Order of the Catholic Mass

This is a translation into ASL of the Catholic Mass. To understand the glossing system used, go to the Glossing system used for songs and ritual texts. The following symbology is used to show who is speaking: P = priest, L = lector, C = congregation, A = all, and N = replace with the appropriate name. Each section is glossed independently and notes are offered so that the ASL translation can be compared with the English translation used in American Catholic churches. If you are interpreting for a Deaf person who is not familiar with the Catholic mass, you could sign YOUR-TURN when it is the congregation's turn to say something so that the Deaf consumer(s) can know that it is their turn to sign. It is, of course, their decision if they want to copy the interpreter's sign, sign it in the way they wish, or remain silent.

My choice is to spatialize Jesus on the left (since he is at the right hand of God and therefore on the left from our perspective), to put God the Father on the right, and the Holy Spirit in the middle. When God as a whole is meant, I spatialize Him in the middle. The notes on signs are cummulative, that is, if a sign is described in an earlier section, it is not described later. Try a search of the page if you don't find a description of the sign you need.

Ideally, the priest, the choir director, and other relevant church workers should share texts with you that will be use for the service. You should be able to get the hymns and the music the choir and soloists will perform a week or so before the service. Some people who are responsible for the music are strangely territorial and may give you trouble, sadly. Explain to them as musical performers that there is a need to try and make the signed hymns look rhythmic and clarify any old-fashioned English and complex concepts as much as possible. If they cannot relate to this, go over their heads. The prayers of the faithful are usually printed out for the lector and should be available the same day. Ask if a second copy can be made for you. Some homilists (people who offer the sermon) may print out notes for themselves; ask them if you could have a copy to read shortly before the service and get there early in order to do so. The readings and other special liturgical units that may be added on special Holy Days are standard on a three-year cycle: A, B, and C. Know which cycle you are in and get a copy of the missal so that you can read it beforehand. For translations into glossed ASL (written in English to show which signs to use) of the various readings, see or Most of the readings have also been videotaped in ASL and can be purchased from Deaf Missions.

Introductory Rites

Greeting

(form A)

P: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.
C: And also with you.

(form B)

P: The grace and peace of God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ be with you.
C: Blessed be God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (or) And also with you.

(form C)

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

Penitential Rite (Actus Paenitentialis)

(form A)

P: My brothers and sisters, to prepare to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins.
A: I confess to almighty God, to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned through my own fault my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do. 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.
P: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
C: Amen.

(form B)

P: Lord, we have sinned against you.
C: Lord, have mercy.
P: Lord, show us your mercy and love.
C: And grant us your salvation.
P: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
C: Amen.

(form C)

P: You were sent to heal the contrite: Lord have mercy.
C: Lord have mercy.
P: You came to call sinners: Christ have mercy
C: Christ have mercy.
P: You plead for us at the right hand of the Father: Lord have mercy.
C: Lord have mercy.
P: May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
C: Amen.

Kyrie (Kyrie) (Omit if form C of the Penitential Rite was used)

A: Glory to God in the highest, and peace to his people on earth. Lord God, heavenly King, almighty God and Father, we worship you, we give you thanks, we praise you for your glory. Lord Jesus Christ, only Son of the Father, Lord God, Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us; you are seated at the right hand of the Father: receive our prayer. 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.

Opening Prayer (Collecta)

P: Let us pray. (A prayer is offered)
C: Amen.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading (Lectio Prima)

To find the reading you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

L: (after the reading) This is the word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Responsorial Psalm (Psalmus)

To find the Psalm you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

Second Reading (Lectio Secunda)

To find the reading you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

L: (after the reading) This is the word of the Lord.
C: Thanks be to God.

Alleluia (Alleluia)

A: Alleluia!

Gospel acclamation

I have translated some of the gospel acclamations at Responsorial Psalms.

Gospel (Evangelium)

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: A reading from the holy gospel according to N.
C: Glory to you, Lord.

To find the Gospel you need to prep or translate, go to

Readings and Psalms for the Month.

P: (after the reading) This is the gospel of the Lord.
C: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Homily (Homilia)

(The homily is delivered.)

Profession of Faith (Credo)

A: We believe in one God, the Father, the Almighty, of heaven and earth, of all that is seen and unseen. We believe in one Lord, Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, eternally begotten of the Father, God from God, Light from Light, true God from true God, begotten, not made, one in Being with the Father. Through him all things were made. For us men and our salvation, he came down from heaven: (All bow during the italicized lines) by the power of the Holy Spirit, was born of the Virgin Mary, and became man. For our sake he was crucified Pontius Pilate, he suffered, died and was buried. On the third day he rose again in fulfillment of the Scriptures; he ascended into heaven and is seated at the right hand of the Father. He will come again in glory to judge the living and the dead, and his kingdom will have no end. We believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life, who proceeds from the Father and the Son. With the Father and the Son he is worshipped and glorified. He has spoken through the Prophets. We believe in one holy catholic and apostolic Church. We acknowledge one baptism for the forgiveness of sins. We look for the resurrection of the dead, and the life of the world to come. Amen.

General Intercessions (Oratio Universalis Seu Oratio Fidelium)

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST (Liturgia Eucharistica)

Preparation of the Altar and Gifts

P: Blessed are you, Lord, of all creation. Through your goodness we have this bread to offer, which earth has given and human have made. It will become for us the bread of life.
C: Blessed be God forever.
P: Blessed are you, Lord, God of all creation. Through your goodness we have this wine to offer, fruit of the vine and work of human hands. It will become our spiritual drink.
C: Blessed be God forever.
P: Pray, brethren, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.
C: 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 Church.

Prayer over the Gifts (Oratio Super Oblata)

P: (A prayer is offered)
C: Amen.

Eucharistic Prayer II (Prex Eucharistica II)

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.
P: Lift up your hearts.
C: We lift them up to the Lord.
P: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
C: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Preface (Preface) (Usually with Eucharistic Prayer II)

P: Father, it is our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks through your beloved Son, Jesus Christ. He is the Word through whom made the universe, the Savior you sent to redeem us. By the power of the Holy Spirit, he took flesh and was born of the Virgin Mary. For our sake he opened up his arms on the cross; he put an end to death and revealed the resurrection. In this he fulfilled your will and won for you a holy people. And so we join the angels and the saints in proclaiming your glory as we sing (say):

Acclamation (Acclamation)

A: Holy, holy, holy Lord. God of power and might. 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.
P: Lord, you are holy indeed, the fountain of all holiness. Let your Spirit come upon these gifts to make them holy, so that they may become for us, the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Before he was given up to death, a death he freely accepted, he took bread, gave you thanks. He broke the bread, gave it to his disciples and said TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT: THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. When supper was ended, he took the cup. Again he gave you thanks and praise, gave the cup to his disciples, and said: TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT: THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT. IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL MEN SO THAT SINS ARE FORGIVEN. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

Memorial Acclamation (Memorial Acclamation)

P: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

A: Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

P: In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup. We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you. May all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ be brought together in the unity by the Holy Spirit. Lord, remember your Church throughout the world: make us grow in love, together with N. our Pope, N., our bishop, and all the clergy. Remember our brothers and sisters who have gone to their rest in the hope of rising again; bring them and all the departed the light of your presence. Have mercy on us all; make us worthy to share eternal life, with Mary, the virgin mother of God, with the apostles, with all the saints who have done your will throughout the ages. May we praise you in union with them, and give you glory through your Son, Jesus Christ.

Concluding Doxology (Concluding Doxology)

P: Let us pray with confidence to the Father in the words our Savior gave us:
A: Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name; thy kingdom come; thy 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.

Doxology (Doxology)

P: Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.
C: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever.

Sign of Peace (Sign of Peace)

P: Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever.
C: Amen.
P: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
C: And also with you.
P: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

Breaking of the Bread (Breaking of the Bread)

A: 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.
P: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper. A: Lord, I am not worthy to receive you, but only say the word and I shall be healed.

Communion (Communion)

P: The body of Christ.
C: Amen.
P: The blood of Christ.
C: Amen.

Prayer After Communion (Postcommunio)

P: Let us pray. (A prayer is offered.)
C: Amen.

Concluding Rite (Ritus Conclusionis)

P: The Lord be with you.
C: And also with you.

Blessing (Blessing)

(form A)

P: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

(form B)

P: Bow your heads and pray for God's blessing. (A prayer is offered.)
P: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
C: Amen.

(form C)

P: (A prayer is offered.) And may the blessing of almighty God, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit, come upon you and remain with you for ever.
C: Amen.

Dismissal (Dismissal)

P: The Mass is ended, go in peace.
C: Thanks be to God.

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