The Order of Mass

Before Mass begins

The priest and servers enter and the priest goes to the foot of the altar. The opening prayers are said there, quietly, before he goes up.

The Mass of the Catechumens

• Prayers at the foot of the altar — Psalm 42, said between the priest and the servers.
• Introit — the opening chant, proper to the day.
• Kyrie — a plea for mercy, in Greek. The only Greek in the Mass.
• Gloria — omitted in penitential seasons.
• Collect — the prayer of the day.
• Epistle, Gradual, Gospel — the readings and the chants between them.
• Sermon — in the language of the place.
• Creed — on Sundays and greater feasts.

The Mass of the Faithful

• Offertory — bread and wine are prepared and offered.
• Preface and Sanctus — the congregation joins the angels' song.
• The Canon — said quietly. The bell is rung at the consecration.
• Pater Noster — the Our Father, sung or said by the priest.
• Agnus Dei and Communion.
• Postcommunion and dismissal.
• Last Gospel — the opening of St. John's Gospel, said at the altar.

Going deeper: a free video series on the Mass

The Society of St. Pius X's US District produces "The Catholic Mass," a free, ongoing video series — about 50 episodes — walking through the history, theology, and spirituality of the traditional Mass in more depth than fits on this page. The SSPX is a traditionalist priestly society whose canonical status is irregular — its priests are validly ordained, but it does not currently have the Church's canonical approval to operate as a full diocese or institute (see "What is the SSPX?").

• Full series — sspxpodcast.com/mass