When the Entrance Song is concluded, the Priest and the faithful, standing, sign themselves with the Sign of the Cross, while the Priest, facing the people, says:
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
The faithful respond:
Amen
Then the Priest, extending his hands, greets the people, saying:
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
The people reply:
And with your spirit.
Then follows the Penitential Act, to which the Priest invites the faithful, saying:
Brethren (brothers and sisters), let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
One of 3 Options could follow:
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God. The absolution by the Priest follows: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life. Amen.
The 2nd option is rarely used and involves simple responses. The 3rd option is often used and involves a simple repitition of the priests words. Sometimes English is used and sometimes Greek.
Lord Have Mercy (Kyrie Eleison)
Christ have mercy (Christe Eleison)
Lord have mercy (Kyrie Eleison)
Then, during certain parts of the liturgical year, the Gloria is sung or said:
Glory to God in the highest,
and on earth peace to people of good will.
We praise you,
we bless you,
we adore you,
we glorify you,
we give you thanks for your great glory,
Lord God, heavenly King,
O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son,
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father,
you take away the sins of the world,
have mercy on us;
you take away the sins of the world,
receive our prayer;
you are seated at the right hand of the Father,
have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One,
you alone are the Lord,
you alone are the Most High,
Jesus Christ,
with the Holy Spirit,
in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
When this hymn is concluded, the Priest, with hands joined, says:
Let us Pray
The priest prays a short prayer and the people respond:
Amen.
Everyone is then seated for the Liturgy of the Word.
Liturgy of the Word