receiving the Eucharist.
Is it okay to skip Sunday Mass now and then? Holy Mass is the foundation of Catholic spiritual life, inviting the faithful to open themselves to an outpouring of God’s grace. Skipping Mass without a serious reason is a grave sin. Serious reasons include illness, dangerous weather, or an emergency, for example.
Can I receive Holy Communion in a Catholic church if I am not a baptized Catholic? Non-Catholics cannot receive Holy Communion (the sacramental Body and Blood of Christ consecrated at Mass). It is important to understand Catholic beliefs and other requirements before receiving Holy Communion, such as fasting for one hour, except for water and medicine, before Mass and being in a state of grace.
Why did some of the wording in the Mass change in late 2011? The English translation of The Roman Missal was updated to offer a more formal and literal translation from the Latin texts.
Are the Scripture readings at Mass from the Bible? Scripture readings are from the Lectionary for Mass for Use in the United States of America. The Lectionary text is based upon the New American Bible but is organized by Sunday. These Sunday readings repeat on a three-year cycle and do not cover the entire Bible.