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Catholic Priests and Deacons Have Vesting Rituals and Prayers

Archbishop Philip and Bishop Charlene Bradley, an Episcopal Married Couple - Bishops Follow The Same "Vesting" Rituals and Prayers as do Priests and Deacons

Catholic priests and deacons have vesting rituals and prayers where they recite specific prayers while donning each vestment, a ritual known as "vesting," which includes prayers for the amice, alb, cincture, maniple, stole, and chasuble. These prayers are a spiritual preparation for the Mass, with each prayer symbolizing moral and spiritual truths, such as the "helmet of salvation" for the amice or the "stole of immortality" for the stole.

These prayers are not mandatory, rather they are more of a traditional way of reminding the priest of the duties and obligations of their sacred service while helping them to prepare their hearts and minds to be fully present and worthy to take on this work.

While he/she washes their hands

Give strength to my hands, Lord, to wipe away all stain, so that I may be able to serve Thee in purity of mind and body.

As they place the Amice over their head

Lord, set the helmet of salvation on my head to fend off all the assaults of the devil.

As they put on the Alb

Purify me, Lord, and cleanse my heart so that, washed in the Blood of the Lamb, I may enjoy eternal bliss.

As they tie the Cincture

Lord, gird me with the cincture of purity and extinguish my fleshly desires, that the virtue of continence and chastity may abide within me.

As they put the Stole around their neck

Lord, restore the stole of immortality, which I lost through the collusion of our first parents, and, unworthy as I am to approach Thy sacred mysteries, may I yet gain eternal joy.

(Deacons) As the Dalmatic is put on

Lord, vest me in the garment of salvation, the vestment of joy.

May I always be surrounded with the dalmatic of justice.

As the priest puts on the Chasuble

O Lord, who has said, ‘My yoke is sweet and My burden light,’ grant that I may so carry it as to merit Thy grace.

Can You Have Mass Without a Priest?

Lay people authorized by the priest may have a communion service, but not say Mass. The full Mass can only be said by a priest (or bishop), because the Eucharist is consecrated at Mass and that requires Apostolic Succession.

A Deacon may say a Deacon’s Mass which is only the Liturgy of The Word plus distributing the Eucharist which was previously consecrated/confected by a priest.

The (full) Mass is typically composed of two primary parts, or "liturgies," which have evolved from early Christian worship practices: the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

The Liturgy of the Word - This section focuses on scripture readings, including selections from the Old Testament, a Psalm, New Testament epistles, and the Gospel. It culminates in the homily (or sermon), the recitation of the Nicene Creed, and the Universal Prayer (or Prayers of the Faithful).
The Liturgy of the Eucharist - This is considered the heart of the Mass for Catholics. It includes the preparation of the bread and wine, the Eucharistic Prayer (consecration), the communion rite (including the Lord's Prayer), and the distribution of the Holy Eucharist to the congregation.

The Deacon’s Mass then is a bit of a mix involving the Liturgy of the Word and the distribution of the (previously consecrated) Eucharist but NOT the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Other Important Aspects:

Priests are also encouraged to pray the prayers of the Church, and to meditate on the Scriptures, the Eucharist, The Holy Rosary and other traditions of the church.
They should strive to live out their faith in their lives, and to lead the people of the church in prayer and in holiness by example.

Vesting Rituals and Prayers - Priests and Deacons Other Prayers Before Mass, Devotions etc.

Bishop Charlene (Left) Archbishop Twose (Center) and Archbishop Philip as Archbishop Twose Presents the Eucharist During The Liturgy of The Eucharist at Holy Mass

Before Mass and during other Catholic devotions, priests and deacons typically use prayers from the Divine Office, as well as prayers specific to the moment like "The Lord is My Shepherd" or the "Angelus", reinforcing their faith and preparing their hearts for the liturgy.

Here's a breakdown of the prayers used by priests and deacons in preparation for Mass and other devotions:

Prayers before Mass:

The Divine Office:
The Divine Office is a series of prayers recited daily by priests, consisting of psalms, readings, and hymns, which helps them to focus on God and to prepare for the Mass.

Other Prayers Before Mass

O God, almighty and merciful, grant us through this Holy Sacrifice, joy and peace, a holier life, time to do penance, grace and consolation of the Holy Spirit, and perseverance in good works. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.

For Clergy Students

O blessed Saint Anthony, I place my studies under your powerful protection, through your intercession may the Holy Spirit fill me with light, strength, intelligence and humility. I implore the creator of all things to grant me the ability to grasp things correctly, and the talent of exactness in my explanations. Amen.

For Bishops

O Jesus, our great High Priest, hear my humble prayers on behalf of your priests. Give to us all a deep faith, a bright and firm hope and a burning love which will ever increase in the course of our priestly lives. In our loneliness, comfort us. In our sorrows, strengthen us. In your service make us worthy of thy calling. Amen.

For Deacons or Altar Servers

Heavenly Father, as I prepare to assist You at Your altar, I declare my faith in You. At this Mass, keep me from distractions. Let me remember that in assisting the priest I am assisting Jesus in offering You the merits of His passion and death. I thank You for allowing me the opportunity to give my service to You.

Daily Prayer for Priests

O good Jesus, make me a priest after your own heart. Most beloved Jesus, with a singular benevolence you have called me from among thousands to follow you in the excellence of priestly dignity. I beg you for the divine strength to rightly fulfill my ministry.

A Priests Blessing

May the LORD bless you, and keep you; May the LORD make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; May the LORD lift up His face to you, and give you peace.

Mass Preparation For The Public

A Young Woman Receives Holy Communion From Archbishop Philip

5 Practical Ways for everyone to Prepare for Mass

Study the Amazing Symbolism and Scriptural Basis for the Mass.
Read the Mass Readings Beforehand.
Arrive Early and/or Observe 15-30 Minutes of Silence Before Mass.
Use the Missalette or Bring a Missal.
Ask Your Guardian Angel to Help You Stay Attentive.

Prayer of Preparation based on Ephesians 3:18-19

O Lord, we pray that you would give us the strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that we may be filled with your fullness. Amen.

Eucharistic Preparation Prayer

O Lord, Jesus Christ, King of everlasting glory, behold I desire to come to you this day, and to receive your Body and Blood in this heavenly Sacrament, for your honor and glory, and the good of my soul. I desire to receive you, because it is your desire, and you have so willed it: blessed be your Name forever.

An Act of Contrition

O my God, I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee, and I detest all my sins because of thy just punishments, but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and deserving of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of Thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

SACRISTAN'S PRAYER

Heavenly Father, please pour your blessings on my ministry today. It is an honor and privilege to serve the Lord at his table. that I may fulfill my duties with grace and devotion. I ask this in the name of Jesus whom I serve with Joy.

PRAYER BEFORE MASS FOR ALL

O God, to whom every heart is open, every desire known and from whom no secrets are hidden; purify the thoughts of our hearts by the inspiration of your Holy Spirit, that we may perfectly love you, and worthily praise your holy name. Amen.

Hope this occasional reminder helps.

Fast before Mass.
No Food and Drink in Church. (Exceptions for infants and health requirements)
Men take your hats off.
Don't chew gum in church.
Dress modestly and appropriately. (Respect for God.)
Cell phones should never be used in Mass for calls, emails or texting.
No hand-held game devices.
Arrive on time (show up a few minutes earlier)
Don’t sit on the end of a pew and block others
Genuflect to the tabernacle entering and leaving
Sit quietly
Attend to or remove noisy children

A Final Wee Bit of Guidance - Mistakes People Make at Mass

Show up Late or leave early.

Not singing, or at least mouthing the words. Also, music ministers need to choose music that the average person can sing.

Not donating anything. It’s the act, not the amount that opens our hearts to charitable love. It’s an important part of prayer. We only place a donations box at the back of the building and do not take up a monetary offering. Small change thrown in that box pays for the building upkeep or rental.

Go to confession ahead of mass when you feel the need, so you don't end up not receiving the Eucharist due to feelings of guilt or unworthiness.

Open your mouth properly if taking the Eucharist in your mouth. (It’s not a contest to see how small a target the priest can hit, lol.) Likewise if you want the Eucharist to go into your hands, please hold them high enough that the priest can easily see that this is your intention. If your hands are low most priests will automatically aim for your mouth.

Please don’t judge the priest based on their homiletics/sermon skills. Not everyone is a good public speaker. That doesn’t relate to being a poor or sub par priest.

Make church a sent free zone. Otherwise there will be some people who simply cannot be there.

Avoid unnecessary talking. (Parents may need to speak with their children.)

Catholic Priests and Deacons Have Vesting Rituals and Prayers

Vesting Rituals and Prayers - Priests and Deacons Other Prayers Before Mass, Devotions etc.

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