The Order of the Mass: Parts of the Catholic Mass Explained Step by Step

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Every Catholic Mass follows the same order, set out in the Roman Missal: the Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. The two great parts in the middle, Word and Eucharist, together form “one single act of worship” (CCC 1346). The pattern is very old. Around the year 155, St. Justin Martyr described Christians gathering on Sunday to hear the apostles and prophets, pray for all, and give thanks over bread and wine (CCC 1345). This guide walks through each part in order, says what happens and why, and shows when the congregation stands, sits and kneels in the United States. Paragraph numbers refer to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM).

The order of the Mass at a glance

PartWhat happensPosture (U.S.)
Introductory RitesEntrance, Sign of the Cross and Greeting, Penitential Act, Kyrie, Gloria, CollectStand
Liturgy of the WordFirst Reading, Responsorial Psalm, Second ReadingSit
Gospel Acclamation and GospelStand
HomilySit
Profession of Faith (Creed) and Universal PrayerStand
Liturgy of the EucharistPreparation of the GiftsSit
Prayer over the Offerings, Preface, Holy, Holy, HolyStand
Eucharistic Prayer, from after the Holy, Holy, Holy to the Great AmenKneel
Lord’s Prayer and Sign of PeaceStand
Lamb of GodStand; kneel when it ends
Communion and the silence after itCome forward; afterward kneel or sit
Prayer after CommunionStand
Concluding RitesAnnouncements, Blessing, DismissalStand

The postures follow GIRM 43 as adapted for the dioceses of the United States. Other countries differ in small ways, so follow the people around you.

1. The Introductory Rites

These rites gather the people into one body and prepare them to hear God’s word and celebrate the Eucharist worthily (GIRM 46).

  • Entrance. As the procession enters, an entrance chant or hymn is sung (GIRM 47–48). The priest and deacon bow to the altar and kiss it, and on solemn days incense it (GIRM 49).
  • Sign of the Cross and Greeting. Everyone makes the Sign of the Cross. The priest greets the people, who answer him (GIRM 50).
  • Penitential Act. After a brief silence, everyone acknowledges their sins in one of several forms. One is the Confiteor, “I confess.” The priest’s absolution that follows does not take the place of Confession (GIRM 51). On Sundays, especially in Easter Time, the sprinkling with holy water to recall Baptism may replace it. See the Penitential Act.
  • Kyrie. “Lord, have mercy; Christ, have mercy; Lord, have mercy,” often sung in the original Greek, Kyrie, eleison (GIRM 52).
  • Gloria. An ancient hymn of praise that begins with the angels’ song at Bethlehem (Luke 2:14). It is sung or said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and on solemnities and feasts (GIRM 53).
  • Collect. The priest says “Let us pray,” everyone prays silently for a moment, and he “collects” those prayers into the opening prayer of the day (GIRM 54).

2. The Liturgy of the Word

In the readings, explained by the homily, “God speaks to his people” (GIRM 55). See our full guide to the Liturgy of the Word.

  • First Reading. Usually from the Old Testament. In Easter Time it comes from the Acts of the Apostles.
  • Responsorial Psalm. The cantor sings the psalm verses and everyone repeats a short response. The psalm is “an integral part of the Liturgy of the Word” (GIRM 61).
  • Second Reading. On Sundays and solemnities, from the New Testament letters or Revelation.
  • Gospel Acclamation. Everyone stands and sings the Alleluia with a verse, to greet the Lord who is about to speak. During Lent another acclamation replaces the Alleluia (GIRM 62).
  • Gospel. The reading of the Gospel is the high point of the Liturgy of the Word (GIRM 60). It is read by a deacon or priest. As it is announced, everyone traces a small cross on the forehead, lips and heart (GIRM 134).
  • Homily. The priest or deacon explains the readings and applies them to life. A homily is required on Sundays and holy days of obligation (GIRM 65–66). See what a homily is.
  • Profession of Faith. On Sundays and solemnities everyone says or sings the Nicene Creed, or the Apostles’ Creed, bowing at the words about the Incarnation (GIRM 67–68, 137).
  • Universal Prayer (Prayers of the Faithful). The people pray for the Church, for public authorities and the salvation of the world, for those in need, and for the local community (GIRM 69–70). Our Prayers of the Faithful guide explains how to write them, and we publish intercessions for this Sunday.

3. The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Preparation of the Gifts (Offertory)

The altar is prepared, the collection is taken, and members of the congregation may bring forward the bread and wine (GIRM 73). The priest says the prayers over the bread and wine quietly, or aloud with the people answering “Blessed be God for ever.” He mixes a little water with the wine and washes his hands as a sign of interior purification (GIRM 76). Then he invites everyone to pray (Orate, fratres, “Pray, brethren”), and everyone stands for the Prayer over the Offerings (GIRM 77). See the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Eucharistic Prayer

This is “the center and summit of the entire celebration” (GIRM 78). Its parts (GIRM 79) are:

  1. Preface dialogue and Preface. The priest invites the people to lift up their hearts and give thanks, and the Preface praises God for the work of salvation.
  2. Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus). The whole assembly joins the angels’ hymn of Isaiah 6:3 and the crowd’s “Hosanna” on Palm Sunday (Matthew 21:9). See Holy, Holy, Holy.
  3. Epiclesis. The priest asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that the gifts become the Body and Blood of Christ.
  4. Institution narrative and consecration. The priest speaks Christ’s words at the Last Supper, and the bread and wine become his Body and Blood. He shows the Host and the chalice to the people. The bells may ring.
  5. Mystery of Faith. The people sing an acclamation of Christ’s death, Resurrection and coming again.
  6. Anamnesis and offering. The Church remembers Christ’s Passion, Resurrection and Ascension and offers the spotless Victim to the Father. The faithful learn to offer themselves with him.
  7. Intercessions. Prayers for the Church on earth, with the Pope and the local bishop named, for the dead, and in communion with Mary and the saints.
  8. Doxology and Great Amen. The priest raises the Body and Blood of Christ and sings the praise of the Trinity, and the people answer “Amen.”

The Roman Missal offers several Eucharistic Prayers. Eucharistic Prayer I is the ancient Roman Canon. Eucharistic Prayer II, the shortest, is modeled on a prayer from the early third century and is “more appropriately used on weekdays.” Eucharistic Prayer III is preferred on Sundays, and Eucharistic Prayer IV gives a fuller summary of salvation history (GIRM 365). See our guide to the Eucharistic Prayer.

The Communion Rite

  • The Lord’s Prayer. Everyone prays the Our Father. The priest adds a prayer for deliverance and peace, and the people conclude with a doxology (GIRM 81). For that reason Catholics do not say “for the kingdom…” right after “deliver us from evil” at Mass.
  • Sign of Peace. The priest prays for peace, and the people may exchange a sign of peace with those nearby (GIRM 82).
  • Breaking of the Bread and Lamb of God. The priest breaks the Host while everyone sings or says the Agnus Dei (GIRM 83).
  • Invitation to Communion. The priest shows the Host and invites the people to the supper of the Lamb. Everyone answers with words based on the centurion’s in Matthew 8:8 (GIRM 84).
  • Communion. In the United States, Communion is normally received standing. Each communicant bows the head before receiving and answers “Amen” to “The Body of Christ.” The Host may be received on the tongue or in the hand (GIRM 160–161).
  • Silence or a song of thanksgiving, then the Prayer after Communion (GIRM 88–89). For prayers to say after receiving, see prayers before and after Communion.

4. The Concluding Rites

Brief announcements may be made. The priest greets the people and blesses them, sometimes with a solemn blessing or a prayer over the people. Then the deacon or priest dismisses them “so that each may go out to do good works, praising and blessing God” (GIRM 90). The word Mass comes from this sending: the Latin dismissal is Ite, missa est, and the Catechism explains that the liturgy “concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful” (CCC 1332).

How to receive Holy Communion

  • Be a Catholic in the state of grace. Anyone aware of a grave sin must go to Confession first (CCC 1385). See mortal and venial sin.
  • Keep the Eucharistic fast: no food or drink, except water and medicine, for one hour before Communion (Code of Canon Law, can. 919). The elderly and the sick are exempt.
  • Approach reverently. Bow your head as the person ahead of you receives. Then answer “Amen” and receive on the tongue or in your open hands, left hand over right, and consume the Host at once.
  • If you cannot receive, you may come forward with arms crossed over your chest for a blessing where that is the parish custom, or stay in your place and make a spiritual communion.

Frequently asked questions

What are the four main parts of the Mass?

The Introductory Rites, the Liturgy of the Word, the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Concluding Rites. The Word and the Eucharist are the two principal parts.

How long is a Catholic Mass?

A Sunday Mass usually lasts about an hour, and a weekday Mass about thirty minutes. Feasts, sung Masses and celebrations such as baptisms or confirmations take longer.

When is the Gloria omitted?

It is omitted on ordinary weekdays, at Masses for the dead, and on the Sundays of Advent and Lent. It returns at Christmas. During Lent it is sung only on solemnities and feasts and at the Mass of the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday, and it rings out again at the Easter Vigil.

Where can I find the people’s words for the Mass?

Every parish missalette and missal prints the full Order of Mass with the people’s parts in the current English translation. Many dioceses and publishers also offer pew cards.

Is the Traditional Latin Mass in the same order?

It has the same two great parts, the Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful, but different prayers and a different arrangement of several rites, such as the prayers at the foot of the altar and the Last Gospel.

More about the Mass

Sources