GUIDELINES FOR COMMENTATOR

1. Before the procession:

a. “Good morning/afternoon/evening brothers and sisters.

Welcome to our Eucharistic celebration. Today is _______” (season:
nth day of advent, lent, ordinary time, etc.)

b. Read the Mass intentions:

“Let us include in our prayers the following intentions:”
1. thanksgiving by:
2. special intentions of:
3. repose of the souls of: (include all souls in purgatory after all
the names have been mentioned.)

c. If any, make the announcement for a second collection:

“ A 2nd collection will be taken up in our mass for….”

d. Cell phone announcement:

“To preserve the solemnity of this celebration, may we
request that cell phones be turned off or put in silent mode.
Thank you.”

Please take note: For the 6:30 am Sunday Mass in the Parish Church:

1. Begin 7 minutes before mass schedule.

2. The Angelus will be recited after the reading of items a, b, c & d above.

2. At the processional, when the priest and ministers bow at the foot of the altar,
the Commentator should also face the altar and bow in place.

3. Penitential Rite:
Priest: To prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to
mind our sins. (pause) Let the priest start:

“I CONFESS TO ALMIGHTY GOD / AND TO YOU, MY

BROTHERS AND SISTERS / THAT I HAVE GREATLY SINNED, IN
MY THOUGHTS / AND IN MY WORDS / IN WHAT I HAVE
DONE / AND IN WHAT I HAVE FAILED TO DO, (striking our
breast, we say) THROUGH MY FAULT, THROUGH MY FAULT,
THROUGH MY MOST GRIEVOUS FAULT/ THEREFORE I ASK THE
BLESSED MARY EVER-VIRGIN / ALL THE ANGELS AND
SAINTS / AND YOU, MY BROTHERS AND SISTERS / TO PRAY
FOR ME TO THE LORD OUR GOD.”

4. Liturgy of the Word: Wait for the Lector to stand before the ambo; read the
Introduction to the reading. No need to say: Introduction to the 1 st
reading

5. If there is no psalmist: The lector reads the Responsorial Psalm. Repeat

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 the Responsorial Psalm with the people.

6. Wait for the second reader to stand before the ambo before reading the
introduction to the 2nd reading. No need to say: Introduction to the 2nd reading.

7. Gospel: After the second reading and saying “Thanks be to God”, say “LET US
ACCLAIM THE HOLY GOSPEL” …

8. Creed: After the Homily please wait for the priest to get back to the Chair, then
proceed to say the creed :

“I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and earth,

and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was conceived by the
Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered under Pontius Pilate, was
crucified, died and was buried; he descended into hell; on the third day
he rose again from the dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at
the right hand of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to
judge the living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the communion of
saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of the body and life
everlasting. Amen.”

9. Prayers of the Faithful: Lead the response after the priest says the opening
prayer.

10. Liturgy of the Eucharist: Sit without saying a word.

11. Presentation of the Gifts:

Priest: Blessed are you Lord………It will become for us the
Bread of life.
Commentator: “BLESSED BE GOD FOREVER!”

Priest: Blessed are you Lord……It will become our spiritual

drink.
Commentator : “BLESSED BE GOD FOREVER!”

12. After the priest washes his hands, Stand without saying a word.
Priest: Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours, may be acceptable to
God, the Almighty Father.
Commentator: “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for
the praise and glory of His name, for our good, and the good of
all his holy Church.”

13. Acclamation: After the priest says “ The mystery of Faith.”

and before the choir sings, stand without saying a word.

14. Sign of Peace

Priest: The peace of the Lord be with you always.

Commentator: And with your spirit.

15. Communion
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 Priest : Behold the Lamb of God ………….the supper of the Lamb.
Commentator: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but
only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

16. If any, make an announcement for a second collection, after the communion
and before the last reflection song (coordinate this with the choir before
the mass).

17. Prayer after communion: When the priest stands, stand without saying a
word.

18. Announcements: “PLEASE BE SEATED FOR SOME ANNOUNCEMENTS.”

Read the announcements slowly and clearly.

19. Concluding rite: “THANK YOU FOR LISTENING. PLEASE ALL STAND FOR
THE FINAL BLESSING.”

20. At the Recessional, when the priest and ministers bow before the altar, the
Commentator should also face the altar and bow in place.

GUIDELINES FOR LECTOR

1. 1st Reader:

1. Bring the Book of the Gospels during the procession. Place the book
on the ‘book stand’ on the Altar…then go to your seat. If there is a
deacon, he will bring the Gospel Book during the procession.
2. Liturgy of the Word:
a. Move to the front and bow to the Altar.
b. Go to the priest for his blessing. (When there is a deacon, NO
NEED to get a blessing from the priest. Go straight to the
lectern.)
c. Go to the ambo for the readings. Wait for the commentator to
finish reading the introduction, then:
1) “A reading from…..” PAUSE (silently/
mentally count 1..2..3), then proceed with
the reading.

2) AFTER THE LAST WORD, PAUSE (silently/mentally

count 1..2..3), then say“ The Word of the Lord.”
d. Responsorial Psalm (if there is no psalmist): Pause before
READING THE RESPONSORIAL PSALM. After the
commentator repeats the psalm with the faithful, read the
verses.
e. Wait for the 2nd reader, bow together and go back to your seat.

2. 2nd Reader:
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1. Wait for the commentator to finish reading the introduction, then:
1) “ A reading from ….” PAUSE (silently/mentally count
1..2..3), then proceed with the reading.
2) after the last word, PAUSE (silently/mentally count 1..2..3), then
say “ The Word of the Lord.”
2. For the Alleluia verse, say: “ALL TOGETHER PLEASE….” Recite
the verse with the congregation.

3. Creed: Go to the ambo when the Priest moves to his chair. Recite the
Creed together with the congregation.
“I believe in God, the Father almighty, Creator of heaven and
earth, and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, our Lord, who was
conceived by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, suffered
under Pontius Pilate, was crucified, died and was buried; he
descended into hell; on the third day he rose again from the
dead; he ascended into heaven, and is seated at the right hand
of God the Father almighty; from there he will come to judge the
living and the dead.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the holy catholic Church, the
communion of saints, the forgiveness of sins, the resurrection of
the body and life everlasting. Amen.”

4. Prayers of the Faithful: After the commentator reads the response,

repeat the response with the congregation. Read the prayer intentions
including “we pray” or “let us pray”.

5. Wait for the priest to finish the Prayers of the Faithful and say “AMEN”
before leaving the ambo.

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