Celebration of Mass for spiritual participation
HOLY MASS
A weekday Mass is celebrated, specifically for meditative participation from the home, for those who either can not or do not wish to attend a formal service but who nevertheless desire to strengthen or to maintain their fellowship and interaction within the household of Christ . Those who are interested are invited to link their intentions and prayers with ours on these occasions, so that they may participate spiritually in the Mass and, through sincere and reverent attunement and adoration, receive the blessings of the Eucharist. This will be an important work of united prayer for all who are involved.
These Masses will be celebrated by clergy of the Catholic Church of Antioch in various locations: in the United Kingdom, in the United States of America, in Belgium, in France and in Italy.
Most usually, these Masses will be celebrated on Wednesdays at 19:30 GMT, but depending on the provisions of the Liturgical Calendar they may on occasion require to be transferred to another day. The schedule regarding this will be updated as necessary on this website.
Home participation in this schedule of Masses requires nothing more than an open heart and a turning of the mind to God in prayer and contemplation. A special place may be set apart in the home for the occasion, and if desired a cross may be displayed and lighted candles used. Or a single white lamp or candle may be set in place, to symbolise the Light and Presence of Christ.
PARTICIPATION
(1) At the appropriate time, while standing, begin by making the Sign of the Cross, saying 'In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen'.
(2) Sitting quietly, let your contemplation be of the immeasurable and unconditional loving-kindness of God and of the presence of God's light about you. Mentally say to yourself, 'I will participate spiritually in the Holy Mass which is being celebrated by the Nicene Apostolic Church'.
(3) When you feel ready, read these verses from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians: Chapter 1, verses 3 to 8.
(4) Let yourself relax as completely as you are able, and feel yourself to be open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Remain sitting quietly for as long as you desire, so that the process of attunement, of spiritual participation, may be effectively accomplished and that you may spiritually receive the blessings of the Mass. At any point of this contemplative process, you may say any prayer which spontaneously arises in your heart.
(5) When you feel ready - and remember, there is truly no need for haste - read these verses from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians: Chapter 3, verses 14 to 19.
(6) Finally, conclude as you began with the Sign of the Cross.
If a more specific participation in the rite is sought, the Mass can be followed in detail using the church's Missal, 'Come and Worship', or the Mass can be followed using the text given on the website page titled 'Eucharistic Rite'.
A weekday Mass is celebrated, specifically for meditative participation from the home, for those who either can not or do not wish to attend a formal service but who nevertheless desire to strengthen or to maintain their fellowship and interaction within the household of Christ . Those who are interested are invited to link their intentions and prayers with ours on these occasions, so that they may participate spiritually in the Mass and, through sincere and reverent attunement and adoration, receive the blessings of the Eucharist. This will be an important work of united prayer for all who are involved.
These Masses will be celebrated by clergy of the Catholic Church of Antioch in various locations: in the United Kingdom, in the United States of America, in Belgium, in France and in Italy.
Most usually, these Masses will be celebrated on Wednesdays at 19:30 GMT, but depending on the provisions of the Liturgical Calendar they may on occasion require to be transferred to another day. The schedule regarding this will be updated as necessary on this website.
Home participation in this schedule of Masses requires nothing more than an open heart and a turning of the mind to God in prayer and contemplation. A special place may be set apart in the home for the occasion, and if desired a cross may be displayed and lighted candles used. Or a single white lamp or candle may be set in place, to symbolise the Light and Presence of Christ.
PARTICIPATION
(1) At the appropriate time, while standing, begin by making the Sign of the Cross, saying 'In the Name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen'.
(2) Sitting quietly, let your contemplation be of the immeasurable and unconditional loving-kindness of God and of the presence of God's light about you. Mentally say to yourself, 'I will participate spiritually in the Holy Mass which is being celebrated by the Nicene Apostolic Church'.
(3) When you feel ready, read these verses from the Letter of Paul to the Ephesians: Chapter 1, verses 3 to 8.
(4) Let yourself relax as completely as you are able, and feel yourself to be open to the inspirations of the Holy Spirit. Remain sitting quietly for as long as you desire, so that the process of attunement, of spiritual participation, may be effectively accomplished and that you may spiritually receive the blessings of the Mass. At any point of this contemplative process, you may say any prayer which spontaneously arises in your heart.
(5) When you feel ready - and remember, there is truly no need for haste - read these verses from Paul's Letter to the Ephesians: Chapter 3, verses 14 to 19.
(6) Finally, conclude as you began with the Sign of the Cross.
If a more specific participation in the rite is sought, the Mass can be followed in detail using the church's Missal, 'Come and Worship', or the Mass can be followed using the text given on the website page titled 'Eucharistic Rite'.
