Father George has gladly responded to the first questions we received about mass, included below, with all three coming from the same family. He looks forward to hearing from each family and awaits more questions. Thank you!
While we consider all the why’s and how’s of the MASS, we also continue to focus on PRAYER, specifically fundamental, foundational memorized prayers, and the most common Catholic prayers. The catechists noticed last year that not all of our youth know by heart some of these prayers, so I have included them this week, along with Father’s response to the questions about mass. Peace be with you all!
Questions about mass answered by Father George:
Thanks for asking these questions, I am sure that these answers will help everyone to have better understanding of the Mass.
1) What are the various roles that laypeople can play in Mass and what is their purpose? By baptism all of us have become the children of God. All of us play different roles according to the gifts given by God. In the mass, the priest presides as a main celebrant, as a mediator between people and God by the sacrament of holy orders. Lay people also play important roles, by being altar servers, Lectors, Eucharistic ministers, Ushers, Greeters, and Gift bearers etc. etc. These are as equally important as the role played by the priest.
2) Does the “Lord, I am not worthy...” prayer right before Communion forgive our sins?
"Lord I am not worthy............., These are the words of a centurion to Jesus when He begged Jesus to heal his servant. This expresses our faith and humility in Jesus and prepares us to receive Jesus in the Eucharist. This is not forgiving our sins.
3) Are we still getting full communion when we just take the bread and not the cup?
Yes when one receives holy Eucharist, whether body (Bread), or part of the body (bread) alone, one is receiving Jesus fully. ** for example, when you look at yourself in the mirror you see yourself fully, when you drop that mirror and it breaks into countless pieces, and in each piece, you see yourself fully. Likewise whether you receive piece of the body alone or little blood alone you are fully receiving Jesus.
10 Prayers Every Catholic Child Should Know
Not all memorized, depending upon age, but at least have heard or prayed together with the family. Here is a mom of young children talking about teaching these prayers in the link below. We all need a prayer foundation upon which to grow, that we can fall back on when we are most in need of God’s grace, no matter what our age. There are many more we will learn over time, but these are a great start!
5 Basic Prayers for Young Children:
If your kids know these foundational prayers, you have passed the first level!
Pray them together as a family.
1 The Sign of the Cross
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
2 The Our Father
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, but deliver us from evil. Amen.
'The Lord's Prayer 'is truly the summary of the whole gospel.' 'Since the Lord... after handling over the practice of prayer, said elsewhere, 'Ask and you will receive, ' and since everyone has petitions which are peculiar to his circumstances, the regular and appropriate prayer (the Lord's Prayer) is said first, as the foundation of further desires.'
- Tertullian, De orat. from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2761.
3 Hail Mary
Hail Mary, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of our death.
Amen.
'Beginning with Mary's unique cooperation with the working of the Holy Spirit, the Churches developed their prayer to the holy Mother of God, centering it on the Person of Christ manifested in His mysteries. In countless hymns and antiphons expressing this prayer, two movements usually alternate with one another: the first 'magnifies' the Lord for the 'great things' He did for His lowly servant and through her for all human beings. The second entrusts the supplications and praises of the children of God to the Mother of Jesus, because she now knows the humanity which, in her, the Son of God espoused. '
- from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 2675.
4 The Glory Be
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.
'O the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and how inscrutable His ways! For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been His counselor? Or who has given a gift to Him that He might be repaid? For from Him and through Him and to Him are all things. To Him be glory for ever. Amen. '
- Romans 11: 33-36.
5 Grace Before Meals
Bless us, O Lord, and these Thy gifts, which we are about to receive from Thy bounty. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The next 2 are also fairly fundamental, taking family prayer to the next level:
6 Prayer to Your Guardian Angel
Angel of God, my guardian dear, To whom God's love commits me here, Ever this day, be at my side, To light and guard, Rule and guide.
Amen.
'From infancy to death human life is surrounded by their (the angels) watchful care and intercession. Beside each believer stands an angel as protector and shepherd leading him to life. Already here on earth the Christian life shares by faith in the blessed company of angels and men united to God. '
- from the Catechism of the Catholic Church; 336.
7 Act of Contrition
There are several versions of the Act of Contrition, depending upon when you learned it. This is why it is so hard for us to recite it as a Faith Formation group. Recite together as a family the version you know, and encourage your children who have received the sacrament of first reconciliation to pray it at bedtime.
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of Thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, Who art all-good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve, with the help of Thy grace, to sin no more and to avoid the near occasions of sin.
Or:
Act of Contrition
My God, I am sorry for my sins with all my heart. In choosing to do wrong and failing to do good, I have sinned against you whom I should love above all things. I firmly intend, with your help, to do penance, to sin no more, and to avoid whatever leads me to sin. Our Savior Jesus Christ suffered and died for us. In his name, my God, have mercy.
Or:
Act of Contrition
O my God, I am sorry for my sins because I have offended you. I know I should love you above all things. Help me to do penance, to do better, and to avoid anything that might lead me to sin. Amen.
Act of Contrition, Catholic Prayers http://www.yenra.com/catholic/prayers/actofcontrition.html
These last 3 are also foundational Catholic Prayers, but may not be common practice in your home. Give them a try these next few weeks. If you already practice these…A+ & Praise Be to God! Your foundation is Rock solid!
8 Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray, and do thou, O Prince of the heavenly hosts, by the power of God, thrust into hell Satan, and all the evil spirits, who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
or
O glorious prince St. Michael, chief and commander of the heavenly hosts, guardian of souls, vanquisher of rebel spirits, servant in the house of the Divine King and our admirable conductor, you who shine with excellence and superhuman virtue deliver us from all evil, who turn to you with confidence and enable us by your gracious protection to serve God more and more faithfully every day.
9 The Holy Rosary
The rosary has been prayed since the thirteenth century. While meditating on the life of Jesus, one recites the prayers that brings one closer to Him and to His Mother, Mary.
Start by making the sign of the Cross:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Then recite the Creed:
I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, and in Jesus Christ, His only Son, our Lord. He was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and born of the Virgin Mary. He suffered under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried. He descended into hell. On the third day He rose again. He ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand of God the Father Almighty. He will come again to judge the living and the dead. I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Holy Catholic Church, the communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body, and life everlasting.
Amen.
Then say 1 'Our Father', 3 'Hail Mary's' for the virtues of Faith, Hope and Charity; and then 1 'Glory Be':
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, but deliver us from evil. Amen. HAIL MARY, Full of Grace, The Lord is with thee. Blessed art thou among women, and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners now, and at the hour of death. Amen. 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.
The Rosary is divided into three parts, each having five mysteries. While meditating on the Mysteries, recite:
1 'Our Father' 10 'Hail Mary's' and 1 'Glory Be'
for each Mystery.
After each Mystery the 'Fatima Prayer' is said:
O my Jesus, forgive us our sins, save us from the fire of hell, lead all souls to heaven, especially those who are in most need of Thy mercy.
All together this makes up one decade.
After the completion of the five mysteries (five decades), the
'Hail Holy Queen' is said
Hail, holy Queen, mother of mercy, our life, our sweetness, and our hope. To thee do we cry, poor banished children of Eve. To thee do we send up our sighs mourning and weeping in this valley of tears. Turn then, most gracious advocate, thine eyes of mercy toward us, and after this our exile show us the blessed fruit of thy womb, Jesus. O clement, O loving, O sweet Virgin Mary.
Leader: Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God.
Respond: That we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
THE MYSTERIES OF THE ROSARY
THE JOYFUL MYSTERIES ( Mondays and Saturdays, may be said on Sundays during Advent and Christmas):
1. The Annunciation 2. The Visitation 3. The Nativity 4. The Presentation 5. The Finding of Jesus in the Temple
THE SORROWFUL MYSTERIES (Tuesdays and Fridays, may be said on Sundays during Lent ):
1. The Agony in the Garden 2. The Scourging at the Pillar 3. The Crowning with Thorns 4. The Carrying of the Cross 5. The Crucifixion
THE GLORIOUS MYSTERIES (Wednesdays and Sundays):
1. The Resurrection 2. The Ascension 3. The Descent of the Holy Spirit 4. The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary 5. The Coronation of the Blessed Virgin Mary
THE LUMINOUS MYSTERIES (Thursdays):
1. The Baptism in the Jordan 2. The Wedding at Cana 3. Proclamation of the Kingdom 4. The Transfiguration 5. Institution of the Eucharist
For the intentions of the Holy Father, one may recite at this point 1 'Our Father', 1 'Hail Mary', and one 'Glory Be'.
In the Name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
10 The Chaplet of the Divine Mercy
1. Begin with the Sign of the Cross, 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary and The Apostles Creed.
2. Then on the Our Father Beads say the following: Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world.
3. On the 10 Hail Mary Beads say the following: For the sake of His sorrowful Passion, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
(Repeat step 2 and 3 for all five decades).
4. Conclude with (three times): Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world.
In 1933, God gave Sister Faustina a striking vision of His Mercy, Sister tells us:
'I saw a great light, with God the Father in the midst of it. Between this light and the earth I saw Jesus nailed to the Cross and in such a way that God, wanting to look upon the earth, had to look through Our Lord's wounds and I understood that God blessed the earth for the sake of Jesus. '
Of another vision on Sept. 13, 1935, she writes:
'I saw an Angel, the executor of God's wrath... about to strike the earth... I began to beg God earnestly for the world with words which I heard interiorly. As I prayed in this way, I saw the Angel's helplessness, and he could not carry out the just punishment... . '
The following day an inner voice taught her to say this prayer on ordinary rosary beads:
'First say one 'Our Father', 'Hail Mary', and 'I believe'. Then on the large beads say the following words:
'Eternal Father, I offer You the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Your dearly beloved Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ, in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. '
On the smaller beads you are to say the following words:
'For the sake of His sorrowful Passion have mercy on us and on the whole world. '
In conclusion you are to say these words three times:
'Holy God, Holy Mighty One, Holy Immortal One, have mercy on us and on the whole world'.
Jesus said later to Sister Faustina:
'Say unceasingly this chaplet that I have taught you. Anyone who says it will receive great Mercy at the hour of death. Priests will recommend it to sinners as the last hope. Even the most hardened sinner, if he recites this Chaplet even once, will receive grace from My Infinite Mercy. I want the whole world to know My Infinite Mercy. I want to give unimaginable graces to those who trust in My Mercy... . '
'... . When they say this Chaplet in the presence of the dying, I will stand between My Father and the dying person not as the just judge but as the Merciful Savior'.
Sources:
Prayer Time: A Collection of Catholic Prayers, Knights of Columbus, 2018