Hi learning2b! Here are some points that might help, have taken some of the things in quotes from various Catholic sites:
the V with a slash in it (priest?) The R?
These stand for “Versicle” (“a short sentence spoken or chanted by a priest”) and “Response” (what the people answer).
pray for, turn to, “N.” (is that the name of someone or one of the Gospels?)
Yes, it basically means “insert appropriate name here” because the names can change. Ex: “We pray for our bishop, N.” (In my diocese, our bishop just retired so we have gone from Paul to Michael).
What is a proper of saints?
The proper is “a part of the Christian liturgy that varies according to the date, either representing an observance within the liturgical year, or of a particular saint or significant event.” So if the Priest celebrating a particular saint that day at Mass, various prayers are changed to reflect that. Ex: February 21 is the feast day of Saint Peter Damian, so the Priest might use an opening prayer like this:
"Grant, we pray, almighty God, that we may so follow the teaching and example of the Bishop Saint Peter Damian, that, putting nothing before Christ and always ardent in the service of your Church, we may be led to the joys of eternal light. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen."
I pretty much have ordinary time down what is “solemnities”
The Church commemorates various important events throughout the liturgical year; solemnities denote the most important ones. Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation are solemnities. Some examples: Sacred Heart of Jesus, Saints Peter and Paul, Saint Joseph…Feast days are another “step down” on the scale, and then you have Memorials (which can be optional or obligatory).
What are prefaces?
The Preface is the prayers the Priest says before we all sing the “Holy, Holy, Holy.” It generally changes according to the season that we’re in (i.e., Advent, Lent, Easter, Ordinary Time, etc.). When the Priest says “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God” and we say “It is right and just,” he then continues with the Preface saying, "It is truly right and just…"
How do you know what prayers the priest is going to read? There seem to be options.
**Which prayers are you referring to? All of the opening and closing prayers change according to the day. As for the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest can generally choose which one he will use, although there are guidelines:
Eucharistic Prayer 1 (or “Roman Canon”), appropriate on major feasts/saint’s days
Eucharistic Prayer 2, shortest, often used in daily Masses
Eucharistic Prayer 3, preferred on Sundays
Eucharistic Prayer 4, longer, "gives a fuller summary of salvation history.” **
I am fascinated and in love with this little book.
What is an antiphon?
**An antiphon is “one or more psalm verses or sentences from Holy Scripture,” that can be sung or merely recited. For example, if you are attending Mass on a weekday, the people might recite the Communion Antiphon before going up to take Communion (as opposed to a Sunday Mass when you generally have a choir/cantor singing a hymn).
**
What are solemn blessings? Votive masses?
**A solemn blessing might be said by the Priest at the conclusion of a Mass on a special occasion. It’s done right before we are dismissed. The Priest will say “The Lord be with you” and we say “And with your spirit.” Then the priest says “Bow your head and pray for God’s blessing.” The solemn blessing is then given in three parts, with the people saying “Amen” after each. Ex:
Easter Sunday Solemn Blessing
Priest: May almighty God bless you on this solemn feast of Easter, and may he protect you against all sin.
People: Amen.
Priest: Through the resurrection of his Son, God has granted us healing. May he fulfill his promises, and bless you with eternal life.
People: Amen.
Priest: You have mourned for Christ’s sufferings; now you celebrate the joy of his resurrection. May you come with joy to the feast which lasts for ever.
People: Amen.
Priest: May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.
A Votive Mass is a Mass celebrated “in honor of some mystery of the faith, or the Blessed Virgin, or of a saint or all the saints, but not in the liturgical calendar for that day.”**
Perhaps others can jump in where I might have misspoke or not have been clear?
But something went wrong because we weren’t matching up. I was using the St. Joseph that my mom sent me and I have obtained a Daily Roman Missal that should be here this week. I need to know what I’m doing when I get to the church. It’s embarrassing to be so ignorant. Any help is appreciated. am scouring the web now for a site or two. Hope everyone has had an awesome day.