1 INTRODUCTORY RITES Entrance and greeting Penitential Rite Glory to God in the highest Prayer 22 LITURGY OF THE WORD Readings from Sacred Scripture Old Testament and Letters of the Apostles Gospel Homily Profession of Faith (Creed) Prayer of the Faithful Offertory 3 LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST Consecration Epiclesis (invocation of the Holy Spirit) Consecration of the bread Consecration of the wine Our Father 4 CONCLUDING RITE Blessing Dismissal Recessional “The center of the liturgical season is Sunday which is the foundation and kernel of the entire liturgical year and has its culmination in the annual celebration of Easter, the feast of feasts. In the liturgical year the Church celebrates the whole mystery of Christ from his Incarnation to his return in glory. On set days the Church venerates with special love the Blessed Virgin Mary, the Mother of God. The Church also keeps the memorials of saints who lived for Christ, who suffered with him, and who live with him in glory” (Compendium of the CCC, nn. 241-242). 150