Let Us Pray

Paul Turner is pastor of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Kansas City, Missouri, and director of the Office of Divine Worship for the Diocese of Kansas City––St. Joseph. He holds a doctorate in sacred theology from Sant’ Anselmo in Rome. He is a former president of the North American Academy of Liturgy and a member of Societas Liturgica and the Catholic Academy of Liturgy. He is the author of numerous books published by Liturgical Press and a contributor to Give Us This Day. Most recently, he is the recipient of four awards from the 2025 Catholic Media Association Book Awards, including First Place for Author of the Year. Visit his website at https://paulturner.org.

• ContentsAcknowledgments   ixAbbreviations   xiIntroduction   1Making judgments   2The documents   2Local variations   4Liturgical theology   4Historical precedent   7Scriptural influence   7Cultural sensitivity   8Courtesy and common sense   8Variety and constancy in the Mass   9Introductory Rites   10Before Mass   10The gathering of the people   10The assembly   10Arriving   11Seating   13Sitting   14Seating for ministers   15Furniture   16Sanctuary   16Altar   17Ambo   18Chair   18Other features   19Books   19Vesture   21Vessels   23Cloths   25Credence table   28Cross   29Candles   30Flowers   31Tabernacle   32Other objects   32Entrance chant   33The song   33Leading the song   36Other matters   37Procession   38Order of procession   38Reverencing the altar   41Bows and genuflections   41Placement of objects   42Kissing the altar   43Incensing the cross and the altar   44Going to seats   45Sign of the cross   45Greeting   46Introduction   47Content   47Minister   48Location   48Penitential act   48Blessing and sprinkling of water   50Glory to God   53Changes to the Introductory Rites   55Collect   55Liturgy of the Word   60Choice of readings   60Introduction to the Liturgy of the Word   61Reader   62Going to the ambo   63Proclaiming the readings   64Hearing the readings   65Concluding the readings   65First reading   66Responsorial psalm   66Second reading   69Sequence   69Gospel acclamation   70Actions during the gospel acclamation   71Procession   72Gospel   73Homily   76Dismissal of catechumens   78Creed   79Universal Prayer   82Purpose and nature   82Ministries   82Location   83Intentions   83Response   84Concluding prayer   85Liturgy of the Eucharist   86Preliminaries   86Offertory chant   86Collection   87Preparing the altar   88Procession of the gifts   89Gifts   90Bread   90Appearance   90Hosts   91Size   92Quantity and vessels   92Wine   93Procession   95Preparation of the gifts   96Receiving the gifts   96Taking the bread   97Adding water   98Taking the cup   100Private prayer   101Incensing the gifts   101Washing hands   103Invitation and response   104Prayer over the offerings   105Eucharistic Prayer   106Meaning   106Introduction   107Choice of prayer   107Singing   109Structure   110Dialogue   110Preface   111Holy, Holy, Holy   112Transition: Prayer I from the Holy, Holy, Holy to the  institution narrative   113Transition: Other Eucharistic Prayers from the Holy, Holy, Holy to the institution narrative   114Institution narrative and consecration   115Memorial acclamation   118Anamnesis and oblation   119Intercessions   120Final doxology   121Communion rite   122Lord’s Prayer   122Rite of peace   124Prayer to Christ   124Greeting of peace   125Sign of peace   125Breaking Bread   127Fraction   127Lamb of God   129Communion from the tabernacle   130Posture   131The priest’s Communion   132Preparation   132“Behold the Lamb of God”   132Immediate preparation and the Body of Christ   134Immediate preparation and the Blood of Christ   134Communion chant   135Deacon’s Communion   137Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion   138Communion of the faithful   139Both kinds   139Procession   140The Body of Christ   141The Blood of Christ   143Intinction, tube, spoon   144Blessings   145Returning to seats   146After Communion   147Communion to the sick and homebound   147Consuming the remains   148Reposition 149Purification   149Thanksgiving   151Prayer after Communion   152Closing Rites   155Announcements   155Blessing   156Dismissal   157Recession   159Liturgical Renewal   161Some specific issues   161Shadows of the previous Missal   161“Offertory” and “preparation of the gifts”   162Standing for the Eucharistic Prayer   164Sign of peace   165Communion under both kinds   166Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion   167Preparing for liturgy   168Some general matters   168Abuses   168The nature of rubrics   169