La Forma del Santo Sacrificio della Messa del Missale Gallicanum-Romanum Beginning through Collects | Epistle through the Sanctus | Canon through Consecration | Prayers after the Consecration | Conclusion THE CONCLUSION OF THE MASS The priest continues the mass after the ablutions with: THE COMMUNION VERSE After reading the Communion Verse for the day, the priest kisses the altar. Then he turns to the people in the middle of the altar, and says or sings: V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. V. Oremus. POSTCOMMUNION Here the priest reads or sings the postcommunion prayer(s) for the day. THE DISMISSAL He turns to the people in the center of the altar, first kissing the altar and saying the Dominus vobiscum, and says: V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. V. Ite, Missa est. R. Deo gratias. If the Gloria in excelsis has not been said, there is said instead of the Ite, Missa est: V. Benedicamus Domino. R. Deo gratias. In Masses for the Dead is said: S. Requiescant in pace. R. Amen. In Easter Week is said the following: V. Ite, Missa est, alleluia, alleluia. R. Deo gratias, alleluia, alleluia. THE BLESSING Bowing down before the altar, with hands joined upon it, he says: PLACEAT tibi, sancta Trinitas, obsequium servitutis meae: et praesta: ut sacrifi-cium, quod oculis tuae maiestatis indignus obtulit, tibi sit acceptabile, mihique et omnibus, pro quibus illud obtuli, sit, te miserante, propitiabile. Per Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen. He kisses the altar, and raising his eyes, extending, raising and joining his hands, he bows down his head and says: V. Benedicat vos omnipotens Deus, Pater, et Filius, + et Spiritus Sanctus. R. Amen. In Masses for the Dead, the Blessing is omitted. THE LAST GOSPEL Then turning to the Gospel side of the altar, the priest says: V. Dominus vobiscum. R. Et cum spiritu tuo. He then traces the Sign of the Cross, first upon the altar, and then upon his forehead, lips, and breast (the faithful should sign themselves as well), and says: V. Initium sancti Evangelii secundum Ioannem. R. Gloria tibi, Domine. IN principio erat Verbum, et Verbum erat apud Deum, et Deus erat Verbum. Hoc erat in principio apud Deum. Omnia per ipsum facta sunt: et sine ipso fac-tum est nihil quod factum est: in ipso vita erat, et vita erat lux hominem: et lux in tenebris lucet, et tenebrae eam non comprehenderunt. Fuit homo missus a Deo, cui nomen erat Ioannes. Hic venit in testimonium, ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine, ut omnes crederent per illum. Non erat ille lux, sed ut testimonium perhiberet de lumine. Erat lux vera quae illuminat omnem hominem venientem in hunc mundum. In mundo erat, et mundus per ipsum factus est et mundus eum non cognovit. In propria venit, et sui eum non receperunt. Quotquot autem rece-perunt eum, dedit eis potestatem filios Dei fieri, his, qui credunt in nomine eius: qui non ex sanguinibus, neque ex voluntate carnis, neque ex voluntate viri, sed ex Deo nati sunt. (Here all kneel.) Et Verbum caro factum est, et habitavit in nobis: et vidimus gloriam eius, gloriam quasi Unigeniti a Patre, plenum gratiae et veritatis. R. Deo gratias. Variations to the Holy Mass for certain purposes and occasions are given in the rubrics and propers of the missal, the Ceremonial, and Pontifical Instructions. [Return to the General Liturgy Page]     [Main Page]       DISCLAIMER, LEGAL, AND COPYRIGHT NOTICES