The document provides an overview of the parts and structure of the Catholic Mass, describing the liturgical elements in each section: Liturgy of the Word, Liturgy of the Eucharist, and Concluding Rites. It compares the basic shape of the Mass to a communal meal, with gathering, storytelling, sharing food and drink, and sending forth. Key parts include readings from scripture, homily, creed, prayers, preparation of gifts, Eucharistic prayer, and communion rite.

1. A Walk Through the Mass A Step by Step Explanation

6. Sacrosanctum Concilium The Easter Triduum as One At the Last Supper, on the night when he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his body and blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries until he should come again and in this way to entrust to his beloved Bride, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection : a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet ‘ in which Christ is eaten , the heart is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us ” ” ( Sacrosanctum Concilium (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy) , #42). Holy Thursday Good Friday Easter Sunday

7. The Basic Shape It is a Meal 1) The basic “shape” of the ritual of the Mass can be described as a meal. This is not to say it is “just another meal” or that we are ignoring the Mass as sacrifice. Not at all. The point is, the shape of the Mass, even when viewed as sacrifice, is that of a meal. For our purposes, we can be greatly helped in our “walk through” the Mass if we remember this basic “meal shape.” 2) When friends gather for a meal, they sit and talk: Eventually they move to the table, say grace, pass the food and eat and drink, and finally take their leave and go home. On our walk through the Mass we will follow this same map: we will see ritual acts of 1) gathering, 2) storytelling, 3) meal sharing and 4) commissioning.

8. The Basic Shape It is a Sacrifice And yet, “He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the Cross throughout the centuries ”. And so, when we celebrate the Mass, we remember (anamnesis  the sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. We recall that new life comes out of death. We have human examples: we eat dead things to stay alive, we “rise” from the death of sleep, and we witness how decaying things enable plants to grow. Think of this quote: “ Money is like manure; it’s not worth a thing unless it’s spread around encouraging young things to grow .” - Thornton Wilder

9. Christ is Present Sacrosanctum Concilium 7. To accomplish so great a work, Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of His minister , "the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered himself on the cross" [ 20 ], but especially under the Eucharistic species . By His power He is present in the sacraments, so that when a man baptizes it is really Christ Himself who baptizes [ 21 ]. He is present in His word , since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings , for He promised: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20) .

11. The Gloria The Gloria is sung or said on Sundays outside the Seasons of Advent and Lent, on solemnities and feasts, and at special celebrations of a more solemn character.

12. Opening Prayer. At the close of this first part of the Mass the priest will ask us to join our minds in prayer, and after a few moments of silence he will collect our intentions into one prayer to which we all respond “Amen,” a Hebrew word for “So be it.” A Walk Through the Mass.

14. Responsorial Psalm The Responsorial Psalm fosters meditation on the Word of God.

15. The Alleluia The Alleluia is sung in every season except Lent.

16. The Gospel The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word. The Liturgy itself teaches that great reverence is to be shown to it by setting it off from the other readings with special marks of honor: whether the minister appointed to proclaim it prepares himself by a blessing or prayer; or the faithful, standing as they listen to it being read, through their acclamations acknowledge and confess Christ present and speaking to them; or the very marks of reverence are given to the Book of the Gospels. (GIRM, 60)