Awareness Of Our Actions During Mass Can Deepen Our Faith
Following the entrance song (and Incensation if used), the priest stands at the chair. Together with the whole assembly, he signs himself with the sign of the cross (GI 50). At our baptism, our foreheads were signed with the cross signifying that we now belong to Christ. Roman slaves’ foreheads were branded to mark their ownership. Being signed with the cross at our baptism and recalling this at the beginning of Mass recalls that we gather only because we are a baptized people (not as a social club). The more we become aware of the meaning of our actions, the more they can express and deepen our faith.
The priest then greets the assembly. This is not a “Good Morning” greeting. His greeting invites us to remember that the Lord Jesus is truly present in our community as we gather in his name (GI50).
The General Introduction to the 2011 Roman Missal states that, “Following the greeting, the priest, deacon, or a lay minister may very briefly introduce the faithful to the Mass of the day” (GI50). This brief explanation helps to set the tone for the Mass and calls to mind the reason for our gathering.
Following this introduction, “the priest calls the whole community to take part in the Penitential Act. We observe a brief silence for reflection, then the priest or deacon leads us in one of several different prayers – e.g. the Confiteor, the “Lord, have mercy.” The Penitential rite concludes with the Priest’s absolution, which is not the same as the absolution in the Sacrament of Reconciliation (GI51). At times, e.g. during the Easter Season or on the Feast of the Lord’s Baptism, the blessing and sprinkling of water may replace the customary penitential act as a reminder of baptism.
The Penitential Act was originally limited only to the celebrant. The acknowledgement of one’s sinfulness was part of the Pope’s private prayers when he came to the altar. When the Roman Missal reached Frankish territory (part of France, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Germany), words were inserted for the Pope’s quiet prayer. In the 8th century, the revision was made of “pouring forth prayers for himself and for the sins of the people”. The priest humbled himself before God recognizing his unworthiness entering into God’s presence to celebrate the Mass.
About 1000 A.D., we find mention of “Prayers at the Foot of the Altar” recited quietly by the priest and his assistants alone. A formal Confiteor and the prayer of absolution were quietly recited by the priest in Normandy (northwestern France), a leading center for liturgical reform. This new custom spread into Italy and Germany thanks to the liturgical reforms sponsored by the famous Benedictine Abbey of Cluny in the west-central part of France. Pope Pius V made the Confiteor a formal part of the Roman Mass following the Council of Trent (1545-1563). Eventually the Kyrieeleison or “Lord, have mercy” was attached to these prayers.
Although the Penitential Act was the private prayers of the people, quietly recited with his assistants, there are instances when the faithful were drawn into the priest’s penitential act in a minimal manner when he turned toward the people and spoke the words of absolution. The bishops at Vatican II decided to involve the entire assembly into the Penitential Act.
Although we left the previous Sunday with a mission to serve the Lord, we first of all admit that we may have failed in our mission. Opportunities to serve the Lord may have been passed by, or perhaps we deliberately hurt someone. We recognize our need for the Lord’s mercy; God is generously compassionate toward us.
