Part 4 of 4

We are sent

Concluding Rites

At Emmaus: The two friends set out at once and hurry back to Jerusalem to tell the others (Luke 24:33–35).

21Blessing and sending out

What you’ll see: any short announcements; the priest blessing everyone; the dismissal; the priest kissing the altar; the procession going out.

The priest blesses us and sends us out. “Mass” comes from the Latin missa, the sending out: Mass doesn’t stop at the church door, because now we live it during the week.

Do Stand; make the Sign of the Cross at the blessing; sing; genuflect towards the tabernacle on your way out.

Say “Amen” to the blessing. To “Go forth, the Mass is ended” (or “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord”, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life”, “Go in peace”): “Thanks be to God.”

Did you know?

How many kisses does the priest give at Mass, when there’s no deacon?

For parentsThe theology behind this moment, and where every fact comes from

Worth knowing

Pick one way to live this Sunday’s Gospel during the week, and read next Sunday’s Gospel together the night before Mass. Tip

Where this comes from

Teaching “Mass” comes from the Latin missa, the sending out: we’re sent to do God’s will in our daily lives (CCC 1332).
Teaching We’re dismissed “so that each may go out to do good works, praising and blessing God” (GIRM 90).
Teaching Christ is a king who serves; we share his kingship by serving, especially the poor and suffering (CCC 786).
Tip Linking this part to “King”.
“Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19).

What the labels mean: Teaching, Tradition and Tip.