What did Jesus say at the Last Supper? Today’s Lenten Lesson: Eucharistic Prayer (3) The Consecration What did Jesus say at the Last Supper? At the Last Supper Jesus said, “Do this in memory of me.” And that’s exactly what we do at Mass each day. The priest takes unleavened wheat bread and grape wine […]Read more

Praying for someone? Remember this! Today’s Lenten Lesson: Eucharistic Prayer (2) Memento Did you ever tell someone you would pray for them?  Now’s your chance. After directing our prayers of offering to God the Father through Jesus Christ, the priest prays for the Church, the pope, the local bishop, and all “who holding to the […]Read more

This is the first time we kneel. Today’s Lenten Lesson: Eucharistic Prayer (1) Now it is time to kneel because something very important is about to happen. I will spend the next seven lessons on the Eucharistic Prayer, and it would really help if you had a copy of the Eucharistic Prayers from your missalette, […]Read more

It changes daily and by the season… Listen to today’s Lenten Lesson: Preface The Mass is never boring if you know what’s going on. Now, the great event of the Mass is about to take place: the miracle of the transubstantiation. As the Eucharistic Prayer begins, everyone is standing. The priest invites the people to […]Read more

This is like saying grace before meals… Listen to today’s Lenten Lesson: Prayer Over the Gifts Just as we say grace before meals, now the priest prays the prayer over the gifts. There are three prayers which are unique for each daily Mass: the Opening Prayer, the Prayer over the Gifts, and the Prayer after […]Read more

‘My sacrifice and yours.’ What does THAT mean? Today’s Lenten Lesson: The ‘Orate Fratres’ We’re back on our feet again and everyone is praying together. The gifts having been prepared, the priest invites everyone to pray: “Pray brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.” Standing, the people reply: […]Read more

Did you know there are “secret” prayers at Mass? Today’s Lenten Lesson: Secret Prayers Did you know there are some ‘secret’ prayers at Mass? If you watch very closely, you’ll notice that the priest is moving his lips and praying some prayers very, very quietly during the Preparation of the Gifts. The rubrics indicate that […]Read more

Can we give something back to God? Today’s Lenten Lesson: The Offertory Can we give something back to God?  Yes, once we arrive to the Offertory, it’s our turn to give something to God. After the Prayers of the Faithful (Universal Prayer), the Mass enters into a new and profound phase: the ritual of offering […]Read more

Ask and you shall receive… Today’s Lenten Lesson: Prayers of the Faithful “Ask and you shall receive.” That’s what Jesus said, and that’s just what we do at Mass. After the Homily and the Creed come the Prayers of the Faithful.  As Pope Benedict XVI observed, we are “at our most attentive in prayer when […]Read more

It’s One of the 7 Great Prayers Today’s Lenten Lesson: Profession of Faith We stand for the Gospel, we sit for the Homily, and now it’s time to stand up again for the Profession of Faith. On Sundays, Holy Days of Obligation, and Solemnities, the people stand after the Homily and make the Profession of […]Read more

It’s also known as a sermon… Today’s Lenten Lesson: The Homily I think it was St. Paul who set the record for the longest homily ever. It might have been ten hours. That’s right. The homily lasted all night long, and it took place in Troas, and a young man named Eutychus fell asleep during […]Read more

This means “Good News” Today’s Lenten Lesson: The Gospel We just sang the Alleluia, everyone is standing, and it looks like the priest and the deacon are talking about something. Did you ever wonder what the deacon asks the priest before he proclaims the Gospel? He says: “Your blessing, Father.” And then the priest says, […]Read more