Liturgy 101 - Parts of the Mass #6

Parts of the Mass – The Collect

Following the Gloria, the celebrant invites the people to pray. He then concludes the introductory rites with a prayer called the Collect. It is so called because of its history.

In the early days of the church, when the now familiar invitation “Let us pray” was given, the gathered assembly knelt in silent prayer. When they were invited to stand, the celebrant gathered up or “collected” their prayers in a general petition.