t of the altar the priest says the Confiteor, a
psalm, and other prayers as a preparation. Then he ascends the altar
steps--praying as he goes--and says the Introit, which is some portion
of the Holy Scripture suitable to the feast of the day. He next says the
Kyrie Eleison, which means: Lord, have mercy on us. He then says the
Gloria, or hymn of praise, though not in all Masses. After the Gloria he
says the Collect, which is a collection of prayers in which the priest
prays for the needs of the Church and of its children. This is followed
by the Epistle, which is a part of the Holy Scripture. Then the
Mass-book is removed to the other side of the altar, and the priest
reads the Gospel--that is, some portion of the Gospel written by the
evangelists. After the Gospel the priest, except in some Masses, says
the Creed, which is a profession of his faith in the mysteries of our
religion. After this the priest uncovers the chalice, and offers up the
bread and wine which is to be consecrated. This is called the Offertory
of the Mass. The offertory is followed by the Lavabo, or washing of the
priest's hands: first, that the priest's hands may be purified to touch
the Sacred Host; and, second, to signify the purity of soul he must have
to offer the Holy Sacrifice. After saying some prayers in secret he says
the Preface, which is a solemn hymn of praise and thanksgiving. The
Preface ends with the Sanctus. The Sanctus is followed by the Canon of
the Mass. Canon means a rule; so this part of the Mass is called the
Canon, because it never changes. The Epistle, Gospel, prayers, etc., are
different on the different feasts, but the Canon of the Mass is always
the same. The Canon is the part of the Mass from the Sanctus down to the
time the priest again covers the chalice. After the Canon the priest
says the Post-Communion, or prayer after Communion; then he gives the
blessing and goes to the other side of the altar, and ends Mass by
saying the last Gospel.

During the Mass the priest frequently makes the Sign of the Cross,
genuflects or bends the knee before the altar, strikes his breast, etc.
What do all these ceremonies mean? By the cross the priest is reminded
of the death of Our Lord; he genuflects as an act of humility, and he
strikes his breast to show his own unworthiness. You will understand all
the ceremonies of the altar if you remember that Our Lord--the King of
kings--is present on it, and the priest acts in His presence as