The celebration of Mass begins with a prayer offered by the priest on behalf of all those present. The Roman Missal calls this prayer the “collect.”

We are so caught up in the need to move on to the next thing that we have lost the ability to pause.

We give you thanks for your great glory

Brother and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.”

In the next series of columns over the coming year, I want to explain some of the individual parts of the Mass, both the words and gestures.

Why did the early Christians begin to construct specially designed buildings meant for no other purpose than for Christian worship?

Many people wonder what they are meant to be doing at various points during Mass.

We should try to be conscious, at the various points of Mass, of who is speaking to us and to whom we are speaking. Let me tell you what I mean.

Sunday is at the head of the week because from antiquity it has been recognized as the day when God began His work of creation.

It seems to me that it is one of my more serious faults. What do I do?