Our Mass

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

The Contemporary Rite of the
Polish National Catholic Church

      The Web site pages that are outlined below contain not only the text of the Holy Mass, but also commentary and instructions specific to the celebration of the Mass at St. Joseph’s of Stratford, Connecticut.

      It was at the Last Supper, the night before He was crucified, that Jesus Christ instituted the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist.  He blessed and shared bread and wine with His apostles, proclaiming it His Body and Blood.  The Holy Eucharist is Jesus Christ Himself mystically present in the forms of bread and wine.

      The Holy Mass is the sacrifice of the New Testament in which bread and wine are consecrated as the mystical Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.  The Eucharist is offered to God through the ministry of a priest as a perpetual commemoration of Christ's sacrifice upon the cross, which is offered once and for all time for the redemption, regeneration and salvation of humankind.

      The Holy Mass is the central point of worship and life in the National Catholic Church.  Those who share our beliefs in the Eucharist and the Catholic faith, which are summarized in the Nicene Creed, are welcome to worship God with us at Mass.  Those who are baptized in the name of the Holy Trinity and come to the altar prepared properly and repentant are invited to receive the Eucharist with us.

      Children may receive the Eucharist after they have completed catechism classes for First Holy Communion.  They may start learning if they are at least seven years old and in the second grade.

                                                        ---Bishop Anthony D. Kopka

• The Types of Masses
  • The Types of Masses
  • The Prayer before Mass
• The Opening Rite
  • The Procession
  • The Opening Hymn
  • The Hymn of Faith
• The Introductory Rite
  • The Penitential Rite (The Sacrament of Penance)
  • The Entrance Rite
  • The Gloria
  • The Opening Prayer
• The Liturgy of the Word of God
  • The Readings
  • The Gospel
  • The Hymn to the Holy Spirit
  • The Sacrament of the Word of God (the homily)
  • The Procession of Faith (Nicene Creed)
• The Liturgy of the Eucharist
  • The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist (explained)
  • The General Intercessions
  • The Offertory
    • The Offering and Blessing of Bread and Wine
    • The Prayer over the Gifts
    • The Great Thanksgiving
    • The Sanctus
  • The Canon
    • The Eucharistic Prayer (based on the Traditional Canon)
    • Prayer Intentions for the Living
    • The Consecration
    • Prayer Intentions for the Dead
    • The Minor Elevation
  • The Communion Rite
    • The Lord's Prayer
    • The Breaking of the Bread
    • The Communion Prayer
    • The Communion of the Faithful
    • The Communion Hymn
    • The Prayer after Communion
• The Concluding Rite
  • The Priest's Blessing
  • The Dismissal
  • The Closing Hymn
  • The Hymn of Resolve
  • The Hymn of the PNCC
  • The Bishop's Blessing
• Benediction of the Most Blessed Sacrament

Dictionary of Liturgical Terms