THE ORDINARY OF THE MASS
SUNDAY AFTER THE ASCENSION
Beginning Of Mass (kneel)
The Priest (P) standing at the foot of the Altar, makes the Sign of the Cross, and says, alternately with the server (S):
In The Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen
P. I will go in to the altar of God.
S. The God of my gladness and joy.
PSALM 42*
*This Ps. 42 with the Antiphon, is omitted in Masses for the Dead, and from Passion Sunday until Holy Thursday inclusive.
Our Joy And Confidence In God
Do me justice, O God, and fight my fight against a faithless people; from the deceitful and impious man rescue me.
S. For You, O God, are my strength. Why do You keep me so far away? Why must I go about in mourning, with enemy oppressing me?
P. Send forth Your light and Your fidelity; they shall lead me on and bring me to Your holy mountain and to Your dwelling-place.
S. Then will I go in to the altar of God, the God of my gladness and joy.
P. Then will I give You thanks upon the harp, O God, my God! Why are you so downcast, O my soul? Why do you sigh within me?
S. Hope in god! for I shall again be thanking Him, in the presence of my Savior and my God.
P. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit.
S. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
The Antiphon Is Repeated:
P. I will go in to the altar of God.
S. The god of my gladness and joy.
P. Out help is in the Name of the Lord.
S. Who made heaven and earth.
P. I confess to Almighty God, etc.
S. May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life everlasting.
P. Amen.
Our Confession To God
I confess to Almighty God, to Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, to Blessed Michael the Archangel, to Blessed John the Baptist, to the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and to all the Saints, and to you, Father, that I have sinned exceedingly in thought, word and deed, (strike breast three times, saying:) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault. Therefore I beseech Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, Blessed Michael the Archangel, Blessed John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and all the Saints, and you, Father, to pray to the Lord our God for me.
P. May Almighty God have mercy on you, forgive you your sins, and bring you to life everlasting.
S. Amen.
Our Petition For Remission Of Sins
May the Almighty and Merciful Lord grant us pardon, absolution, and remission of our sins.
S. Amen.
P. Will You not, O god, give us life?
S. And shall not Your people rejoice in You?
P. Show us, O Lord, Your kindness.
S. and grant us Your salvation.
P. O Lord, hear my prayer.
S. And let my cry come to You.
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. Let us pray.
Our Prayer For Purity
Take away from us our sins, O Lord, we beseech You, that we may enter with pure minds into the Holy of Holies. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Our Sorrow For Sin
We beseech You, O Lord, by the merits of Your saints whose relics are here, and of all the Saints; deign in Your mercy to pardon me all my sins. Amen.
I. MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS
Standing at the right side (Epistle side) of the Altar, the Priest reads the "Introit" which belongs to the Changeable parts of the Mass.
INTROIT. Ps. 26, 7. 8. 9.
Hear, O Lord, the sound of my call, alleluia; to You my heart speaks, Your glance I seek; Your presence, O Lord, I seek; hide not Your face from me, alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 26, 1. The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom should I fear?
Glory be...
Amen.
The Introit is repeated up to the Psalm verse (Ps.) in all Masses throughout the year. The Gloria is omitted during Advent, except on Feast days when the color of the vestments is not Purple.
THE KYRIE
We Beg The Holy Trinity For Mercy
P. Lord, have mercy.
S. Lord, have mercy.
P. Lord, have mercy.
S. Christ, have mercy.
P. Christ, have mercy.
S. Christ, have mercy.
P. Lord, have mercy.
S. Lord, have mercy.
P. Lord, have mercy.
THE GLORIA
Our Hymn Of Praise
Glory to God in the highest. And on earth peace to men of good will. We praise You. We bless You. We adore You. We glorify You. We give You thanks for Your great glory. O Lord God, heavenly King, God the Father Almighty. O Lord Jesus Christ, the Only begotten son. O Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father; You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us. You Who take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer. You Who sit at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. for You alone are holy. You alone are the Lord. Your alone, O Jesus Christ, are most high. Together with the Holy Spirit in the glory of God the Father. Amen.
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. Let us pray.
THE PRAYER
Our Prayer Of Petition To God
Almighty and everlasting God, grant us both ever to have a will devoted to You, and to serve Your Majesty with a sincere heart. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
P. God, world without end.
S. Amen.
After having read the one or more Prayers of the day, he continues to read the "Epistle," "Gradual" and "Alleluia" or "Tract."
EPISTLE. 1 Pet. 4, 7-11.
Beloved: Be prudent and watchful in prayers. But above all things have a constant mutual charity among yourselves; for charity covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without murmuring. According to the gift that each has received, administer it to one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let it be as with words of God. If anyone ministers, let it be as from the strength that God furnishes; that in all things God may be honored through Jesus Christ our Lord.
During Paschaltime, the Gradual and the Tract are omitted and the following Alleluia is said:
Alleluia, alleluia. Ps. 46, 9.
The Lord reigns over all the nations, God sits upon His holy throne. Alleluia.
I will not leave you orphans; I go away and I come to you, and your heart shall rejoice.
Alleluia.
Prayer:
CLEANSE MY HEART
Cleanse my heart and my lips, O Almighty God, Who cleansed the lips of the Prophet Isaias with a burning coal. In Your gracious mercy deign so to purify me that I may worthily proclaim Your holy Gospel. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The following Prayer is omitted in Requiem Masses.
Lord, grant Your blessing. the be in my hear and on my lips, that I may worthily and fittingly proclaim His holy Gospel. Amen.
THE GOSPEL
Our Divine Instruction
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. The beginning of the holy gospel according to Saint Luke.
S. Glory be to You, O Lord.
GOSPEL. John 15, 26. 27; 16, 1-4.
At that time, Jesus said to His disciples: "When the Advocate has come, Whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth Who proceeds from the Father. He will bear witness concerning Me. And you also bear witness, because from the beginning you are with Me. These things I have spoken to you that you may not be scandalized. They will expel you from the synagogues. Yes, the hour is coming for everyone who kills you to think he is offering worship to God. And these things I have spoken to you, that when the time for them has come you may remember that I told you."
S. Praise be to You, O Christ.
The Priest (except in Requiem Masses) kisses the book and says:
P. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be taken away.
THE NICENE CREED
Our Profession Of Faith
I Believe in one God, the Father Almighty, Maker of heaven and earth, and of all things visible and invisible. And in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only-begotten Son of God. Born of the Father before all ages. God of God; Light of Light; true God of true God. Begotten not made; of one being with the Father; by Whom all things were made. Who for us men, and for our salvation, came down from heaven. (here all genuflect.) And was made Flesh by the Holy Spirit of the Virgin Mary; and was made man. He was also crucified for us, suffered under Pontius Pilate and was buried. And on the third day He rose again according to the Scriptures. And ascending into heaven, He sits at the right hand of the Father. And He shall come again in glory to judge the living and the dead; and of His kingdom there shall be no end. And I believe in the Holy Spirit, Lord and Giver of life, Who proceeds from the Father and the Son. Who together with the Father and the Son is no less adored, and glorified; Who spoke by the Prophets. And I believe in One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. I confess one Baptism for the remission of sins. And I look for the resurrection of the dead. And the life of the world to come. Amen.
S. Praise be to You, O Christ.
P. By the words of the Gospel may our sins be taken away.
II. MASS OF THE FAITHFUL
The Offertory
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. Let us pray.
Our Offering of Petition
OFFERTORY. Ps. 46. 6.
God mounts His throne amid shouts of joy; the Lord, amid trumpet blasts.
Alleluia.
Offertory Prayers
We Offer Ourselves To God
Accept, O Holy Father, Almighty and Eternal God, this spotless host, which I, Your unworthy servant offer to You, my living and true God, to atone for my numberless sins, offenses, and negligence's; on behalf of all here present and likewise for all faithful Christians living and dead, that it may profit me and them as a means of salvation to life everlasting. Amen.
Our Union With Christ
O God, Who established the nature of man in wondrous dignity, and still more admirably restored it, grant that through the mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His Divinity, who has condescended to become partaker of our humanity, Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord. who with You lives and reigns in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen
Our Prayer For The World
We offer You, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, humbly begging of Your mercy that it may arise before Your divine Majesty, with a pleasing fragrance, for our salvation and for that of the whole world. Amen.
We Ask God To Accept The Perfection Of Our Self-Offering
In A humble spirit and with a contrite heart, may we be accepted by You, O Lord, and may our sacrifice so be offered in Your sight this day as to please You, O Lord God.
Our Invocation To The Holy Spirit
Come, O Sanctifier, Almighty and Eternal God, and bless this sacrifice prepared for the glory of Your holy Name.
Washing The Fingers
I wash my hands in innocence, and I go around Your altar, O Lord, giving voice to my thanks, and recounting all Your wondrous deeds. O Lord, I love the house in which You dwell, the tenting-place of Your glory. Gather not my soul with those of sinners, nor my life with men of blood. On their hands are crimes, and their right hands are full of bribes. But I walk in integrity; redeem me, and have pity on me. My foot stands on level ground; in the assemblies I will bless You, O Lord.
The following "Glory be" is omitted in Requiem Masses and in Masses during Passion Time.
Glory be to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.
Our Offering To The Blessed Trinity
Accept, Most Holy Trinity, this offering which we are making to You in remembrance of the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ, our Lord; and in honor of Bless Mary, ever Virgin, Bless John the Baptist, the Holy Apostles, Peter and Paul, and of Saint Patrick and of all the Saints; that it may add to their honor and aid our salvation; an may they deign to intercede in heaven for us who honor their memory here on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Priest Reminds Us That We Offer With Him
Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may become acceptable to God the Father Almighty.
S. May the Lord accept this sacrifice from your hands to the praise and glory of His Name, for our advantage, and that of all His holy Church.
P. Amen.
The Secret
Our Offering Prayers
May this spotless sacrifice purify us, O Lord, and infuse into our minds the vigor of heavenly grace. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
S. Amen.
Preface-Canon
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. Lift up your hearts.
S. We have lifted them up to the Lord.
P. Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
S. It is fitting and just.
The following Preface of the Most Holy Trinity is said on all Sundays except on Feasts that have a proper Preface, and during Lent and Paschaltime.
Preface for Ascension
It is fitting indeed and just, right and helpful to salvation, for us always and everywhere to give thanks to You, O Holy Lord, Father Almighty, Everlasting God; through Christ our Lord. Who, after His Resurrection, appeared openly to all His disciples, and, while they looked on, was taken up into heaven, that He might grant unto us to be sharers in His own divinity. And therefore, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominations, and with the whole host of the heavenly army, we sing a hymn to Your glory, saying again and again:
Our Hymn Of Praise (kneel)
Here the bell is rung three times, announcing he beginning of the Canon.
Holy, Holy, Holy, Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are filled with Your glory. Hosanna in the highest, Blessed is He Who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Canon Of The Mass
We Pray For The Church
Therefore, most gracious Father, we humbly beg of You and entreat You through Jesus Christ Your son, our Lord (he kisses the altar) to deem acceptable and bless these gifts, these offerings, these holy and unspotted oblations which, in the first place, we offer You for Your Holy Catholic Church, that You would deign to give her peace and protection, to unite and guard her throughout the world, together with Your servant N, our Pope, and N, our bishop; all true believers who cherish the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.
Commemoration Of The Living
We Pray For The Living
Remember O Lord, Your servants and handmaids, N. and N.,
Pray for those you wish to remember
and all here present, whose faith and devotion are know to You, on whose behalf we offer to You, or who themselves offer to You, this sacrifice of praise for themselves, families and friends, for the good of their souls, for their hope of salvation and deliverance from all harm, and who offer their homage to You, Eternal, Living and True God.
Commemoration Of The Saints
We Ask The Intercession Of The Saints
In the unity of holy fellowship we observe the memory, first of all, of the glorious and ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our Lord and God Jesus Christ; next, that of Blessed Joseph, Spouse of the same Virgin, of Your Blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Thaddeus; of Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian, and of all Your Saints, by whose merits and prayers grant that we may be always fortified by the help of Your protection. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Renew Our Offering
Spreading his hands over the oblation, he says:
Graciously accept, then, we beseech You, O Lord, this service of our worship and that of all Your household. Provide that our days be spent in Your peace, save us from everlasting damnation, and cause us to be numbered in the flock You have chosen. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Ask God To Bless Our Offering
O God, deign to bless what we offer, and make it approved, effective, right, and wholly pleasing in every way, that it may become for our good, the Body and Blood of Your dearly beloved Son, Jesus Christ our Lord.
THE CONSECRATION
Consecration Of The Host
Who, the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and having raised His eyes to heaven, to You, O God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to You, He blessed it, broke it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: All of you take and eat of this: For this is My Body.
When he elevates the sacred Host, look at It and say: My Lord and my God!
Consecration Of The Wine
In like manner, when the supper was done, taking also this goodly chalice into His holy and venerable hands, again giving thanks to You, He blessed it, and gave it to His disciples, saying: All of you take and drink of this; For this is the Chalice of My Blood of the new and eternal covenant; the mystery of faith; which shall be shed for you and for many unto the forgiveness of sins.
After replacing the chalice on the corporal, he says: As often as you shall do these things, in memory of Me shall you do them.
The Priest adores the Precious blood; you do likewise. The bell rings three times.
Offering Of The Victim
We Offer The Victim To God
Mindful, therefore, O God, not only of the blessed Passion of the same Christ, Your son, our Lord, but also of His Resurrection from the dead, and finally His glorious Ascension into heaven, we, Your ministers, as also Your holy people, offer to Your supreme Majesty, of the gifts bestowed upon us, the pure Victim, the holy Victim, the all perfect Victim; the holy Bread of life eternal and the chalice of unending salvation.
We Ask God To Accept Our Gift
And this deign to regard with gracious and kindly attention and hold acceptable, as You deigned to accept the offerings of Abel, Your just servant, and the sacrifice of Abraham our patriarch, and that which Your chief priest Melchisedec offered to You, a holy sacrifice and a spotless victim.
We Pray For Blessings
Most humbly we implore You, Almighty God, bid these offerings to be brought by the hands of Your holy angel to Your altar above; before the face of Your divine Majesty; that those of us who, by sharing in the Sacrifice of this altar, shall receive the most sacred Body and blood of Your Son, may be filled with every grace and heavenly blessing. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
Commemoration Of The Dead
We Pray For The Dead
Remember also, O Lord, Your servants and handmaids, N. and N., who have gone before us with the sign of faith, and rest in the sleep of peace.
Here pray for such of the dead as you wish
To these, O Lord, and to all who rest in Christ, we beseech You to grant of Your goodness, a place of comfort, light and peace. through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.
We Pray For Eternal Happiness
Striking his breast and slightly raising his voice for the first three words, he says:
To us sinners also, Your servants, trusting in the greatness of Your mercy, deign to grant some part and fellowship with Your holy Apostles and Martyrs; with John, Stephen, Matthias, Barnabas, Ignatius, Alexander, Marcellinus, Peter, Felicitas, Perpetua, Agatha, Lucy, Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia, and all Your Saints; into whose company, we implore You to admit us, not weighing our merits, but freely granting us pardon. Through Christ our Lord.
We Pray For Eucharistic Blessings
Through Whom, O Lord, You always create, sanctify, fill with life, bless, and bestow upon us all good things.
He uncovers the chalice and genuflects. Taking the Host in his right hand, and the chalice in his left, he makes the Sign of the Cross with the Host five times, saying:
The Minor Elevation
We Praise God In Union With Christ
Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, is to you, God the Father Almighty, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all honor and glory.
He elevates the chalice and the Sacred Host and then replaces them upon the corporal, covers the chalice, and genuflects, Rising again he says aloud:
P. World without end.
S. Amen.
The Communion and Thanksgiving
The complete "Our Father" (from Pater to Amen) may be recited aloud by the people with the Priest, but ONLY in Latin. The preparation for intimate union with Christ in Holy Communion fittingly begins with "The Lord's Prayer." The priest joins his hands, and says:
Let Us Pray
Prompted by saving precepts, and taught by Your divine teaching, we dare to say:
Our Father, Who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name; Thy kingdom come; Thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread; and forgive us our trespasses, as we forgive those who trespass against us. And lead us not into temptation.
S. But deliver us from evil.
P. Amen.
We Pray for God's Protection
He takes the paten between his first and second fingers, and says:
Deliver us, we beseech You, O Lord, from all evils, past, present, and to come; and by the intercession of the Blessed and glorious Mary, ever virgin, Mother of God, together with Your Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul, and Andrew, and all the Saints, grant of Your goodness, peace in our days, that aided by the riches of Your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all disturbance.
The Priest genuflects and breaks the Sacred Host in two over the chalice. He places the portion in his right hand on the paten and breaks off a particle from the portion in his left hand, saying:
Through the same our Lord, Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God.
P. World without end.
S. Amen.
P. May the peace of the Lord be always with you.
S. And with your spirit
He puts a small particle into the chalice, saying:
May this mingling and consecration of the body and Blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ help us who receive it to life everlasting. Amen.
We Pray For Forgiveness And Peace
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, You Who take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.
In Requiem Masses he says twice. Grant them rest; and lastly, Grant them eternal rest. Then inclining toward the Altar, with hands joined upon it, the Priest says the following:
Prayers Before Holy Communion
Our Prayer For Unity And Peace
The following prayer is omitted in Requiem Masses.
O Lord Jesus Christ, Who said to Your Apostles: "Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you," regard not my sins but the faith of Your church, and deign to give her peace and unity according to Your will; Who live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
Our Prayer For Holiness
O Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, Who, by the will of the Father, with the co-operation of the Holy spirit, have by Your death given life to the world, deliver me by this Your Most Sacred Body and blood from all my sins and from every evil. Make me always cling to Your commandments, and never permit me to be separated from You. Who with the same God the Father and the Holy Spirit, live and reign, God, world without end. Amen.
Our Prayer For A Worthy Communion
Let not the partaking of Your Body, O Lord Jesus Christ, which I, though unworthy, presume to receive, turn to my judgment and condemnation; but through Your goodness, may it become a safeguard and an effective remedy, both of soul and body. Who live and reign with God the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end. Amen.
Communion Of The Priest
I will take the Bread of heaven, and call upon the Name of the Lord.
Humility And Faith
Slightly inclining, he takes both parts of the Sacred Host and paten in his left hand; then, striking his breast with his right hand, he says three times:
Lord, I am not worthy that you should come under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul will be healed. (say 3 times.)
The Living Bread Of Heaven
Making the Sign of the Cross with the Sacred Heart, he says:
May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.
Act Of Hope
After consuming the Sacred Host, he uncovers the chalice, makes a genuflection, collects whatever particles may remain and puts them in the chalice, and gives thanks, saying:
What return shall I make to the Lord for all He has given me? I will take the Chalice of salvation, and I will call upon the Name of the Lord. Praising will I call upon the Lord and I shall be saved from my enemies.
Short Act Of Faith
Making the Sign of the Cross with the chalice, he says:
May the Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ, preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.
Communion Of The Faithful
To be free from mortal sin, to be fasting from solids (and alcohol) for three hours and from liquids for one hour, and to have a right intention, are the conditions for worthy reception of Holy Communion.
The Priest removes the ciborium from the Tabernacle and places it upon the corporal. He opens it, places the lid on the corporal and makes a genuflection. Then he takes a Sacred Host with his right hand and the ciborium with his left, and, turning to the people, says:
We Humbly confess Our Unworthiness
Behold the Lamb of God, behold Him Who takes away the sins of the world.
Lord, I am not worthy that You should come under my roof; but only say the word, and my soul will be healed. (say 3 times.)
When the Priest holds the Sacred Host before you, look at it and say: My Lord and my God!
Descending the steps, the Priest goes to the Altar rail and administers Holy Communion. Each time, he makes the Sign of the Cross with the Sacred Host and says to each person:
May the Body of our Lord Jesus Christ, preserve my soul to life everlasting. Amen.
The faithful who do not receive sacramentally should at least say the following act of Spiritual Communion:
My Jesus, I believe that You are in the Blessed Sacrament, I love You above all things, and I long for You in my soul. since I cannot now receive You sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. As though You have already come, I embrace You and unite myself entirely to You; never permit me to be separated from You.
Having finished distributing Communion, the Priest returns to the Altar in silence. He places the ciborium on the corporal and genuflects. After covering the ciborium with the lid and the veil, the Priest places it in the Tabernacle, genuflects and closes the Tabernacle. (If no Hosts remain in the ciborium, he does not place it in the Tabernacle, but purifies it at the same time as the chalice).
The Ablutions
We Adore God With Faith, Hope And Charity
What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what is given to us in time, be our healing for eternity.
We Pray For The Grace Of Holy Communion
He purifies his fingers with wine and water, saying:
May Your Body, O Lord, which have eaten, and Your Blood which I have drunk, cleave to my very soul, and grant that no trace of sin be found in me, whom these pure and holy mysteries have renewed. Who live and reign, world without end. Amen.
He consumes the ablution and wipes his lips and then the chalice, which he covers, and places in the center of the Altar.
Communion And Postcommunion
Prayers Of Gratitude And Petition
COMMUNION. John 17, 12. 13. 15.
Father, while I was with them, I kept them whom You have given Me, alleluia; but now I am coming to You: I do not pray that You take them out of the world, but that You keep them from evil, alleluia, alleluia.
Having said the Communion verse, the Priest kisses the Altar, and turning to the people, says:
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. Let us pray.
POSTCOMMUNION
Being replenished with the sacred gifts, grant us, we beseech You, O Lord, always to continue in thanksgiving. Through the same our Lord Jesus Christ, Your Son, Who lives and reigns with You in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God, world without end.
At the end of the Postcommunion the response is:
S. Amen.
FINAL PRAYERS
After the Postcommunion the Priest turns again toward the people, and says:
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
P. Go, you are dismissed.
S. Thanks be to God.
In Masses followed by a procession, the Priest turns to the Altar and says: Let us bless the Lord. S. Thanks be to God. In Requiem Masses he says: May they rest in peace. S. Amen. (In both cases the Last Blessing is omitted).
We Offer Our Worship To God
May the tribute of my worship be pleasing to You, most holy trinity, and grant that the sacrifice which I, all unworthy, have offered in the presence of Your Majesty, may be acceptable to You, and through Your mercy obtain forgiveness for me and all for whom I have offered it. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
He kisses the Altar, and facing the people, gives the blessing. (Omitted in Requiem and in Masses followed by a procession).
THE LAST BLESSING
The Priest Blesses Us In The Name Of The Blessed Trinity
May Almighty God bless you: the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
S. Amen.
THE LAST GOSPEL
Going to the Gospel side of the Altar, he says:
P. The Lord be with you.
S. And with your spirit.
The Priest and people make the Sign of the cross on forehead, lips and breast. Stand.
P. The beginning of the holy Gospel according to St. John.
S. Glory be to You, O Lord.
Christ The Son Of God Is The Light And Life Of Mankind
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God; and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him was made nothing that has been made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness; and the darkness grasped it not. There was a man, one sent from God, whose name was John. This man came as a witness, to bear witness concerning the Light, that might believe though Him. He was not himself the Light, but was to bear witness to the Light. It was true Light that enlightens every man who comes into the world. He was in the world, and the world was made by Him, and the world knew Him not. He came unto His own, and His own received Him not. But to as many as received Him He gave the power of becoming sons of God; to those who believe in His Name; who were born not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. AND THE WORD WAS MADE FLESH (genuflect), and dwelt among us. And we saw His glory, the glory as of the Only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.
S. Thanks be to God.