Words to know
One word from each moment of the Mass, and what it means.
- assembly
Everyone gathered for Mass. All of us take part, each in our own way (CCC 1348).
From 3. Sign of the Cross and greeting
- collect
The opening prayer of the Mass, which changes from day to day. Say it COL-lect.
From 6. The opening prayer- Communion
“union with”: with Christ, and through him with each other (CCC 1331).
From 19. Holy Communion
- doxology
A short prayer giving glory to the Trinity, like “Through him, and with him, and in him” (GIRM 79h).
From 15. Mystery of Faith and the Great Amen
- embolism
The priest’s prayer put in after the Our Father (“Deliver us, Lord…”), from the Greek for “something inserted” (GIRM 81; Catholic Encyclopedia).
From 16. The Our Father- Eucharist
From the Greek for “thanksgiving” (CCC 1328).
From 13. “Lift up your hearts” and Holy, Holy, Holy
- fraction
The breaking of the Host, from the Latin for “breaking” (GIRM 83).
From 18. Lamb of God
- Gospel
“good news” (Catholic Encyclopedia). The four Gospels are Matthew, Mark, Luke and John.
From 8. Alleluia and the Gospel
- homily
From the Greek for “conversation” (Catholic Encyclopedia). It’s always given by a priest or deacon.
From 9. The homily
- Incarnation
God the Son becoming man, taking flesh from the Virgin Mary (CCC 461).
From 10. The Creed- intercession
Praying on behalf of someone else (CCC 2634–2635).
From 11. The Prayer of the Faithful
- Kyrie eleison
Greek for “Lord, have mercy”. Even the Latin Mass keeps it in Greek (Catholic Encyclopedia).
From 4. “Lord, have mercy”
- Lectionary
The book of Bible readings for Mass. On Sundays it runs in a three-year cycle (Lectionary for Mass, Introduction 66).
From 7. The readings and the psalm
- mission
From the same Latin root as “Mass”: being sent to do God’s will in daily life (CCC 1332).
From 21. Blessing and sending out
- Offertory
The bringing of the bread and wine to the altar (CCC 1350).
From 12. The gifts are brought up
- pax
Latin for “peace”. In Latin the priest says “Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum”.
From 17. The sign of peace
- sacrament
A sign given by Christ that really gives the grace it shows (CCC 1131). The Eucharist is one of seven.
From 20. Quiet thanks- sanctuary
The area where the altar stands and the Word of God is proclaimed (GIRM 295).
From 2. The entrance- solemnity
The highest rank of feast day, such as Christmas, Easter or the Assumption (Universal Norms on the Liturgical Year 10–12).
From 5. Glory to God
- tabernacle
The locked box where the Eucharist is kept after Mass, for the sick and for prayer (CCC 1379).
From 1. Coming in- transubstantiation
The Church’s word for this change: what the bread and wine really are becomes Jesus, while how they look, taste and feel stays the same.
From 14. The Consecration