The Holy Mass in Second Life

LATIN RITE
NOVUS ORDO
+ GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO NOVUS ORDO +

Version specially prepared for Second Life needs.

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The text of Mass for clergy is written in "Novus Ordo for Second Life" document.

The text of Mass for attendants, to fully take part in the liturgy, is written in "Text of the Mass for attendants - Novus Ordo for Second Life" document.

To receive them please contact with St. Francis of Assisi Diocese clergy.

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Part I: General Information.

Part II: The order of the Liturgy at the virtual altar.

Part III: The devices and the decor of the church for celebration the liturgy.

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+ PART I +

GENERAL INFORMATION

The text of the Mass is prepared for Second Life needs and specifications.

This document is valid and respected in Saint Francis of Assisi Diocese churches in Second Life.

The main document, which includes The Holy Mystery (called Mass) rubrics is officially called "Novus Ordo for Second Life"

The text of Masses in Saint Francis of Assisi Diocese churches (and main Cathedral) is in ENGLISH language.

There are three parts of the Mass taken from Real Life Roman Rite Missal:

1) The Introductory Rites.

2) The Liturgy of the Word.

3) The Concluding Rites

Part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist is OMITTED.

The document additionally has three prayers taken from Eucharist part of Mass, but it does not in any way harm to serious meaning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Eucharist part of Holy Mass stays in Real Life - always and forever.

Three additionally added prayers:

1) Profession of Faith

2) Sanctus

3) Lord's Prayer

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+ PART II +

THE ORDER OF THE LITURGY AT THE VIRTUAL ALTAR

All the rubrics are taken from Real Life "Novus Ordo". The order of the liturgy is unchanged, the texts as well. Missal is modified in such a way that it does not include the whole part of the Jesus Christ body and blood transformation (The Liturgy of the Eucharist).

- The Holy Mass begins... -

SOLEMN PROCESSION

Celebrant (the clergy member who leads the Mass) enters to the Altar place in the procession with organ/chants/choir accompaniment with assistants/acolytes.

THE INTRODUCTORY RITES

which include prayers in the following order:

1) Sign of the Cross

2) Greeting

3) Penitential Act

4) Gloria

5) Collect

THE LITURGY OF THE WORD

The most important part of Mass in Second Life is called the Liturgy of the Word. The main part of the Liturgy of the Word are readings from Scripture with accompanying sings/chants/organ music (technically played by the parcel stream: singing choir/organ music or other music instruments) 

The readings pawned a faithful table of God's word and open the Treasury of the Bible.

The Lirurgy of the Word includes services in the following order:

1) First Reading

2) Responsorial Psalm

3) Second Reading (only during Sundays, 1st class feasts or special occasions)

4) Gospel Acclamation

5) GOSPEL

6) Homily

In this moment the Liturgy of the Word ends and the short part of additionally prayers begins. The rubrics are taken from Real Life Liturgy of the Eucharist, but they do NOT harm the dignity of the seriousness of Eucharist by its popularity and frequent use in daily prayer in our homes.

The prayers are performed in following order:

1) Proffession of Faith

2) General Intercessions

3) Sanctus

4) Lord's Prayer

THE CONCLUDING RITES

The Mass is finishing by the part of The Concluding Rites in the following order:

1) Blessing

2) Dismissal

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+ PART III +

THE DEVICES AND DECOR OF THE CHURCH FOR CELEBRATION THE LITURGY

1) God's people gathered for Mass have a limited and hierarchical structure, which is reflected in the different functions and different activities in different parts of the liturgy. 

2) The general plan of the church building is designed that it expresses the image of gathered people, it allows preservation of good order, and facilitates the proper exercise entrusted to each function.

3) Celebrant and his assistant ministers take place in the presbytery, which is a part of the church, which enhances their functions, where celebrant leads the prayer, preaching the word of God and speaking at the virtual altar.

It expresses a hierarchical structure and a variety of functions, contributes to the production of internal and organic unity, through which clearly shows the unity of the whole people. Nature and beauty of the place and the interior of the unit should foster devotion and show the holiness of the mysteries.

PRESBYTERY

The presbytery is separated from the interior of the church by raising on higher step or by a different form and decoration. Its dimensions are such that it is possible to freely make and perform the liturgical rites.

VIRTUAL ALTAR

The people of God are invited to set about to the table during Mass. The altar is the center for Thanksgiving, which is fulfilled by the celebration of the liturgy.

In the church is main and constant altar, which is not adjacent to the wall, where it is easy to walk around it and celebrate the liturgy with face the people. It is set in such a place, where is the center toward which spontaneously invites the attention of the whole people gathered for Mass.

VIRTUAL ALTAR EQUIPMENT

The altar is covered with at least one bright material, cloth, which in terms of form and size is adapted to the shape of the altar.

Candlesticks, which are required in various liturgical celebrations to highlight the respect of solemn character of the Mass, are placed on the altar or near it. Candles can not cover the activities carried out on the altar.

Similarly, on the altar or near, the cross is placed to be clearly visible for the gathered people.

CELEBRANT AND ASSISTANTS PLACE TO SIT DURING LITURGY

The chair of the celebrant (priest who leads the Mass) is placed in a location that enhances his function, so it is situated at the top of the presbytery, facing the people.

In the case of the diocesan Cathedral, a place where usually is located celebran's chair, located is bishop's throne with the heraldry nearby.

In the case of the Mass with the participation of a bishop, who is not a celebrant, celebrant chair is prepared in proper and visible for people place. 

Seats for the altar assistants are placed in the presbytery, in places that allow them to fully fulfill the ministry of the liturgy.

THE AMBO - THE PLACE OF PROCLAIMING THE WORD OF GOD

The dignity of the Word of God requires that in the church it was proclaimed from the place, where during the Liturgy of the Word spontaneously focused attention of the faithful.

From the ambo celebrant read the reading, lessons, psalms, the message of Easter, etc. Priest also gives a homily and may say the prayer of the faithful.

PLACE INTENDED FOR THE FAITHFUL

Place of believers is established to clearly see the actions during the liturgy celebrated on the altar, and they may attend spiritually.

In the churches of the Saint Francis of Assisi Diocese are placed suitable benches, facing the altar.

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Prepared and signed by

Eminence Cardinal Raphael Zimer

Bishop of Saint Francis of Assisi Diocese

Archbishop of Mont Saint Bruno

Prepared with help: "Wprowadzenie do Mszału Rzymskiego" Pallottium, Poznań 1986, Poland
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TRIDENT RITE

+ GENERAL INTRODUCTION TO THE TRIDENTINE MASS +

Version specially prepared for Second Life needs

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Part I: General Information

Part II: The Order of the Liturgy

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+ PART I +

GENERAL INFORMATION

The text of the Mass is prepared for Second Life needs and specifications.

This document is valid for all churches which belong to the Roman Catholic Virtual Archdiocese of Woraksan and Saint Francis of Assisi virtual Diocese.

The main document, which includes Mass rubrics is officially called "Tridentine Mass for Second Life"

The text of Masses will be in latin, with vernacular translation. In addition, the vernacular language of the gospel will be read after the reading of the gospel; the homily will be always in vernacular language. i.e. The vernacular language for our Archdiocese is Chinese and English.

There are three parts of the Mass taken from Real Life Roman Missal 1962:

1) Mass of the Catechumens

2) The Conclusion of the Mass

Mass of the Faithful, except Pater Noster, will always OMITTED.

Indeed, Eucharist is one of the holy sacraments and which always stays in Real Life.

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+ PART II +

THE ORDER OF THE LITURGY AT THE VIRTUAL ALTAR

All the rubrics are taken from Roman Missal 1962. The order of the liturgy is unchanged, the texts as well. Missal is modified in such a way that it exclude the consecration of the Body and Blood of Christ.

SOLEMN PROCESSION

Celebrant, the cleric who leads for the mass, enters to the foot of the altar in the procession with organ prelude with ministers. (Silence procession for Advent/Lent/Requiem)

PRAYER AT THE FOOT OF THE ALTAR

which include prayers in the following order:

1) Sign of the Cross

2) Psalm 42

3) Confession

4) Introit

5) Kyrie

6) Gloria (omit for Advent, Lent, Requiem)

7) Collect

INSTRUCTION

The most important part of Mass in Second Life is called the Instruction. The main part of the Instruction are the Epistle and Gospel with Gradual and Alleluia/Tract (technically played by the parcel stream)

The Instruction includes in the following order:

1) Epistle

2) Gradual

3) Alleluia (Tract for Advent, Lent & Requiem)

4) GOSPEL

5) Homily

6) Credo

In addition, the following prayers are performed after Credo (or Homily) in the following order:

1) Pater Noster

2) Second Confiteor (only occur in Solemn High Mass / Pontifical High Mass)

THE CONCLUSION OF THE MASS

The Mass is finishing by the part of The Concluding Rites in the following order:

1) Dismissal

2) Blessing

3) Last Gospel

SOLEMN RECESSION

For Solemn Mass or Pontifical High Mass, Celebrant and ministers genuflect in front of the Altar and process out of the church with organ postlude. (Silence procession for Advent/Lent/Requiem)

PRAYERS AFTER LOW MASS

These prayers (all but the last appeal to the Sacred Heart) are called the "Leonine prayers" as they were added by Pope Leo XIII (A.D. 1810-1903). The appeal to the Sacred Heart was added by Pope Pius X. These prayers are for after Low Mass only.

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Signed

+Stephen

Cardinal, Metropolitan Archbishop of Woraksan

2nd Janaury

The Year of Our Lord MMXIV

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Reference:

Fortescue, O'Connell & Reid (2009),  The Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described, Burns and Oates/Continuum

Order of the Mass, Fish Eaters, Retrieved from: http://www.fisheaters.com/TLMinstructions.html