Clarify some points

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Wander

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Hello all. Just wanted to ask some simple questions on the procedure before and during the Mass. I’ve tried searching, but can’t find threads answering my questions.

Some questions regarding kneeling and the accompanying prayers.
  1. Before Mass, after finding a place, is it necessary to kneel? Is it an acknowledgement and thanks for being able to come to be in His presence?
  2. While the Eucharist is being prepared, is one just supposed to be in awe at what’s happening or is there a prayer that goes along with it?
  3. After receiving Communion, what does one think?
As for singing, what does the Church say about it? I understand it is a sign of praise and joy, but am not sure if it is mandatory or just what is natural for what occurs during Mass. Thanks all.
 
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Wander:
Hello all. Just wanted to ask some simple questions on the procedure before and during the Mass. I’ve tried searching, but can’t find threads answering my questions.

Some questions regarding kneeling and the accompanying prayers.
  1. Before Mass, after finding a place, is it necessary to kneel? Is it an acknowledgement and thanks for being able to come to be in His presence?
  2. While the Eucharist is being prepared, is one just supposed to be in awe at what’s happening or is there a prayer that goes along with it?
  3. After receiving Communion, what does one think?
As for singing, what does the Church say about it? I understand it is a sign of praise and joy, but am not sure if it is mandatory or just what is natural for what occurs during Mass. Thanks all.
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1.) The posture you choose before Mass is purely upt to you.

2.) The Eucharist is not prepared. It is confected. Yes, the consecration of the bread and wine into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ is THE most awesome event we’ll ever witness on Earth. At the elevation of both species, one often prays “My Lord and My God” silently, but it’s certainly no requirement.

3.) I personally give thanks to Jesus Christ for allowing me to be present at Calvary and for allowing me to consume His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity.
 
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Wander:
As for singing, what does the Church say about it? I understand it is a sign of praise and joy, but am not sure if it is mandatory or just what is natural for what occurs during Mass. Thanks all.
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Wander, here is a quote from the General Instructions of the Roman Missal (GIRM) about the importance of singing at Mass.
19*The Importance of Singing
*39. The Christian faithful who gather together as one to await the Lord’s coming are instructed by the Apostle Paul to sing together psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (cf. Col 3:16). Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2:46). Thus Saint Augustine says rightly, "Singing is for one who loves."48 There is also the ancient proverb: “One who sings well prays twice.”
  1. Great importance should therefore be attached to the use of singing in the celebration of the Mass, with due consideration for the culture of the people and abilities of each liturgical assembly. Although it is not always necessary (e.g., in weekday Masses) to sing all the texts that are of themselves meant to be sung, every care should be taken that singing by the ministers and the people is not absent in celebrations that occur on Sundays and on holy days of obligation.
In the choosing of the parts actually to be sung, however, preference should be given to those that are of greater importance and especially to those to be sung by the priest or the deacon or the lector, with the people responding, or by the priest and people together.49
  1. All other things being equal, Gregorian chant holds pride of place because it is proper to the Roman Liturgy. Other types of sacred music, in particular polyphony, are in no way excluded, provided that they correspond to the spirit of the liturgical action and that they foster the participation of all the faithful.50
Since faithful from different countries come together ever more frequently, it is fitting that they know how to sing together at least some parts of the Ordinary of the Mass in Latin, especially the Creed and the Lord’s Prayer, set to the simpler melodies.51
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You can read the entire document at:
usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml

L
 
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Wander:
While the Eucharist is being prepared, is one just supposed to be in awe at what’s happening or is there a prayer that goes along with it?
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In the Eastern Rite of the Catholic Church, we have “Akathist” hymns that are sung standing up (“akathist” means “standing”). They are not usually sung during the confection of the Eucharist, but I have taken one verse from the Akathist Hymn to Jesus, tweaked it just a hair, and give it to you as a prayer you might find suitable for use at this time:

O Jesus, endowed with a richness of compassion, You called the publicans, the unfaithful, and the sinners to You. Do not despise me, who am like them; but, rather, receive my prayer as a gift of precious perfume: 0 Jesus, Invincible Strength! 0 Jesus, Boundless in Mercy! 0 Jesus, Unsurpassable in Beauty! 0 Jesus, Unspeakable Love! 0 Jesus, Son of the Living God! 0 Jesus, have mercy on me, a sinner! 0 Jesus, listen to me, defiled from birth! 0 Jesus, cleanse me, born in sin! 0 Jesus, teach me, unworthy though I be! 0 Jesus, enlighten my darkness! 0 Jesus, cleanse me, a sinner! 0 Jesus, restore me, the prodigal! 0 Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me!

As you prepare to receive Our Lord in the Eucharist, you might also pray thusly: Of your mystical Supper, Son of God, receive me today as a communicant; for I will not tell of the Mystery to your enemies; I will not give you a kiss, like Judas; but like the Thief I confess you: Remember me, Lord, in your Kingdom.

May these bring you peace.
 
19*The Importance of Singing
*
  1. The Christian faithful who gather together as one to await the Lord’s coming are instructed by the Apostle Paul to sing together psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs (cf. Col 3:16). Singing is the sign of the heart’s joy (cf. Acts 2:46). Thus Saint Augustine says rightly, "Singing is for one who loves."48 There is also the ancient proverb: “One who sings well prays twice.”
Every Sunday I witness “Joy” being feigned 🙂
 
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