Liturgy 101 =- Parts of the Mass #3

Parts of the Mass – The Penitential Rite

Following the celebrant’s greeting is the Penitential Rite, which has developed over time to its present form. Originally, it was restricted to the celebrant and ministers. Upon arriving at the altar, they would lay face down to pray the penitential on behalf of those gathered. Eventually, it was prayed in an upright position, but quietly and amongst the celebrant and ministers. Finally, it came to its present two forms.

The first form is a general confession invoking the support of the communion of saints and the community gathered (“I confess …”) . The second form, which was once prayed silently, is a variation of a litany which is sometimes sung, known as the Kyrie. We are familiar with this as “Lord have mercy, Christ have mercy, Lord have mercy”.