Florida Catholic | A Sunday Guide to Mass 1

VALETA ORLANDO | FC
Sts. Peter & Paul Parish, Winter Park.

ENTRANCE

What the priest does: Enters the church with the other ministers of the Mass and processes to the altar, kisses the altar and, sometimes on solemnities, censes the altar as well.

What the people do: Stand and sing.

Did you know? Standing is a sign of respect and honor, so the faithful stand when the celebrant enters and remain standing until the end of the opening prayer.

Tip: Getting there on time is also a sign of respect. On the way in, stop to bless yourself with holy water as a reminder of your baptism.

GREETING

Priest: Makes the sign of the cross and reminds us that we worship a God who is one in three persons.

People: Make the sign of the cross, express the same statement of identity.

Did you know? The Mass is the Catholic Church’s greatest prayer and therefore begins and ends like all its formal prayer — with the sign of the cross.

Tip: The priest greets the assembly with the words, “The Lord be with you,” and the assembly replies, “And also with you.” The response is under liturgical review and is likely to be changed to reflect the exact Latin translation, “And with your Spirit.” “Right back at ya” is not an appropriate response, even at a contemporary Mass.