The Liturgy Corner - The Dialogue of the Mass Part 14: "Lord I am not worthy..."

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

After the priest announces, “Behold the Lamb of God…”, then the congregation and the priest together say, “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”

This is a powerful prayer. It is an honest ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner - The Dialogue of the Mass Part 13: The Lamb of God

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

At the end of the Rite of Peace at the Mass, we address Jesus as ‘the Lamb of God’ four times in quick succession; three times in the ‘Lamb of God’ hymn sung by the congregation and once by the priest when he quotes the words of John the ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner: The Light of Christ

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

Happy Easter, Brothers and Sisters! If you have been to the Easter Vigil Mass, you know of the candle lighting ceremony at the beginning, where the new Easter Candle is processed up the aisle of the darkened church. Servers light candles off of the Easter candle and then light ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner: The Dialogue of the Mass Part 11: The Lord's Prayer

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

After ‘the Great Amen,’ we all stand to say the Lord’s Prayer. I won’t say much about the Lord’s Prayer itself, as it seems pretty obvious why we pray it and all that. I will briefly mention the introduction to it that the priest gives.

“At the savior’s command ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner: The Dialogue of the Mass Part 10: The Doxology and the Great Amen

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

Following the 'Mystery of Faith,' the priest continues with the Eucharistic Prayer. The inner organization of the Eucharistic Prayers and their various elements is quite splendid, but that is a topic for another time. It is important to note, however, that the entire Eucharistic Prayer is addressed to God ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner - Side Topic: The Litany of Humility

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

Today, I am taking a short break from the ongoing 'dialogue of the Mass' series to share with you a prayer. During my homily last weekend, I mentioned the Litany of Humility that my 'household' at Franciscan University of Steubenville would sing every Sunday night before we prayed the ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner - The Dialogue of the Mass: Part 9 "The Mystery of Faith"

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

Following the words of Consecration ("THIS IS MY BODY," etc) we have the next dialogue between the priest and the people: mysterium fidei, ‘The mystery of faith.’

This part of the Mass is both very new and very old. It is old because the phrase, “mysterium fidei,” actually used ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner - The Dialogue of the Mass: Part 8 "sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus"

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

The next moment of vocal participation by the congregation is the “Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus” (Holy, Holy, Holy), which will be henceforch referred to as the ‘Sanctus’. To understand the full import of this mini-hymn, we need to look at the end of the preface, which comes directly before singing ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner - The Dialogue of the Mass Part 7: "Lift Up Your Hearts"

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

After the conclusion of the offertory (the ‘Amen’ following the priest’s prayer over the offerings), there is a distinct sense of change. At a Mass with a number of concelebrating priests, this would be the moment when they all move behind the altar. It is the introduction to the ... Read More »

The Liturgy Corner - The Dialogue of the Mass Part 6: The Offertory

Posted by Peter Grodi on 8/08/22

When the people rise after the setting of the altar (this is still part of the ‘offertory’), there is an exchange between the priest and the people. In case you need your memory jogged, here is that exchange:

“Pray brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be ... Read More »