4 Prayers to help you get started with Mass

Written by McDonald, T.  |  Date 20th of November 2021

These four prayers will help you on your way to learning Holy Mass because they hold key places.  I will not cover the whole of Mass in this blog or any part of it in detail, but I will help you get started.  If you put the effort in and learn the these prayers, your experience of Mass will greatly improve.

The Confiteor

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

This prayer is usually said near the beginning of Mass in the Act of Penance after the welcoming.  It differs from other versions in two ways. One, through my thought is repeated three time with through my most grievous fault on the third time. Two, at the same time as saying this line, we pound our chests in time with each through my fault.  It is, in essence, making a confession to God.  Note towards the end of the prayer the request for our brothers and sisters to pray for us.  Do you pray for the people in your church? 

 

The Nicene Creed 

I believe in one God,
the Father, the Almighty,
Maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the only-begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages,
God from God, Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made,
consubstantial with the Father.
Through him all things were made.
For us and for our salvation
he came down from heaven:by the power of the Holy Spirit
was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate;
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.
He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead,
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son.
With the Father and the Son he is adored and glorified.
He has spoken through the Prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins,
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead,
and the life of the world to come.

This prayer is said while standing and covers the 12 articles of faith and is said in mass, which all Catholics must believe all.  The prayer is said after the the sermon/homily, religious discourse for spiritual growth, you have just sat through.  The Credo is found in the Catechism Part 1: The Profession Of Faith,  Section 1 'I Believe' - 'We Believe', Chapter 3 "Man's response to God", Article 2 'We Believe', The Credo.  

If you are having trouble learning this prayer, read this on how to learn it easily.

Our Father

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. 

Thy kingdom come, thy will be done, on earth, as it is in heaven. 

Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses 

as we forgive those who trespass against us; 

and lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 

The Our Father prayer, more formally known as the Lord's Prayer, is said standing during the Communion Rite before the Priest hands out the Holy Eucharist, but not right before.  At the end of the prayer the Priest will continue alone as follows:

Deliver us, Lord, from ever evil, and grant us peace in our day.  In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.

 

The people respond with:

For the Kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and  forever. 

 

Prayer to St Michael 

St. Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defence against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.

About the prayer.

I am used to hearing this prayer toward the end of Mass although you can say it any time.  St Michael hold the highest authority of the Angels. St Michael can protect us from temptation.  He is one of the three archangels along with St Gabriel and St Raphael. 

When you have learned these prayers, you will be well on your way to learning Mass.  However, there are many other interesting things and prayers to consider and learn for Mass, so keep an eye out for the next blog in this series on Holy Mass.