The Divine Liturgy

The essential elements of the public worship of the Catholic Church, in the Sacrifice of the Eucharist and the administration of the sacraments, are the same in all Catholic rites. What is called the "Mass" in the West is called "Divine Liturgy" in the Eastern Churches.

The rite celebrated at Nativity parish is the Byzantine rite, which originated in the ancient Church at Constantinople. The Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom is most often used within the Byzantine rite, but is not the only Liturgy available.

Worship in the Ukrainian Catholic Church is characterized by a great sense of God's holiness, a reverence for the sacred, a humble dependence on the power and mercy of God and faith in the intercessory power of the Mother of God and all the Saints. There is a strong tradition of congregational singing without instrumentation, with traditional melodies adopted to our liturgical texts. At Nativity parish, the majority of the Divine Liturgy is said in English, with some responses and prayers said in Ukrainian.

The Liturgy consists of three main parts:

The entire text of the Liturgy of St. John Chrysostom.

THE PREPARATION

Prior to Divine Liturgy the priest prepares the bread and wine which will be consecrated during the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Reciting Scripture passages from the Prophets and the Gospels which speak of the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, he cuts small loaves of leavened bread into smaller pieces which will be distributed as Holy Communion. He remembers and prays for the needs of the living and the deceased.

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

During the Liturgy of the Word the focus is on the proclamation of the Gospel—the Good News of Jesus Christ—as recorded in the Scriptures.

The major portions are as follows:

THE LITURGY OF THE SACRIFICE

Having been fed by the Word of God, we now turn to the central mystery of our faith—participation in the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ through the celebration of the Eucharist.

"Eucharist" refers to the Body and Blood of Christ; it literally means "thanksgiving," and it expresses our gratitude for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life we receive in Holy Communion.

The major portions are as follows: