Baltimore Catechism Volume I Part 11

The bell is rung three times.

Kneel

THE CANON

[Note,--By a Decree of the Church (Aug. 4, 1922), the prayers during the Canon, i.e. from the Sanctus to the Pater Noster, must be said in silence.]

The priest bows low and kisses the altar.

O most merciful Father, we pray You, through Jesus Christ, Your Son, Our Lord, to take and bless these gifts. We offer them to You for Your holy Catholic Church, for our Pope and Bishop and for all those in the Catholic Faith.

PRAYER FOR THE LIVING

Be mindful, O Lord, of Your servants (name those for whom you wish to pray especially), and all who are now hearing this Ma.s.s. Hear, O Lord, the prayers they are offering for themselves, their friends and their families.

THE CONSECRATION OF THE HOST

The priest now bends low over the host and says:

THIS IS MY BODY

At these words, the bread is changed into the body of Our Lord. The bell rings. The priest kneels and then raises the Sacred Body of Our Lord.

Now look at the Sacred Host and say: My Lord and my G.o.d. Then bow your head as the priest kneels again.

THE CONSECRATION OF THE WINE

The priest bends over the chalice and says:

THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD

At these words, the wine becomes the Precious Blood of Our Lord. The bell rings. The priest kneels and then raises the chalice. Now the priest continues to pray silently. Look at the chalice and say: Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, have mercy on us.

The priest kneels. The bell rings again. The priest prays silently.

PRAYER FOR THE DEAD

Remember also, O Lord, Your servants (here name dead relatives and friends) who have gone before us with the sign of faith and sleep the sleep of peace.

Now the priest says the "Pater Noster." Say the "Our Father."

Soon after the priest strikes his breast and says the "Agnus Dei."

THE PRIEST'S COMMUNION

The priest after saying some prayers silently, takes the Sacred Host and paten in his left hand and striking his breast with the right hand says (the bell rings three times):

*O Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter under my roof. Say but the word and my soul shall be healed.

The priest bows down and receives the Body of Our Lord. He remains in prayer for a short time. Then he uncovers the chalice and drinks the Sacred Blood of Our Lord.

THE COMMUNION OF THE PEOPLE

The priest now opens the tabernacle and takes out the Blessed Sacrament to give holy communion to the people. Turning to the people and holding the ciborium in his left hand, he lifts up a Sacred Host to the people in his right hand. Now say with the priest three times:

"Lord, I am not worthy that You should enter my soul; say but the word and my soul shall be healed."

AFTER THE COMMUNION

Having replaced the Blessed Sacrament in the tabernacle, the priest after taking water and wine, covers the chalice and goes to the right side of the altar to read from the book. Then going back to the middle he turns to the people and says:

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Then the priest again goes to the right side of the altar and reads:

THE PRAYERS AFTER COMMUNION

*Let us pray: We have been filled with Your gifts, O Lord. Grant that they may make us clean and strong. May the gift of this divine Sacrament keep us pure, O Lord. Through the help of the Blessed Virgin, of St.

Joseph, of Sts. Peter and Paul and all the saints, may it free us from all evil.

The priest goes back to the middle of the altar and turning to the people says:

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Go, the Ma.s.s is ended.

Thanks be to G.o.d.

THE BLESSING

The priest bows down and says a prayer. Then turning to the people he blesses them saying:

May almighty G.o.d, the Father, Son, and Holy Ghost, bless you. Amen.

The priest goes to the left side of the altar.

Stand