Make the Sign of the Cross.

EVENING PRAYERS

Never go to bed without thanking God for all the benefits you have received during the day and during your whole life.  Kneel down.  Make the Sign of the Cross.  Then say the Our Father, Hail Mary, the Apostles’ Creed, the Confiteor, and Glory be.

Now think how you have acted during the day.  Are there any big sins on your soul?  Any little sins?  Try to tell Jesus how sorry you are for all your sins, and say the Act of Contrition (page 4).

Jesus, Mary, Joseph, I give you my heart and my soul.  Jesus, Mary, Joseph, assist me in my last agony.  Jesus, Mary, Joseph, may I breathe forth my soul in peace with you.  O my God, bless my father, mother, and all my relatives and friends.  May the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace.  Amen.

Bless yourself with holy water.

+ In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen.

PRAYERS FOR MASS

[The Mass prayers are an arrangement of those contained in Father Finn’s “Prayer Book for Catholic Youth” (also known as Father Finn’s Boys’ and Girls’ Prayer Book).  They follow closely in simplified language the spirit and liturgy of the “Ordinary of the Mass,” so that children will become readily accustomed to using the Church’s own prayers and follow the priest at the altar.  The rubrics when to sit, stand or kneel at Low Mass are given.

If it is found desirable to have the children recite prayers aloud and in unison at Mass, certain parts suitable for this purpose are marked with an asterisk (*).]

Remember that the church is the house of God, where the living God dwells.  And where God is, His holy angels too are present.  In church, therefore, be reverent and modest in your behavior, and always be in time.  When you enter, bless yourself with holy water and go quietly to your seat, genuflect on your right knee and enter the pew.

PRAYER BEFORE MASS

O my God, I am only a child; help me to be attentive, and to pray with all my heart during this holy Mass.

The priest comes out to begin Mass.

Stand

The priest carries in his hands the chalice, covered with a cloth.  The priest goes up to the middle of the altar, and sets down the chalice.  Then he goes to the right side and opens the book.

After that he comes down to the foot of the altar, and makes the Sign of the Cross.

THE MASS OF THE CATECHUMENS (From the Beginning to the Offertory)

Kneel

In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.  Amen. I will go in to the altar of God, to God Who gives joy to my youth. Judge me, O God.  Keep me safe from all evil.  Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Ghost.  As it was in the beginning, is now and ever shall be, world without end.  Amen.  I will go in to the altar of God.  To God Who gives joy to my youth.