Prayers for all Occasions, Needs, and Intentions

HOLY MASS - A SACRIFICE OR CELEBRATION

The Catholic Mass

PRINCIPAL PARTS OF THE MASS

The Holy Mass really consists of two services.

The First Part, from the Prayers at the foot of the Altar to the Creed inclusively, is a service of prayer and instruction called "Mass of the Catechumens," because, during the early centuries of Christianity, people under instruction, but not yet baptized (Catechumens), were excluded from the Eucharistic sacrifice.

The Second Part, called "Mass of the Faithful," because only the baptized were permitted to assist, is the Eucharistic sacrifice. This part, beginning with the Offertory Verse and continuing until the end of Mass, is the service of sacrifice, the un-bloody sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ, the sacramental renewal of His sacrifice on Calvary.