St. Stephen's Basilica

Besides Cave Church, which I talked about in my previous blog, Maria and I also visited St. Stephen's Basilica.  We didn't plan on visiting it, at least not on the day and time that we did; we just happened to come across it as we were on our way back home after a long day of terrific site-seeing.

 

 

 

 

 

As you can see, it is amazingly massive.  All of that open pavement laying below it?  Underneath that is the large parking garage needed to be able to fit all of the congregants who attend Mass there.  It is also significantly larger than the buildings that surround it.  Just the sheer size of it speaks to the glory of God.  But as you can see, it is also beautifully made, with wonderful artwork and sculptures, all in some way praising God and lifting Him up, pointing to His unlimited greatness.

 





 

As we get closer, we are able to see a statue of St. Stephen actually looking down over the front of the entrance, inviting them in.

 

 

St. Stephen is actually one of the few King-Saints in existence (a King (of Hungary) who was canonized into Sainthood).  He defended, protected, and upheld the Catholic faith for an entire country!!!  He spread the gospel message throughout his citizens and lived a life of holiness in his kingship.

 

After seeing the outside we stepped inside and marveled at it all; so much breathtaking artwork, so much symbolism, and all for the glory and praise and worship of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

I could go on and on with the pictures (and Maria took much better pictures then I did (can you spot the one photo I put up that she took?)) but no pictures can fully capture the awe of this Basilica.  We even decided to come back here to watch/listen to a concert with orchestra-level music. 

 

Needless to say, we truly felt the presence of God in so many ways here, as well as in Budapest in general.  There were so many other places that we visited and enjoyed, but the only way you will truly appreciate it is if you go yourself.  So if you can, do it.  You won't regret it.



Cave Church

As I said in my last post I recently visited my girlfriend Maria in Poland.  We had a wonderful time together and we visited many places and sites.  One place we visited was Budapest, Hungary.  We stayed there for a few days, and some of the numerous things we have seen have been the Churches there.

One of these Churches is called Cave Church.  And yes, it is EXACTLY what it sounds like.

 

 

 

 

 

This Church was literally built inside of a cave!!  And it looks awesome.

 

Right on the inside is a little tourist shop filled with many beautifully hand-made religious objects.

 

 

 

 

And then we were able to proceed through the rest of the Church.  We came across a confessional built right into the cave walls,

 

 

 

 



awesome-looking statues, including one of St. Paul, since it is the Pauline Order in Hungary who has the Church,

 

 

 

 

 

and wonderful wood carvings, confessional, and an alter.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

There are numerous other pictures I took, which are up on my facebook.  Needless to say, this was worth seeing. 

 

The amount of history behind this Church is incredible.  It was originally built during the 1920s.  The cave itself was used by various Catholic priests and hermits as a place for preaching and healing, long before the Church itself was even built.  It was decided that the Church should be made in order bring the Hungarian people back to their Patron Saint, the Virgin Mary.  Hence, the official name the Church was given was the Cave Church of Our Lady.

 

When building the Church they ended up not being able to set it up according to their original measurements because other tunnels kept opening up when they would commence drilling.  Many people during this time thought that this was the work of God. 

 

The Church was used during WWII, but after the communist takeover occurred the Church was blocked off, and many monastic orders in Hungary, including the Pauline Order, were suppressed.  However, when Communism fell in 1989 the Church was able to be opened again and given back the Pauline Order.

 

The tour of the Church was a truly breathtaking experience.  Maria and I really enjoyed it and learned how God really worked through so many people and so many situations to make this Church come into existence.





Trip to Poland

Hey everyone,

Sorry I haven't posted anything in a while.  But I have been on vacation in Poland.  I have been enjoying a wonderful time off of work and in a faraway place. 

But that really was not the highlight of my trip.  The real reason for going was to visit Maria.

 

 

 

She is this wonderful and amazing woman that I met about a year and a half ago.  Well, I guess I shouldn't say 'met' because we did not 'physically' meet.  She lives in Poland and I live in New Jersey.  So, we first 'met' on a pro-life website (sadly said website is no longer running).  We were both bloggers and became fans of each others' posts.  So we got to know each other and became fast friends because of that.  We read and enjoyed (and even critiqued) each others blog posts about the pro-life movement pretty regularly.

 

Eventually, though, we both started to become attracted to each other.  So much so, in fact, that we realized that we both wanted to be more than just friends.  Obviously, however, there was a little issue we had called distance.  We obviously couldn't exactly see each other face-to-face anytime we felt like it...or could we?

 

After skyping for a bit we worked out a date and a time for Maria to come to the United States.  January of 2013 worked out well.  She would be coming right in time for my birthday and it was during her school break. 

 

This was planned a few months before she would actually arrive (and this was her first visit to the United States,  by the way).  We got to know each other more and more during that time, what our likes and dislikes were, how important our faith was to ourselves, what we wanted and expected from our future, and more.  And we only grew closer as a result.

 

When the time finally came for her to come here, my dad and I picked her up from JFK airport.  She looked beautiful to me, even though she didn't think so (it was understandable; she was just getting done with a 10 hour flight, and was stuck in security for several hours after that).  At long last we finally got to see each other.  We went home holding hands, and we even had our first kiss that very same night.  And it was this night that we decided to officially declare ourselves to be going out.

 

A lot has happened between then and now.  We visited many places, both in the United States and in Poland (I went to Poland the upcoming summer).  We spent a lot of time together, but most of all we got closer to one another.  Most of all, our faith in God has truly helped us to realize the wonderful fruits that are in our relationship.  Her faith truly strengthens mine every day in one way or another, and she truly cares about my salvation.  That, ladies and gentlemen, is woman beyond all imagination and dreaming.

 

So the last couple of weeks I spent in Poland (and a few days in Hungary) with this amazing woman.  We celebrated many things, one of which was our one year anniversary.  Remembering all the amazing times we have had over the past year, as well as how much closer in faith towards God and love towards each other, has helped me to realize just how lucky and blessed I am to have Maria in my life.

 

 



 

Happy Anniversary sweetie.  We really have bonded well over the past year in ways that are so unbelievable.  You truly bring me closer to God in ways that no one else has, and you genuinely care for me and love me, as I you.  I thank God every day for you being in my life.  Thank you Maria for everything. 

Controversial? (Part 1)

So the past number of posts have been a bit heavy (and there will be more of that type of stuff to come), so I thought I would lighten it up a bit by introducing a new series in the blog called 'Controversial?'. 

Basically, every now and then I will post something, either a video or an article, and just ask for your opinion: do you think this is controversial?  What do you think about what is being portrayed?  What would you have done/said differently if you could/wanted to? 

So for today's first posting of this series, it will be a Coca Cola commercial that, according to the youtube channel that it is on, was banned in various places from airing. 

So what do you think?  Do you like it?  Do you hate it?  Anything about it you would change? Whatever you think about this commercial, let's talk about it and get our opinions out there.

The Mass in Scripture (Part 5 (Finale))

(After everyone has been given the chance to receive the Body and Blood of Christ, the Priest and Deacon purify (a certain way of cleaning) what was used to hold the Body and Blood of Christ.)

Priest (quietly while purifying): What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart, that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.

[So turn from youthful desires and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord with purity of heart. (2Timothy 2: 22)]

(The Priest and Deacon then sit down.  The congregation usually returns to a sitting position.  A silence often follows before the Priest stands up, beckoning everyone else to stand.)

Priest: Let us pray.  (The Priest then says a prayer.)

Congregation (after Priest's prayer): Amen.

(The Priest then says, if necessary, any announcements from the Church.)

Priest (after announcements): The Lord be with you.

Congregation: And with your spirit.

Priest (while he and everyone else does the Sign of the Cross): May almighty God bless you, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.

Congregation: Amen.

Priest/Deacon: Go forth, the Mass is ended.

                                                                         or

Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.

                                                                        or

Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.

                                                                        or

Go in peace.

[But he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7: 50)

The jailer reported the(se) words to Paul, "The magistrates have sent orders that you be released.  Now, then, come out and go in peace." (Acts 16: 36)

He said to her, "Daughter, your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 8: 48)]

(The Priest, Deacon, Lector, and Alter servers then step off of the alter, bow towards it, and proceed out of the church.  This marks the conclusion of the Mass.)



That is the end of the Catholic Mass, and the end of this series.  I hope this was as enjoyable for you as it was for me.  As it turns out I ended up finishing this while on vacation in Poland (visiting my girlfriend since she lives here :) ).  So it was good to end this in a stress-free environment.

If you have any questions, problems, or comments about anything that I mention/bring up at anytime throughout this series, or about anything else that crosses your mind, then please let me know and I will do my best to address it.

The Mass and Scripture (Part 4)

Here is part 1, 2, and 3.

(The Priest, Deacon, and Alter servers prepare the table for the Eucharist.  While this is happening tithes, or monetary donations to the church, are given and collected.  Then the 'gifts', the bread and wine to  be used in the Celebration, are brought up by a couple of people from the Congregation to the Priest.  The rest of the alter is prepared, with various prayers being recited by the Priest.  Then when the preparation is complete, the Priest invites everyone to stand.)

Priest: Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

[and, like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood to offer spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. (1Peter 2: 5)]

Congregation: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and the glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy church.

(The Priest says a prayer over the Offerings (bread and wine), to which the congregation replies, "Amen.")

(The Eucharistic Prayer begins after this point.  It is a prayer meant to praise and give glory to God through Jesus' actual body and blood.  Catholics believe that during a particular point of the Mass the bread and wine actually become the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.  Thus, this Eucharistic Prayer is meant to convey our praise to God through the Celebration of his bodily Presence.  It is also a time for us to participate with Christ in his Sacrifice for us, since, as was addressed in the first part of this series, the Mass and the Eucharist in particular are the sacrifice that Christ made for the sake of our salvation.  Thus, by God's grace, we are able to participate with Christ in his very sacrifice for us.)

Priest: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And with your Spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts.
Congregation: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
Congregation: It is right and just.

[...giving thanks always and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ to God the Father. (Ephesians 5: 20)

We always give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you... (Colossians 1: 3)

We give thanks to you, Lord God almighty, who are and who were. (Revelation 11: 17)

To do what is right and just is more acceptable to the LORD than sacrifice. (Proverbs 21: 3)]

Priest: It is  truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father most holy, through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ, your Word through whom you made all things...

[In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God...And the Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us, and we saw his glory, the glory of the Father's only Son, full of grace and truth. (John 1: 1, 14)]

Priest: ...whom you sent as Savior and Redeemer, incarnate by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin. 

[From this mans' descendants God, according to his promise, has brought to Israel a savior, Jesus. (Acts 13: 23)

For, in this way, entry into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ will be richly provided for you. (2Peter 1: 11)

...to Titus, my true child in our common faith: grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our savior.  (Titus 1: 3)]

Priest: Fulfilling your will and gaining for you a holy people he stretched out his hands as he endured his Passion, so as to break the bonds of death and manifest the resurrection.

[...but now made manifest through the appearance of our savior Christ Jesus, who destroyed death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel... (2Timothy 1: 10)]

...but we do see Jesus "crowned with glory and honor" because he suffered death, he who "for a little while" was made "lower than the angels," that by the grace of God he might taste death for everyone. (Hebrews 2: 9)

But now Christ has been raised from the dead... (1Corinthians 15: 20)]

Priest: And so with the Angels and all the Saints we declare your glory, as with one voice we acclaim:

[...that with one accord you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15: 5)

And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord... (Acts 4: 24)]

All: Holy, holy, holy, Lord God of hosts.  Heaven and Earth are full of your glory.

[David answered him: "You come against me with sword and spear and scimitar, but I come against you in the name of the LORD of hosts..." (1Samuel 17: 45)

Covered are the heavens with his glory, and with his praise the earth is filled. (Habakkuk 3: 3)

Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts!" they cried one to the other.  "All the earth is filled with his glory!" (Isaiah 6: 3)]

All: ...Hosanna in the Highest.  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.  Hosanna in the Highest.

"[Hosanna to the son of David; blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord; hosanna in the highest." (Matthew 21: 9)

Those preceding him as well as those following kept crying out: "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!  Blessed is the kingdom of our father David that is to come!  Hosanna in the highest!" (Mark 11: 9-10)

...they took palm branches and went out to meet him, and cried out: "Hosanna!  Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, (even) the king of Israel." (John 12: 13)]

Priest: You are indeed holy, O Lord, the fount of all holiness.

[Therefore, O holy One, Lord of all holiness... (2Maccabees 14: 36)]

Priest: Make holy, therefore, these gifts [the bread and wine], we pray, by sending down your spirit upon them like the dewfall, so that they may become for us the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.  At the time he was betrayed and entered willingly into his Passion, he took bread and, giving thanks, broke it, gave it to his disciples, saying: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. (Priest holds up the bread.  It is at this point that the bread literally becomes the Body of Christ.  The Priest puts down the Eucharist and kneels.  He then stands back up)

[...that the Lord Jesus, on the night he was handed over, took bread, and, after he had given thanks, broke it and said, "This is my body that is for you.  Do this in remembrance of me." (1Corinthians 11: 23-24)

Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me."  (Luke 22: 19)

While they were eating, he took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take it; this is my body." (Mark 14: 22)

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, said the blessing, broke it, and giving it to his disciples said, "Take and eat; this is my body." (Matthew 26: 26)]

Priest: In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice and, once more giving thanks, he gave it to his disciples, saying: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.  DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.  (Priest holds up the Chalice with the wine.  It is at this point that the wine literally becomes the Blood of Christ.  The priest puts down the Chalice and kneels.  He then stands back up)

[In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood.  Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." (1Corinthians 11: 25)

And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." (Luke 22: 19)

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, and they all drank from it.  He said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed for many." (Mark 14: 22)

Then he took a cup, gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, "Drink from it, all of you, for this is my blood of the covenant, which will be shed on behalf of many for the forgiveness of sins." (Matthew 26: 27-28)]

Priest: The mystery of faith.
Congregation: We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

[For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1Corinthians 11: 26)

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to a living hope through the resurrection of  Jesus Christ from the dead. (1Peter 1: 3)]

                                                or

Congregation: When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.

[For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup you proclaim the death of the Lord until he comes. (1Corinthians 11: 26)]

                                                or

Congregation: Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.

[Moreover, we have seen and testify that the Father sent his Son as savior of the world. (1John 4: 14)

"We o longer believe because of your word; for we have heard for ourselves, and we know that this is truly the savior of the world." (John 4: 42)

For freedom Christ set us free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery. (Galatians 5: 1)]

Priest: Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you.

["My sons, be not negligent any longer, for it is you whom the LORD has chosen to stand before him, to minister to him, to be his ministers and to offer incense." (2Chronicles 29: 11)

As though it were holocausts of rams and bullocks, or thousands of fat lambs, so let our sacrifice be in your presence today as we follow you unreservedly (Daniel 3: 40)]

Priest: Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.

[The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ?  The bread that we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ?  Because the loaf of bread is one, we, though many, are one body, for we all partake of the one loaf. (1Corinthians 10: 16-17)]

Priest: Remember, Lord, your Church, spread throughout the world, and bring her to the fullness of charity, together with ___________ our Pope and ____________ our Bishop and all the clergy.

Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face.

[(We do not want you to be unaware, brothers, about those who have fallen asleep, so that you may not grieve like the rest, who have no hope.  For if we believe that Jesus died and rose, so too will God, through Jesus, bring with him those who have fallen asleep. (1Thessalonians 4: 13)

Many say, "May we see better times!  LORD, show us the light of your face!"...In peace I shall both lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me secure. (Psalm 4: 7, 9)

It was your right hand, your own arm, the light of your face for you favored them. (Psalm 44: 4)]

Priest: Have mercy on us, we pray, that with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God...

["And how does this happen to me, that the mother of my Lord should come to me?" (Luke 1: 43)]

Priest: ...with the blessed Apostles, and all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages, we may merit to be coheirs to eternal life, and may praise and glorify you through your Son, Jesus Christ.

[...that the Gentiles are coheirs, members of the same body, and copartners in the promise in Christ Jesus through  the gospel. (Ephesians 3: 6)

And this is the promise he made us: eternal life. (1John 2: 25)]

(The Priest takes the Body and Blood and holds them up)

Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.

Congregation: Amen.

[May he carry out in you what is pleasing  to him through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever (and ever).  Amen.  (Hebrews 13: 21)]

(The congregation stands up)

Priest: At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:
All: 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.

["This is how you are to pray: Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread; and forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors; and do not subject us from to the final test, but deliver us from the evil one." (Matthew 6: 9-13)]

Priest: Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of the Savior, Jesus Christ.

[He himself bore our sins in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for righteousness.  By his wounds you have been healed. (1Peter 2: 24)

...as we await the blessed hope, the appearance of the glory of the great God and of our savior Jesus Christ. (Titus 2: 12)]

Congregation: For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.

[Your throne, O God, stands forever and ever... (Hebrews 1: 8)

Lift up your eyes on high and see who has created these: He leads out their army and numbers them, calling them all by name.  By his great might and the strength of his power not one of them is missing! (Isaiah 40: 26)]

Priest: Lord Jesus Christ, who said to the Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give to you;

[Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. (John 14: 27)]

Priest: Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will.  Who live and reign for ever and ever.

Congregation: Amen.

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Congregation: And with your spirit.

Priest/Deacon: Let us over each other the sign of peace.

(All turn towards those around them and shake hands with one another, saying): Peace be with you.

[...Jesus came and stood in their midst and said to them, "Peace be with you." (John 20: 19)

Jesus came, although the doors were locked, and stood in their midst and said, "Peace be with you." (John 20: 26)]

Priest (quietly while breaking the Eucharist and putting a piece of it into the Chalice): May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

[Jesus said to them, "Amen, amen, I say to you, unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you do not have life within you.  Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise him on the last day." (John 6: 53-54)]

(At the same time...)

Congregation: Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.  Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.  (The congregation then kneels)

[The next day he saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world." (John 1: 29)

Hear, O LORD, for you are a God of mercy; and have mercy on us, who have sinned against you... (Baruch 3: 2)

So now if you implore God for mercy on us... (Malachi 1: 9)]

Priest (says quietly): Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, through your Death gave life to the world, free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood, from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments, and never let me be parted from you.

[Now someone approached him and said, "Teacher, what good must I do to gain eternal life?"  He answered him, "Why do you ask me about the good?  There is only One who is good.  If you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments." (Matthew 19: 16)]

                                                                         or

May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to judgment and condemnation, but through your loving mercy be for me protection in mind and body and a healing remedy.

[A wicked messenger brings on disaster, but a trustworthy envoy is a healing remedy. (Proverbs 13: 16)]

(The priest kneels down briefly, and then raises the Body and Blood of Jesus and says aloud:) Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world.  Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

[Then the angel said to me, "Write this: Blessed are those who have been called to the wedding feast of the Lamb." Revelation 19: 9)]

Congregation: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

[He [Jesus] said to him, "I will come and cure him [your servant]."  The centurion said in reply, "Lord, I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof; only say the word and my servant will be healed." (Matthew 8: 7-8)

And Jesus went with them, but when he was only a short distance from the house, the centurion sent friends to tell him, "Lord, do not trouble yourself, for I am not worthy to have you enter under my roof.  Therefore, I did not consider myself worthy to come to you; but say the word and let my servant be healed. (Luke 7: 6-7)]

Priest (says quietly): May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.  (He then eats the Body of Christ.  Then he says quietly) May the Blood of Christ keep me safe for eternal life. (He then drinks the Blood of Christ.  Afterwards, the Priest as well as others (the Deacon and/or Eucharistic Ministers) receive the Body and Blood of Christ, and then receive a portion of it to help distribute to the rest of the congregation.  It is at this point that everyone in the congregation, who so chooses to, receives the Body and/or Blood of Jesus Christ.)

The Mass and Scripture (Part 3)

Here is part 1 and here is part 2.



(The next part of Mass is the reading of Scripture.  This is done at every Mass because of the importance of coming to know the Scriptures, as it is considered to be the Word of God)

[These Jews were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, for they received the word with all willingness and examined the scriptures daily to determine whether these things were so.  (Acts 17:11)

(The Lector stands up and approaches the podium.  He/She reads the scripture readings for the day (every Catholic church in the world follows the same scripture readings every day).  The Lector begins with the First Reading, a passage from Holy Scripture normally taken from the Old Testament.)

Lector (after First Reading is complete): The Word of the Lord.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.

[So they spoke the word of the Lord to him and to everyone in his house.  (Acts 16: 32)

But thanks be to God... (Romans 6: 25, Romans 7: 25, 1Corinthians 15: 57, 2Corinthians 2: 14, 2Corinthians 8: 16)

Thanks be to God... (2Corinthians 9: 15)]

(Either the Lector or a choir singer says/sings the Psalm Reading, a passage from the Holy Scripture normally taken from the Book of Psalms.)

(The Lector then begins to read the Second Reading, a passage from the Holy Scripture normally taken from a non-Gospel New Testament book.)

Lector (after Second Reading is complete): The Word of the Lord.
Congregation: Thanks be to God.

(All stand as the Gospel Acclamation, also known as the Alleluia verse, is sung/stated.  The congregation repeats the word Alleluia (interchangeable with Hallelujah in meaning), which means to praise the Lord (go here to learn more).  This is followed by a one-line Scripture verse, which is then followed by a repetition of the Alleluia.  During this time, the Priest or Deacon prepare to read the Gospel Reading, which is always taken from one of the four Gospels of the New Testament).

Priest/Deacon: The Lord be with you.
Congregation: And with your spirit.
Priest/Deacon: A reading from the Holy Gospel according to (name of Gospel here)
Congregation: Glory to you o Lord (everyone makes the sign of the cross on their forehead, lips, and heart)

[Worthy are you, Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power... (Revelation 4: 11)]

Priest/Deacon (after Gospel Reading is complete): The Gospel of the Lord.
Congregation: Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ. (all but the Priest/Deacon sit)

["Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles, and let all the peoples praise him." (Romans 15: 11)]

(After everyone sits the Priest (or once in a while the Deacon) goes up to the podium and gives a Homily, a speech that applies the readings of the day, and in particular the Gospel Reading, to our daily lives, teaching us how to grow in holiness and faith from what we have heard during this particular Mass)

[All scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for refutation, for correction, and for training in righteousness, so that one who belongs to God may be competent, equipped for every good work. (2Timothy 3: 16-17)]

(After the Homily is complete the Priest/Deacon sit and a moment of silence follows, for the Homily to 'sink in' to the congregation.  Then the Priest stands, and everyone else stands with him)

(The Nicene Creed is then stated by everybody participating in the Mass.  The Nicene Creed was established at the Council of Nicea in the early centuries of the Church.  It is a profession of faith that Catholics make, acknowledging what we believe.  Here it is in its entirety)

All: I believe in one God,
the Father 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 men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
(everyone bows head) and by 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 the 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,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who 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.  Amen.

[I believe in one God...invisible:

And when they heard it, they raised their voices to God with one accord and said, "Sovereign Lord, maker of heaven and earth and the sea and all that is in them... (Acts 4: 24)

For in him were created all things in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible... (Colossians 1: 16)

I believe in one Lord...all ages:

In the same way, it was not Christ who glorified himself in becoming high priest, but rather the one who said to him: "You are my son; this day I have begotten you" (Hebrews 5:5)

Everyone who believes that Jesus Christ is begotten by God, and everyone who loves the father loves (also) the one begotten by him. (1John 5: 1)

God from God...consubstantial with the Father: (consubstantial means 'of the same substance'; theological term meaning the Father and the Son are the very same being (i.e. God) even though they are different 'persons')

God replied, "I am who am."  Then he added, "This is what you shall tell the Israelites: I AM sent me to you." (Exodus 3: 14)

So Jesus said (to them), "When you lift up the Son of Man, then you will realize that I AM, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say only what the Father has taught me. (John 8: 28)

They answered him, "Jesus the Nazorean."  he said to them, "I AM." (John 18: 5)

Jesus answered, "I told you that I AM.  So if you are looking for me, let these men go." (John 18: 8)

For us men...heaven:

Everything that the Father gives me will come to me, and I will not reject anyone who comes to me, because I came down from heaven not to do my own will but the will of the one who sent me...For this is the will of my Father, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in him may have eternal life, and I shall raise him (on the last day."  (John 6: 37-38, 40)

and by...became man:

Jacob the father of Joseph, the husband of Mary.  Of her was born Jesus who is called the Messiah. (Matthew 1: 16)

Now this is how the birth of Jesus Christ came about.  When his mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, but before they lived together, she was found with child through the holy Spirit. (Matthew 1: 18)

"Behold, you will conceive in your womb and bear a son, and you shall name him Jesus.  He will be great and will be called Son of the Most High, and the Lord God will give him the throne of David his father, and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end."  But Mary said to the angel, "How can this be, since I have no relations with a man?"  And the angel said to her in reply, "The holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you."  (Luke 1: 31-35)

For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate:

For our sake he made him to be sin who did not know sin, so that we might become the righteousness of God in him. (2Corinthians 5: 21)

For Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the sake of the unrighteous, that he might lead you to God. (1Peter 3: 18)

[Governor Pontius] Pilate said to [the crowd], "Then what shall I do with Jesus called Messiah?"  They all said, "Let him be crucified!"  But he said, "Why?  What evil has he done?"  They only shouted the louder, "Let him be crucified!"  When Pilate saw that he was not succeeding at all, but that a riot was breaking out instead, he took water and washed his hands in the sight of the crowd, saying, "I am innocent of this man's blood.  Look to it yourselves."...After he had Jesus scourged, he handed him over to be crucified.  (Matthew 27: 22-24, 26)

So Pilate, wishing to satisfy the crowd, released Barabbas to them and, after he had Jesus scourged, handed him over to be crucified. (Mark 15: 15)

With loud shouts, however, they persisted in calling for his crucifixion, and their voices prevailed.  The verdict of Pilate was that their demand should be granted. (Luke 23: 23-24)

They cried out, "Take him away, take him away!  Crucify him!"  Pilate said to them, "Shall I crucify your king?"  The chief priests answered, "We have no king but Caesar."  Then he handed him over to them to be crucified.  (John 19: 15-16)

He suffered death:

But Jesus cried out again in a loud voice, and gave up his spirit. (Matthew 27: 50)

 Jesus gave a loud cry and breathed his last. (Mark 15: 37)

Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "Father, into your hand I commend my spirit"; and when he had said this he breathed his last. (Luke 23: 46)

When Jesus had taken the wine, he said, "It is finished."  And bowing his head, he handed over the spirit.  (John 19: 30)

and was buried:

He [Joseph of Arimathea] went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus; then Pilate ordered it to be handed over.  Taking the body, Joseph wrapped it (in) clean linen and laid it in his new tomb that he had hewn in the rock.  Then he rolled a huge stone across the entrance to the tomb and departed. (Matthew 27: 58-60)

Joseph of Arimathea...came and courageously went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  Pilate was amazed that he was already dead.  He summoned the centurion and asked him if Jesus had already died.  And when he learned of it from the centurion, he gave the body to Joseph.  Having bought a linen cloth, he took him down, wrapped him in the linen cloth and laid him in a tomb that had been hewn out of the rock.  Then he rolled a stone against the entrance to the tomb.  (Mark 15: 43-46)

He [Joseph of Arimathea] went to Pilate and asked for the body of Jesus.  After he had taken the body down, he wrapped it in a linen cloth and laid him in a rock-hewn tomb in which no one had yet been buried. (Luke 23: 52-53)

Now in the place where he had been crucified there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had yet been buried. So they laid Jesus there because of the Jewish preparation day; for the tomb was close by. (John 19: 41-42)

and rose again...Scriptures:

Then the angel said to the women in reply, "Do not be afraid!  I know that you are seeking Jesus the crucified.  He is not here, for he has been raised just as he said." (Matthew 28: 5-6)

Very early when the sun had risen, on  the first day of the week, they [Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome] came to the tomb....On entering the tomb they saw a young man sitting on the right side, clothed in a white robe, and they were utterly amazed.  He said to them, "Do not be amazed!  You seek Jesus of Nazareth, the crucified.  He has been raised; he is not here." (Mark 16: 2,5-6)

"He is not here, but has been raised.  Remember what he said to you while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of Man must be handed over to sinners and be crucified, and rise on the third day." (Luke 24: 6-7)

Then the other disciple also went in, the one who had arrived at the tomb first, and he saw and believed.  For they did not yet understand the scripture that he had to rise from the dead. (John 20: 8-9)

For I handed on to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures; that he was buried; that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures.  (1Corinthians 15: 3-4)

He ascended...of the Father:

The one who descended is also the one who ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things.  (Ephesians 4: 10)

Jesus said to her, "Stop holding on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father.  But go to my brothers and tell them, 'I am going to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.'" (John 20: 17)

As he blessed them he parted from them and was taken up to heaven.  (Luke 24: 51)

So then the Lord Jesus, after he spoke to them, was taken up into heaven and took his seat at the right hand of God. (Mark 16: 19)

He will...dead:

He commissioned us to preach to the people and testify that he is the one appointed by God as judge of the living and the dead. (Acts 10: 42)

...but they will give an account to him who stands ready to judge the living and the dead. (1Peter 4: 5)

They said, "Men of Galilee, why are you standing there looking at the sky?  This Jesus who has been taken up from you into heaven will return in the same way as you have seen him going into heaven.  (Acts 1: 11)

And his kingdom will have no end:

and he will rule over the house of Jacob forever, and of his kingdom there will be no end. (Luke 1: 33)

I believe in the Holy Spirit...proceeds from the Father and the Son:

When the Advocate comes whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth that proceeds from the Father, he will testify to me. (John 15: 26)

Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. (2Corinthians 3: 17)

who with...prophets:

"Well did the holy Spirit speak to your ancestors through the prophet Isaiah..." (Acts 28: 25)

...which was not made known to human beings in other generations as it has now been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit... (Ephesians 3: 5)

for no prophecy ever came through human will; but rather human beings moved by the holy Spirit spoke under the influence of God. (2Peter 1: 21)

I believe in one, holy, catholic [universal], and apostolic [passed on from the apostles] Church:

there will be one flock, one shepherd. (John 10: 16)

...that he might present t himself the church in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or any such thing, that she might be holy and without blemish. (Ephesians 5: 27)

I, then, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace: one body and one Spirit, as you were also called to the one hope of your call; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is over all and through all and in all. (Ephesians 4: 1-6)

He [Jesus] is the head of the body, the church.  He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things he himself might be preeminent. (Colossians 1: 18)

So then you are no longer strangers and sojourners, but you are fellow citizens with the holy ones and members of the household of God, built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the capstone. (Ephesians 2: 19-20)

I confess one baptism for the forgiveness of sins:

Paul then said, "John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, in Jesus." (Acts 19: 4)

...one Lord, one faith, one baptism... (Ephesians 4: 5)

John (the) Baptist appeared in the desert proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins. (Mark 1: 4)

He went throughout the whole region of the Jordan, proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins... (Luke 3: 3)

I look forward...Amen:

(I) am on trial for hope in the resurrection of the dead." (Acts 23: 6)

For since death came through a human being, the resurrection of the dead came also through a human being.  For just as in Adam all die, so too in Christ shall all be brought to life... (1Corinthians 15: 21-22)]

(What follows from the Nicene Creed is the Prayer of the Faithful.  The Lector walks up to the podium and reads a list of intentions for the Congregation to pray for in their hearts.)

Lector [at the end of each intention]: We pray to the Lord.
Congregation: Lord, here our prayer.


(The Priest then says a Collect Prayer, to which the Congregation replies, "Amen."  Then the Congregation sits.)



This was very helpful in discovering more of the Nicene Creed in Scripture.  Check it out.  Even more to come later ;)