The Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) can be divided into two major sections:
- The Mass of the Catechumens (or Fore-Mass) – roughly equivalent to the Liturgy of the Word.
- The Mass of the Faithful – which includes the Offertory, Canon, and Communion.
Each of these major sections includes numerous distinct parts, which I will list below in order of their appearance in the Mass. I’ll also include both the Latin and the English names where relevant, along with some explanatory notes for context.
Table of Contents
I. Preparatory Prayers (At the Foot of the Altar)
These are said quietly by the priest and server before ascending the altar steps:
- Sign of the Cross – In nomine Patris…
- Antiphon and Psalm 42 (43): Judica me, Deus… – “Judge me, O God…”
- Confiteor – The Confession of sins, first by the priest, then the server.
- Absolution – Misereátur tui… Indulgéntiam…
- Versicles – Deus, tu conversus vivificabis nos…
- Prayer “Aufer a nobis” – Said by the priest as he ascends the altar.
- Prayer “Oramus te, Domine” – Said while kissing the altar.
II. The Mass of the Catechumens (Fore-Mass)
This includes the readings, psalm, and opening prayers:
- Introit – Antiphon, psalm verse, and Gloria Patri.
- Kyrie Eleison – Nine invocations: Kyrie eleison, Christe eleison…
- Gloria in Excelsis Deo – Omitted in penitential seasons or weekday Low Masses.
- Collect(s) – Opening prayer(s) of the day.
- Epistle – Reading from the New Testament (often St. Paul’s letters).
- Gradual and/or Tract / Alleluia – Chanted verses depending on the liturgical season.
- Gospel – Read (or sung) by the priest or deacon.
- Sermon – Not strictly part of the Mass proper, but traditionally given here.
- Credo (Creed) – Recited on Sundays and major feasts.
III. The Mass of the Faithful
Offertory
- Offertory Verse – A short psalm verse or antiphon.
- Offering of the Bread – Suscipe, sancte Pater…
- Offering of the Wine – Offerimus tibi, Domine…
- Prayer to the Trinity – Suscipe, Sancta Trinitas…
- Lavabo – Priest washes his fingers while saying Lavabo inter innocentes…
- Orate Fratres – “Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours…”
- Secret Prayer(s) – Silent prayer(s) before the Preface.
Canon of the Mass (Eucharistic Prayer)
This section is said entirely in a low voice and includes the consecration:
- Preface – Depending on the feast or season.
- Sanctus – Sanctus, Sanctus, Sanctus…
- Roman Canon (Canon Missae) – Begins with Te igitur…
- Consecration of the Bread and Wine – This is the heart of the Canon.
- Elevation of the Host and Chalice – With bells and genuflections.
- Anamnesis and Intercessions – Unde et memores… and prayers for the living and the dead.
- Final Doxology – Per ipsum, et cum ipso… concluding the Canon.
Communion Rite
- Pater Noster (Our Father) – Chanted or recited.
- Libera Nos (Deliver us, Lord) – Prayer for deliverance from evil.
- Fraction of the Host – Symbolizing the Passion.
- Pax Domini (Peace of the Lord) – Pax Domini sit semper vobiscum.
- Agnus Dei – Agnus Dei, qui tollis peccata mundi…
- Prayers before Communion – Including Domine, non sum dignus…
- Communion of the Priest – He alone receives under both species.
- Communion of the Faithful – If present; traditional formula: Corpus Domini nostri Iesu Christi custodiat animam tuam…
IV. Concluding Prayers
- Ablutions – Priest cleanses the chalice and his fingers.
- Communion Antiphon – A short verse from Scripture.
- Postcommunion Prayer(s) – Thanksgiving and petitions.
- Ite Missa Est / Benedicamus Domino – The dismissal.
- Blessing – Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus…
- Last Gospel – Usually the Prologue of St. John (John 1:1–14) – In principio erat Verbum…
Optional but Customary:
- Leonine Prayers (after Low Mass) – These include:
- 3 Hail Marys
- Hail Holy Queen
- Prayer to St. Michael the Archangel
- Oremus: Deus, refugium nostrum…
Notes on Form:
- Low Mass (Missa Lecta): Spoken quietly, without incense or music.
- High Mass (Missa Cantata): Sung with incense, but only one priest.
- Solemn High Mass (Missa Solemnis): Celebrated with a deacon and subdeacon.