The Entrance Song is sung as the Priest approaches the altar. Look at the Hymnal Board on the left and right sides of the church for the song number in the blue "Breaking Bread" book.
When you hear the bell ring, stand and face the procession. Make the Sign of the Cross by touching your forehead, heart, left shoulder and right shoulder, then put your palms together in prayer as the priest says:
Priest: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
And with your spirit.
Brothers and sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, and so prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned, in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done and in what I have failed to do, (strike breast 3x) through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God.
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie, eléison.)
Christ, have mercy.
Christ, have mercy. (or Christe, eléison.)
Lord, have mercy.
Lord, have mercy. (or Kyrie, eléison.)
The absolution by the Priest follows:
May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
Amen.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.
Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.
For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen
Let us pray.
After a period of silence, the Priest says the Collect, and all respond:
Amen.
Sit.
At this point, children 3 - 6 years old are invited up for Kid Church at the 8:30 and 11:30 Masses.
After each reading, the lector will end:
The word of the Lord.
Thanks be to God.
Stand as the priest says:
Alleluia, alleluia.
Alleluia, alleluia.
Bow to the Gospel as the presider walks by holding it high.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
A reading from the holy Gospel according to N.
Glory to you, O Lord.
With your thumb, make a small Sign of the Cross on your forehead, lips, and heart while silently praying, "May your Word be on my mind, on my lips, and in my heart".
After the Gospel is proclaimed, the priest says,
The Gospel of the Lord.
Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
Bow when Gospel passes by then sit during homily.
At the end of the homily, we pause for a few moments of silent reflection.
In Masses where Catechumens or Elect are present who are preparing to enter the Church, the Priest will call them up for a blessing and send them out to further discuss the readings.
On Sundays, solemnities, and special occasions, we stand as Father says:
Let us profess our faith.
Let us pray to the Lord.
Lord, hear our prayer.
Father, receive our prayers.....we ask this through Christ our Lord.
Amen
Sit.
Kids return from Kid Church at the Offertory time.
The response is: Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
For all the people of St. Stephen Martyr Church that according to today’s Gospel, our hearts are opened to the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, to teach us everything we need to know, and remind us of everything Jesus. We pray to the Lord…. R. Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
For our newly elected Pope Leo XIV, that the Lord renders His leadership of the Church abundantly fruitful and that the joy of the election of the first American pope may open many hearts to consider vocations to serve the Church, especially from this parish. We pray to the Lord. Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
For all those who are traveling this summer, and especially those going on religious pilgrimages, may their journeys be safe and renewing, and may they bring the love of God wherever they go. We pray to the Lord.… R. Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
For the Diocesan Home Missions, that the generosity of the People of God allow our bishop to bring the Sacraments, and the ministry of the Church to every corner of the Richmond diocese. We pray to the Lord. Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
On this Memorial Day weekend, we pray in gratitude for all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice of their lives in defense of this nation. We pray for the consolation of their families, and for the protection of all those in the armed forces. We pray to the Lord….Have mercy victor King, have mercy!
For all those who have sent in prayer requests to our parish website and prayer line. For those who are struggling in their families, battling addiction, seeking work or homes, or in need of spiritual or emotional healing, we now pray for a moment in silence. We pray to the Lord... Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
For all the sick and suffering, the elderly, infirm, and housebound. We especially pray for……Parish Prayer List. We pray to the Lord. Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
For all our beloved dead, especially...Parish Prayer List. We pray to the Lord. Have mercy, Victor King, have mercy!
Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy church.
If you want to make a worship offering to God, you may give here.
Stand.
Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and your may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands. For the praise and glory of his name. For our good and the good of all your Church.
The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation...with all the hosts and powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without, end we acclaim:
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
The Priest has over ten different texts to choose from. During this prayer, he asks the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine so that they become the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. The Priest then says the words of Jesus as we kneel.
"Take this, all of you, and eat of it, for this is my Body, which will be given up for you."
As the bells rings during the consecration of the Bread, bow your head and pray silently, "My Lord and my God."
In a similar way..."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."
As the bells rings during the consecration of the Blood, bow your head and pray silently, "My Lord and my God."
After the Body and Blood of Christ are raised, we say or sing and acclamation. The most common is:
The mystery of faith.
We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
During the rest of the Eucharistic Prayer, we pray for the whole Church. At the end, the Priest says:
Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Hoy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
Amen.
At the Savior's command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: Stand.
Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed by they name; they kingdom come, they 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.
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 our Savior, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom, the power and the glory are yours now and for ever.
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you, 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.
Amen.
The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Exchange a sign of peace and say:
Christ's peace be with you.
Then the Priest take the host, breaks it over the paten, and places a small piece in the chalice. Meanwhile, the following is sung or said:
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.
Kneel.
Raising the consecrated Body and Blood of Christ, the Priest says:
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.
Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
If you have not yet received your First Communion, process up and cross your arms over your heart for a blessing. If you are a Catholic in good standing, process up and bow reverently before receiving the Eucharist. You may receive the Body of Christ on your tongue or make a throne with your hands.
The Body of Christ.
Amen.
The Blood of Christ.
Amen.
Consume the consecrated Host immediately.
Kneel and pray. Sit after the tabernacle doors are closed.
Father will invite the Extraordinary Ministers who are bringing Communion to the Homebound to come forward for a blessing.
Alleluia! Alleluia!
Let us offer our thankful praises to Jesus, Risen in glory, and now present in me in this Most Blessed Sacrament. The Lamb of God is now my Bread of Life. The Paschal Victim is now food for my soul. The One who was raised up now raises me into the heart of the Trinity. Alleluia! Alleluia!
Jesus living in the Eucharist, come and live in me. Jesus healing in the Eucharist, come and heal me. Jesus sacrificing yourself in the Eucharist, come and suffer in me. Jesus rising in the Eucharist, come and rise to new life in me. Jesus loving in the Eucharist, come and love in me.
Queen of Heaven, and Mother of the Eucharist, rejoice! Alleluia!
Father often makes announcements.
Almighty and every loving God...through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
Stand.
Stand.
Saint Michael, the Archangel, defend us in battle. Be our protection against the wickedness and snares of the devil. May God rebuke him, we humbly pray; and do thou, O Prince of the Heavenly Host, by the power of God, cast into Hell Satan and all other evil spirits who prowl about the world seeking the ruin of souls. Amen.
Father does Birthday Blessings on Sundays.
Father will invite those bringing Eucharist to the Homebound to come forward and leave.
In these or similar words the Priest or Deacon dismisses the people:
Go forth in peace glorifiying the Lord with yor life.
Thanks be to God.
The Lord by with you.
And with your spirit.
May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
Amen.
Leave after the last verse. of the Closing Hymn.