SCRIPT FOR USE BY COMMENTATOR DURING FIRST USES OF NEW MISSAL

3RD EDITION OF ROMAN MISSAL
(Commentator does not speak from the ambo but from a lectern or some other suitable place where he or she may be seen.)
Commentator:
Good Morning (Afternoon) everyone, and welcome. Today  we join Catholics throughout most of the English-speaking world in using a revised translation of some of the responses and prayers we use at Mass.  These revised prayers and responses reflect the original Latin texts more closely, and so try to convey the meaning of those prayers more deeply. They are meant to help   all of us enter into the Eucharistic mystery more knowingly, deeply and reverently. In your pew you will find Response Cards that contain the revised translation.  Please keep that card hand as we will be referring to it at various times during today’s Mass.  In fact, please have your card ready as we will be using it right at the beginning of Mass, at Father’s greeting.	Please stand now, and join in the singing of our entrance hymn, __________________.
Commentator:
An ancient tradition in the Church is to prepare for Mass by recalling our faults and sins.   We now recall our common need for salvation and God's merciful compassion so that we may hear God’s Word and receive the Eucharist with pure hearts.
THE PRIEST CELEBRANT DIRECTS THE PEOPLE IN THE CHOICE OF PENITENTIAL ACTS
Liturgy of the Word
	Commentator :
	The reading of Scripture has always been an important part of the Liturgy.
	The Scriptures are not words about God; they are the words of God.
	BEFORE THE GOSPEL ACCLAMATION: Commentator:
	The Gospel is very sacred, and since these are the words and deeds of Christ, we surround it by many distinct acts of respect; one of these is that we stand for the Gospel Reading.
	(The Deacon or the Priest proclaims the Gospel. When the reading of the Gospel is finished, the assembly responds with the acclamation in spoken or sung mode.)
Commentator:
Having heard God’s word in the readings, we now proclaim before everyone that we believe by reciting the Creed.    Because the Creed we will be reciting at Mass has some revisions, would you now pick up your Response Card to join the recitation of our Profession of Faith.
AT THE PRESENTATION OF GIFTS
Commentator:
	The second major part of the Mass contains elements of two ancient traditions - the meal, or bread breaking, which Jesus left as His memorial; and the Hebrew tradition of sacrifice offered to God.
	Up until now, all of the actions have taken place away from the altar (either at the Priest's chair or at the pulpit).  Everything will now center on the altar where the Eucharistic Sacrifice will take place.
	Early Christians brought wine and bread to be consumed at the Liturgy, and also money and other gifts to be given to the poor. The bread and wine at Mass represent our everyday lives, our everyday selves.  These gifts, which have been brought to the altar, challenge us to give ourselves in thanksgiving for everything that God has given us.
	AT THE WASHING OF HANDS Commentator:
!	The priest washes his hands as a symbol of internal purification to prepare for the most sacred part of the Mass. In former days, it was quite often a real necessity for the Priest to wash his hands after receiving the gifts of the people - which may have included fresh fish and live chickens as well as bread and wine.
COMMENTATOR: Please pick up your Response Card now and go to the “Invitation to Pray”.
PRIEST: Pray my sisters and brothers…..,.
RESPONSE: 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.
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
Commentator:
COMMENTATOR: Please pick up your Response Card now to join in the Preface Dialogue and the Preface Acclamation (Holy, Holy, Holy) at the end of the Preface.	Now we arrive at the most sacred part of the Mass, the Eucharistic Prayer. It is essentially a prayer of praise and thanksgiving for God's works of salvation, making present both the body and blood of the Lord and his great redeeming actions in our lives.
PRIEST: The Lord be with you.
ALL: And with your spirit..
PRIEST: Lift up your hearts.
ALL: We lift them up to the Lord.
PRIEST: Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
ALL: It is right and just..
(Celebrant says the Preface.)
(Preface for that Sunday.)
ALL: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord, God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.
(After the Holy, Holy, Holy the commentator continues.)
THE PRIEST-CELEBRANT WILL DIRECT THE PEOPLE IN THE MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION. PRIEST: The mystery of faith.
(Memorial Acclamation is sung OR SAID)
Commentator:
The Sign of Peace has been part of the Mass as early as the fourth century. The priest prays for peace, and wishes us the Lord’s peace.  We respond by saying, “And with your spirit”.
PRIEST: Lord Jesus Christ, You said to Your apostles: I leave you peace, My peace I give you. Look not at our sins, but on the faith of Your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of Your Kingdom where you live forever and ever.
ALL: Amen.
PRIEST: The peace of the Lord be with you always.
ALL: And with your spirit.
PRIEST OR DEACON: Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
(After the Sign of Peace has ended, and the Priest has returned to the altar and the ministers are in place, the Commentator continues:)
Commentator:
As we prepare ourselves to receive the Eucharist, the priest now says a private and silent prayer to prepare to receive Communion.   Please pick up your Response Card now to join in the Invitation to Communion.
PRIEST: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the Living God, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, Your death brought life to the world. By Your Body and Blood free me from all my sins, and from every evil. Keep me faithful to Your teaching, and never let me be parted from You.
(Communion to the ministers)
PRIEST: Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb. Supper.
ALL: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.
AFTER THE PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION: Commentator:
The Priest again says "The Lord be with you,"  and we respond, “And with your spirit”.  We are then sent to bring Christ’s peace and grace to the world.