A Tour through the Mass!

Mass: Introductory Rites

The Introductory Rites are the Entrance Hymn, the sign of the cross, the greeting, words of introduction, penitential rite/Kyrie, Gloria and the Opening Prayer or Collect. 

These rites are there to begin the liturgy and to act as an introduction and a preparation.  They are there to prepare the congregation for the two core parts of the Mass – the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.  

Isn’t there a sense in which Mass begins as we leave our homes and set off for the church.  We have to get ourselves organised and ready to go to Mass; sometimes this is easier than at others!  This first part of the Mass is there to settle us down and begin to lead us into the various moments of prayer that we will be part of as the liturgy goes on. 

Some of us will remember the “Prayers at the Foot of the Altar” which were part of the pre-Vatican II liturgy.  Those prayers were originally said in the Sacristy before the priest went out for Mass.  Gradually those prayers were transferred to the foot of the altar before the priest ascended the steps to the altar when the Mass properly began.  And these prayers only involved the priest and the altar servers.

In the Vatican II’s reform, those prayers became the Introductory rites of the Mass in which the people also participated.  The way in which Mass began varied over time and in different regions of the church. 

Next week we will begin to look at each of the parts of the Introductory rites and explain their significance. 

By Fr Frank O’Loughlin