I just don’t understand the Catholic posts. Presbyterian services are so simple. We sing, there’s a sermon, and then some more singing. That’s it.
You are missing a lot.
This particular thread is about emphasizing the vocations of the consecrated life, sisters, nuns, brothers, monks.
About three years ago or so the year emphasized the Year of the Priest and the call to that vocation.
Maybe there will be a year emphasizing the call to marriage and the family soon. Would be OK with me.
If you have an interest in learning about the Catholic Mass, I recommend you read the book: A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do In the Liturgy. The author is Dr. Ed Sri, a professor at The Augustine Institute, a Catholic graduate school of Theology located in Denver. It is available at Amazon for under $12. In this book, Dr. Sri explains every aspect of the Mass, nearly all of which is derived from both Jewish and Christian practices.
Every practicing Catholic would find this book to be highly enlightening. So, if you are Catholic and wonder why the Mass is what it is, read this book!
We begin with a hymn, then pray "In the Name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit." We express sorrow for our sins, asking God for forgiveness; we praise God, in preparation to hear His Written Word. The Collect is a prayer then offered by the priest on behalf of the congregation.
What you see written on the site as Readings for the day, are from the Old Testament; The Psalms; the New Testament Epistles, and finally, the Gospel.
The readings are such that, on a three-year cycle of Masses, the entire Bible is covered! The readings are arranged according to a theme for each day, and the priests homily expresses what the Scriptures say, and how each reading ties in together as Jesus fulfills His Gospel mission, and how that mission ties in to our lives as followers of Jesus.
Next is the time when the bread and wine, the wine mixed with a little water, are then offered to God. We ask that the Miracle that Jesus gave us at the Last Supper may take place. In the midst of praise of God, prayer for all His children, living and dead, the priest recalls the Last Supper. As he speaks the words, THIS IS MY BODY for the bread, and THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD for the chalice of wine, each immediately becomes the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord Jesus Christ! Together we say a great AMEN to this great Mystery, and prepare to recieve Him in this way by praying the prayer He gave us, the Lord's Prayer. We ask for His Mercy and Peace, declaring our unworthiness of such a great Gift: then trusting in Him, believing in Him we recieve Him! We give thanks in the quiet of our hearts, then are blessed and dismissed.
We actually sing a lot! When the priest comes in; during the offering of the bread and wine; during the time we receive Jesus, and as the priest leaves.
Thank you for your comment! I hope my thumbnail description makes things a little clearer! EWTN on television, radio, internet, and even shortwave has daily Mass on several times each day, if you ever would like to see or hear a Mass- again, my description is only a brief one!
May God bless you, and bring you a beautiful year ahead!