Celebrating the Mass Lesson- Opening Procession

(This lesson is in accordance with the new Roman Missal that is to be implemented on November 27, 2011.)

*Be sure to adjust this lesson to fit the needs of your students.


(Please take in consideration that I am just a Mom and I'm providing these lessons and activities to the best of my abilities. I will try to make them as accurate as possible, but I know I will make a few mistakes and it was not intentional.)



Mass begins with everyone standing and singing the opening hymn. If incense is used the procession is lead by a thurifer carrying a thurible with burning incense. Next comes the cross bearer holding aloft the Processional Cross and usually there are two altar servers holding candles on either side. If there are other servers, they follow behind the cross bearer. If there are concelebrants (one or more priests who are not the principle celebrant), they come next. Then comes the deacon or lector who carries the Book of the Gospels overhead. Last is the presider of the liturgy, a priest or bishop. If there are two deacons, one will be with the Mass celebrant. When they arrive at the sanctuary of the church, together they make a profound bow toward the altar. The Book of the Gospels is then placed on the altar. The deacon and priest will go to the altar and venerate (honor) it by kissing it. If appropriate, the priest incenses the cross and the altar. The priest then walks and stands in front of the celebrant’s or presider’s chair. During the whole procession we stand and sing the opening hymn.



Questions:

If incense is used who carries the thurible? (The Thurifer.)

What does the cross bearer hold aloft? (The Processional Cross.)

Who carries the Book of the Gospels? (The deacon or Lector.)

Who is last in the Procession? (The presider of the liturgy, a priest or bishop.)

What happens when they all arrive at the sanctuary of the church? (Together they make a profound bow toward the altar.)

What does the deacon and priest do when they go to the altar? (They venerate it by kissing it.)

What are we doing during the Opening Procession? (We stand and sing the opening hymn.)



Crafts:

What does the cross bearer hold aloft? (The Processional Cross.)

Make crosses.

daniellesplace.com- Cross Crafts (several cross crafts listed)

christiancrafters.com- Mosaic Cross
Easy cross necklace/magnet that all kids can make.

christiancrafters.com- Colors of Christ Cross (neat tip at the bottom for younger students)

momontimeout.com- Stained Glass Cross Craft

kindercraze.com- Stained Glass Cross

catholicicing.blogspot.com- Cross Crafts for Kids (lots of different kinds are posted)



Worksheets:

The worksheets below are free, however they can only to be used for classroom and personal use. They may not be published on any websites or other electronic media, or distributed in newsletters, bulletins, or any other form or sold for profit. Reproduction or retransmission of any materials, in whole or in part, in any manner, is not permitted. All graphics/images/clipart etc. used on these worksheets are not my own and are from various internet sources.


Opening Procession (for younger students)- Cut out pictures and trim. With the pictures that are given, glue them in the proper order that they appear in the Opening Procession.

Opening Procession- Match the words in the first column to the best available answer in the second column.