A Note From

Rev. Joe Koyickal

Understanding the Mass: A Summary

The Mass is the center of our Catholic faith—the moment when God gathers us, speaks to us, feeds us with Christ Himself, and sends us forth to live the Gospel. Each part of the Mass carries deep meaning and invites us to active, prayerful participation.

We begin with the Introductory Rites, gathering as one family in Christ. The Sign of the Cross anchors us in God’s presence; the Penitential Act opens us to His mercy; the Gloria lifts our hearts in praise; and the Opening Prayer unites all our intentions. These rites prepare us to enter the mystery we celebrate.

In the Liturgy of the Word, God speaks directly to His people. Through the readings, the psalm, and the Gospel, we encounter God’s living Word. The homily connects that Word to our daily lives, the Creed unites us in our shared faith, and the Prayers of the Faithful express our trust in God’s care for the Church and the world.

In the Preparation of the Gifts, bread, wine, and our own lives are placed before God. What is brought to the altar symbolizes everything we are and everything we hope to become. We offer ourselves with the gifts, asking God to transform both.

The Eucharistic Prayer is the heart of the Mass. We give thanks, call upon the Holy Spirit, and hear Jesus’ words from the Last Supper—through which the bread and wine become His Body and Blood. We remember Christ’s saving sacrifice and pray for the Church, the living, and the dead. Our “Amen” seals our belief in this great mystery where heaven touches earth.

In the Communion Rite, we prepare our hearts as we pray the Lord’s Prayer, offer one another Christ’s peace, and recognize Jesus, the Lamb of God. Receiving Holy Communion unites us deeply with Christ and with one another. We become what we receive—the Body of Christ.

The Prayer after Communion asks God to help the grace we have received shape our lives. The Eucharist strengthens us not only for this moment, but for every moment of the week ahead.

The Concluding Rites remind us that we are sent. The blessing strengthens us, and the dismissal commissions us to bring the love of Christ into the world. The word “Mass” itself means “mission”—we are sent forth to live what we have celebrated.

To live the Mass is to allow Christ’s presence to transform us. The Mass is sacrifice, where we unite our lives to Christ; it is meal, where we are nourished by His Body and Blood; and it is mission, sending us to witness to His love in our daily lives. The Mass is the source and summit of our Christian journey, shaping who we are and how we live.

May we not simply attend the Mass, but enter it with faith, participate with hearts open, and continue it through the way we love and serve others. “Be what you receive—the Body of Christ."

Blessing of Peace and Joy Always!   Fr. Joe