Part 4

Silence at various times in the liturgy is very personal and crucial to full, conscious, active participation in the Liturgy.  Therefore, it is important that we have a good understanding what the different moments of silence are calling us to do.Some are calling us to link the words or actions of the liturgy with our life.  Other times we are called to reflect on different aspects of our day to day life, to examine our actions, seek forgiveness; apply the words just spoken to ourselves; to contemplate the presence of God at that moment; to gather the assembly in our prayers; to implore God's mercy and love on others; or to acknowledge our praise and thanksgiving for specific gifts bestowed on us personally.  The Penitential Rite is filled with such moments.

The Penitential Rite emphasizes God's mercy, our radical dependence on the life, death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.  The brief silence at the beginning is to allow us to center ourselves and to offer time for us to privately examine our conscience.   The presider then again unites us as a community with these or similar words, "Coming together as God's family with confidence let us ask the Father's forgiveness, for he is full of gentleness and compassion".  This is followed by a brief silence.  Here we are to privately reflect on areas in our lives that need forgiveness.

Then we all join in saying one of the 3 forms of prayer expressing communal repentance, such as the Confiteor: " I confess to almighty God and to you my brother and sisters…" The presider next calls on God's mercy and forgiveness for himself and us.

The Kyrie eleison (Lord Have Mercy… Christ have mercy…) is a litany that implores mercy.  This is followed (except during the penitential seasons of Lent and Advent) by the Gloria.  This is a festive piece which dates back to the 6th century.  It praises and implores the Father.

The Opening Prayer

The Opening Prayer concludes the Introductory Rites. It is also known as The Collect.  It expresses briefly the focus of the day.  Silence precedes the prayer.  This silence is intended to help us realize that we are in the presence of God.  The prayer has a set structure:  an invitation to pray, a period of silence, the prayer itself, and the "Amen".  Although only the presider prays aloud, we're united in that prayer by the words, "Let US pray".