What to expect at mass
Perhaps it's been a long time since you've attended a Mass, or maybe it will be your first time. You may not be familiar with the responses or what is happening at the Mass. That is okay! We want you to know that you are welcome at Canadian Martyrs. What's most important is that you've come to be with God. Don't hesitate to introduce yourself to another parishioner and let them know you are new to the church. We'd be happy to help you and answer any questions you may have!
What is the Mass?
The Mass is the most important prayer of the Catholic Church. The Mass is where we come together as a community to worship God, to hear His Word, and most importantly, receive Him in the Holy Eucharist.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches us that the Eucharist is the "source and summit of the Christian life" (paragraph 1324), for although the Eucharist looks like a small piece of bread, it is truly the full body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ Himself. When we receive the Eucharist, we receive Jesus. At the Mass, we experience the moment of the Last Supper Jesus had with His Apostles.
"Then he took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is my body, which will be given for you; do this in memory of me.”
And likewise the cup after they had eaten, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in my blood, which will be shed for you." Luke 22:19-20
Throughout His time on earth, Jesus emphasized the importance of receiving Him in the Eucharist. He said to His disciples,
"I am the living bread that came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever; and the bread that I will give is my flesh for the life of the world." John 6:51
The Eucharist is the greatest gift God has given to the Church. We hope that you are able to come and experience this gift for yourself! If you are not a Catholic, we ask that you refrain from receiving the Eucharist, as receiving is a sign of unity of belief in the Real Presence of Jesus among Catholics. You are welcome to come up to receive a blessing during the distribution of the Eucharist. To do so, simply place your arms across your chest to indicate to the priest that you'd like to receive a blessing. In this way, you can invite Jesus spiritually into your heart. If you are interested in becoming Catholic, please let us know! We'd be happy to journey with you.
How to Receive Holy COmmunion
(as per the Guidelines of the Diocese of Hamilton)
Our communion with the Lord is an expression of our communion with all those who have gathered for the celebration, and indeed, with all members of the Church. The reception of Holy Communion is not a personal devotion, but an act of communion with the entire Body of Christ, head and members.
The hymn sung during the Communion Procession is “intended to express the spiritual communion of the communicants by means of the unity of their voices, to show gladness of heart, and to bring out more clearly the communitarian character of the procession to receive the Eucharist.” We are encouraged to sing the refrain as we approach the minister.
When approaching the priest or minister, the communicant makes a simple bow of the head (not a profound bow or genuflection). Common gestures express common faith.
In Canada, the common posture for receiving Communion is standing. Common postures express common faith. Kneeling at this time expresses one’s private devotion and can be dangerous for those coming to Communion next.
When receiving in the hand, the communicant extends both hands, palms up, with one hand under the other (to make a throne for the King) and upon receiving the Sacred Host, responds: “Amen” The communicant immediately consumes the Body of the Lord.
When receiving on the tongue, the communicant, after saying “Amen” extends their tongue so that the priest or minister can place the Body of Christ easily on the tongue.
We do not genuflect to the altar or the empty tabernacle after receiving Communion, since we have just consumed the Body
of the Lord.
After receiving Communion and returning to one’s place, it is fitting to join in the singing of the Communion hymn.
After all have received Communion, it is appropriate to observe a period of silent prayer.
Prayer before Eucharist
I ask you, most generous Lord: graciously heal my infirmity, wash me clean, illumine my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.
May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as may secure my soul’s salvation. Grant as I may receive not only the visible sign of the Lord’s Body and Blood, but also all the reality and the power of the sacrament.
Grant most kind God, that I may receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which he received from the Virgin Mary, and may receive it in such a way that I become a loving part of his Mystical Body and counted among his members.
O most loving Father, grant me your beloved Son.
While on this earthly pilgrimage, I receive him under the veil of this sacrament; so may I come at last to see him face to face for all eternity. For he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
“It is not to remain in a golden ciborium that He comes down each day from Heaven, but to find another Heaven, the Heaven of our soul in which He takes delight.”
St. Therese of Lisieux
Prayer after Eucharist
“Dearest Lord,
teach me to be generous.
teach me to serve you as you deserve;
to give and not to count the cost;
to fight, and not to heed the wounds;
to labor, and not to seek to rest;
to give of myself and not to ask for reward,
except the reward of knowing
that I am doing your will.”
Prayer of St. Ignatius of Loyola