What to Do When You Can’t Go to Mass—An In-Home Celebration of the Word

When we are unable to participate in Holy Mass, we can still recite some of the prayers from the liturgy, ponder the readings from Mass and pray a prayer of “Spiritual Communion.” This is not a liturgy and we lay faithful, of course, should not try to play priest. But reciting some of prayers from the liturgy such as the Our Father or the “I Confess…” prayer and pondering the readings from Mass is a wonderful thing the lay faithful can do on their own, not just during extraordinary circumstances when Masses are canceled, but throughout their ordinary days to enrich their spiritual lives.

Below is a simple example of something a family or small group of friends could do if they are unable to get to a Mass. Readings for Sundays or weekdays could be found online.

Optional: Pick a Christian Hymn to Sing Together at the Start

Sign of the Cross

Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

Leader and People Together:

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,
through my fault,
through my fault,
through my most grievous fault;
therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin,
all the Angels and Saints,
and you, my brothers and sisters,
to pray for me to the Lord our God.

Leader: Lord, Have Mercy
People: Lord Have Mercy
Leader: Christ, Have Mercy
People: Christ, Have Mercy
Leader: Lord, Have Mercy
People: Christ, Have Mercy

READINGS FROM SCRIPTURE:  Check online for the Mass readings for the day.

1st Reading
Reader: A reading from ….   (Read today’s reading from the Word of God.)
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks Be to God

Responsorial Psalm 

2nd Reading
Reader: A reading from ….   (Read today’s reading from the Word of God.)
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks Be to God

Gospel
Reader: A Reading from the Holy Gospel According to … (Read today’s Gospel)
People: Glory to You, O Lord

OPTIONAL: Briefly discuss the readings with your family/friends. Perhaps the leader can prepare a question to start a short discussion on how something from one of the readings might apply to our lives. Or simply sit quietly and briefly reflect on the readings in your heart.

CREED
Leader and People Together:
I believe in one God,
the Father almighty,
maker of heaven and earth,
of all things visible and invisible.
I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ,
the Only Begotten Son of God,
born of the Father before all ages.
God from God,
Light from Light,
true God from true God,
begotten, not made, consubstantial with the Father;
through him all things were made.
For us men and for our salvation he came down from heaven,
            At the words that follow, up to and including ‘and became man’, all bow.
and by the Holy Spirit was incarnate of the Virgin Mary,
and became man.
For our sake he was crucified under Pontius Pilate,
he suffered death and was buried,
and rose again on the third day
in accordance with the Scriptures.

He ascended into heaven
and is seated at the right hand of the Father.
He will come again in glory
to judge the living and the dead
and his kingdom will have no end.
I believe in the Holy Spirit, the Lord, the giver of life,
who proceeds from the Father and the Son,
who with the Father and the Son is adored and glorified,
who has spoken through the prophets.
I believe in one, holy, catholic and apostolic Church.
I confess one Baptism for the forgiveness of sins
and I look forward to the resurrection of the dead
and the life of the world to come. Amen.

PRAYERS OF PETITON
Individuals offer prayers of petition
People Respond: Lord, Hear Our Prayer

THE LORD’S PRAYER
Leader and People Together:
Our Father, who are in heaven,
Hallowed be thy name;
Thy kingdom come,
Thy will be done
On earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
Ad forgive us our trespasses,
As we forgive those wo trespass against us;
And lead us not into temptation,
But deliver us from evil.

SPIRITUAL COMMUNION
Leader and People Together:
My Jesus,
I believe that You are present in the Most Holy sacrament.
I love you above all things,
And I desire to receive You into my soul.
Since I cannot at this moment
Receive You sacramentally,
Come at least spiritually into my heart.
I embrace You as if You were already there
And unite myself wholly to You.
Never permit me to be separated from you.
Amen.

TAKE SOME MOMENTS FOR QUIET PRAYER AFTER SPIRITUAL COMMUNION

Closing Prayer: Hail Mary

Leader and People Together:
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee.
Blessed art thou among women,
and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus.
Holy Mary, Mother of God,
pray for us sinners now and at the hour of our death.
Amen.

Closing Sign of the Cross
Leader: In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.
People: Amen.

Optional: Pick a Closing Hymn to Sing Together