Order of the Catholic Mass

This is a translation into ASL of the Catholic Mass. To understand the glossing system used, go to the Glossing system used for songs and ritual texts. The following symbology is used to show who is speaking: P = priest, L = lector, C = congregation, A = all, and N = replace with the appropriate name. Each section is glossed independently and notes are offered so that the ASL translation can be compared with the English translation used in American Catholic churches. If you are interpreting for a Deaf person who is not familiar with the Catholic mass, you could sign YOUR-TURN when it is the congregation's turn to say something so that the Deaf consumer(s) can know that it is their turn to sign. It is, of course, their decision if they want to copy the interpreter's sign, sign it in the way they wish, or remain silent.

My choice is to spatialize Jesus on the left (since he is at the right hand of God and therefore on the left from our perspective), to put God the Father on the right, and the Holy Spirit in the middle. When God as a whole is meant, I spatialize Him in the middle. The notes on signs are cummulative, that is, if a sign is described in an earlier section, it is not described later. Try a search of the page if you don't find a description of the sign you need.

Ideally, the priest, the choir director, and other relevant church workers should share texts with you that will be use for the service. You should be able to get the hymns and the music the choir and soloists will perform a week or so before the service. Some people who are responsible for the music are strangely territorial and may give you trouble, sadly. Explain to them as musical performers that there is a need to try and make the signed hymns look rhythmic and clarify any old-fashioned English and complex concepts as much as possible. If they cannot relate to this, go over their heads. The prayers of the faithful are usually printed out for the lector and should be available the same day. Ask if a second copy can be made for you. Some homilists (people who offer the sermon) may print out notes for themselves; ask them if you could have a copy to read shortly before the service and get there early in order to do so. The readings and other special liturgical units that may be added on special Holy Days are standard on a three-year cycle: A, B, and C. Know which cycle you are in and get a copy of the missal so that you can read it beforehand. You can find the readings on-line at: USCCB - Readings and Psalms for the month. For translations into glossed ASL (written in English to show which signs to use) of the various readings, see Signing the Scriptures, Year A or Signing the Scriptures, Year C. Most of the readings have also been videotaped in ASL and can be purchased from Deaf Missions.

Introductory Rites

Greeting

P: IN NAME HEAVENLY-FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, SIGN-OF-CROSS.
C: AMEN.

(form A)

P: LORD JESUS CHRIST HIS-lf GRACE, GOD HIS-rt L-O-V-E, AND INTERACT HOLY SPIRIT GO-WITH (2h)YOU.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.

(form B)

P: GRACE AND PEACE FROM GOD OUR HEAVENLY-FATHER AND LORD JESUS CHRIST TOGETHER (2h)YOU.
C: BLESS GOD, HIMSELF-rt HEAVENLY-FATHER OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST. (or) you-SAME-AS-us YOU.

(form C)

P: LORD GO-WITH (2h)YOU.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.

P: IN NAME HEAVENLY-FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT, SIGN-OF-CROSS.
C: AMEN.

Penitential Rite (Actus Paenitentialis)

(form A)

P: MY (<) BROTHER+, (>) SISTER+, PREPARE CELEBRATE HOLY, FULL UNDERSTAND, NOT-YET. COME-ON REMEMBER OUR SIN.
A: ME CONFESS GOD ALMIGHTY, MY (<) BROTHER+, (>) SISTER+, ME SIN BLAME-me MYSELF. HOW? THINK-ABOUT, SPEAK+, alt.DO-WRONG, AVOID DO RIGHT. ME ASK VIRGIN GOD BLESS, (2h)#ALL ANGEL AND SAINT+, AND (2h)YOU, MY (<) BROTHER+, (>) SISTER+, PRAY FOR ME TO THE LORD OUR GOD.
P: PRAY GOD ALMIGHTY HAVE-MERCY-ON-us, FORGIVE OUR SIN, AND BRING-TO-Heaven US TO LIVE FOREVER.
C: AMEN.

(form B)

P: LORD, WE SIN AGAINST YOU.
C: LORD, HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
P: LORD, SHOW-us US HAVE-MERCY-ON-us AND L-O-V-E.
C: GIFT-TO-us US YOUR SALVATION.
P: PRAY GOD HAVE-MERCY-ON-us US, FORGIVE OUR SIN, AND BRING-TO-Heaven US TO LIVE FOREVER.
C: AMEN.

(form C)

P: GOD SEND YOU-lf HELP PEOPLE HEALTHY IF THEY-rt HUMBLE. LORD, HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
C: LORD, HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
P: YOU-lf COME SUMMON SINNER. CHRIST HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
C: CHRIST HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
P: HEAVENLY-FATHER SEATED-rt, YOU-lf SEATED-lf BEG: LORD HAVE-MERCY-ON-below.
C: LORD, HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
P: PRAY GOD HAVE-MERCY-ON-us US, FORGIVE OUR SIN, AND BRING-TO-Heaven US TO LIVE FOREVER.
C: AMEN.

Kyrie (Kyrie) (Omit if form C of the Penitential Rite was used)

P: LORD HAVE-MERCY-ON-us. C: LORD HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
P: CHRIST HAVE-MERCY-ON-us. C: CHRIST HAVE-MERCY-ON-us.
P: LORD HAVE-MERCY-ON-us. C: Lord have mercy.

Gloria (Gloria) (Omit during Advent and Lent)

A: GLORY GOD HIS-ctr ADVANCED, AND PEACE FOR HIS-ctr PEOPLE HERE EARTH. LORD GOD, HEAVEN ITS-ctr KING, ALMIGHTY GOD AND HEAVENLY-FATHER. WE WORSHIP YOU-ctr. WE THANK++-ctr YOU-ctr. WE PRAISE ABOUT YOUR GLORY. LORD JESUS CHRIST, ONLY SON FROM HEAVENLY-FATHER. LORD, GOD, LAMB FROM GOD, YOU-ctr TAKE-AWAY SIN FROM WORLD. HAVE-MERCY-ON-us US. YOU-ctr SIT SEATED-AT-lf, HEAVENLY-FATHER SEATED-AT-rt. ACCEPT OUR PRAYER. WHY? YOU-ctr ALONE HOLY YOU-ctr. YOU-ctr ALONE LORD, TOP ADVANCED, JESUS CHRIST, WITH HOLY SPIRIT, PLUS GLORY GOD HEAVENLY-FATHER. AMEN.

Opening Prayer (Collecta)

P: COME-ON PRAY WITH US. (A prayer is offered)
C: AMEN.

LITURGY OF THE WORD

First Reading (Lectio Prima)

To find the reading you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

L: (after the reading) WORD HIS-rt LORD.
C: (2h)THANK+ GOD.

Responsorial Psalm (Psalmus)

To find the Psalm you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

I have translated the Responsorial Psalms.

Second Reading (Lectio Secunda)

To find the reading you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

L: (after the reading) WORD HIS-rt LORD.
C: (2h)THANK+ GOD.

Alleluia (Alleluia)

A: ALLELUIA! [CLAP-HANDS~CELEBRATE + open hands into (2h)[5] while lifting.]

Gospel acclamation

I have translated some of the gospel acclamations at Responsorial Psalms.

Gospel (Evangelium)

P: THE LORD GO-WITH (2h)YOU.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.
P: WE READ EXCERPT HOLY GOSPEL FOLLOW (insert name of gospel writer)
C: GLORY YOURS-lf LORD.

To find the Gospel you need to prep or translate, go to Readings and Psalms for the Month.

P: (after the reading) GOSPEL FROM LORD.
C: WE PRAISE YOU-lf LORD JESUS CHRIST.

Homily (Homilia)

(The homily is delivered.)

Profession of Faith (Credo)

A: WE BELIEVE ONLY-ONE GOD. HEAVENLY-FATHER, HAVE ALL POWER HEAVEN, EARTH. HE-rt CONTROL (<) THINGS ME SEE, (>) THINGS ME CAN'T.

WE BELIEVE ONLY-ONE LORD JESUS CHRIST. ONLY SON FROM GOD, FOREVER TOGETHER HEAVENLY-FATHER. GOD, GOD EQUAL. alt.THEIR LIGHT lf-SAME-AS-rt. TRUE GOD, TRUE GOD. CAUSE NOT MAKE. SON lf-RELATED-TO-rt HEAVENLY-FATHER. HE-lf MAKE EVERYTHING+. FOR OUR SALVATION, HE-lf COME FROM HEAVEN. (bow head) THROUGH HOLY SPIRIT HIS-ctr POWER, MARY GIVE-BIRTH. JESUS BECOME MAN. (head up) FOR OUR S-A-K-E PONTIUS-PILATE CRUCIFY HIM-lf. SUFFER, DIE, BURIED. THIRD DAY HE-lf RISE LIKE PROPHET PROMISE. HE-lf ASCEND HEAVEN. SEATED@lf, (1h)HEAVENLY-FATHER SEATED@rt. HE-lf COME AGAIN WITH GLORY WILL. FOR-FOR? JUDGE PEOPLE (<) LIVE, (>) DEAD. HIS-lf KINGDOM END NEVER. WE BELIEVE HOLY SPIRIT GIFT-TO-us LIFE. WITH (<) SON, (>) HEAVENLY-FATHER, THREE-OF-THEM TRINITY. WE WORSHIP THEM-ctr, ACCEPT THEIR-ctr GLORY. ALL-ALONG* HOLY SPIRIT SPEAK THROUGH PROPHETS. WE BELIEVE ONLY-ONE CHURCH, HOLY, HOMOGENOUS. AUTHORITY, CHRIST HAND-DOWN. WE RECOGNIZE ONLY-ONE BAPTISM FORGIVE SIN. WE LOOK-FORWARD DEAD RESURRECT, AND LIVE NEW WORLD FUTURE. AMEN.

General Intercessions (Oratio Universalis Seu Oratio Fidelium)

LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST (Liturgia Eucharistica)

Preparation of the Altar and Gifts

P: WE BLESS YOU-ctr, LORD. YOURSELF-crtr MAKE WORLD GENERAL. YOU-ctr HELP-us US GET BREAD OFFER-UP. EARTH GROW CEREAL AND PEOPLE BAKE BREAD. THIS-host WILL BECOME FOR US BREAD OFFER LIFE.
C: BLESS GOD FOREVER.
P:WE BLESS YOU-ctr, LORD. YOURSELF-crtr MAKE WORLD GENERAL. YOU-ctr HELP-us US GET WINE OFFER-UP. EARTH GROW GRAPES AND PEOPLE BAKE WINE. THIS-host WILL BECOME FOR US SOMETHING DRINK, SPIRIT SATISIED.
C: BLESS GOD FOREVER.
P: (<) BROTHER+, (>) SISTER+, PRAY GOD, ALMIGHTY HEAVENLY-FATHER WILLING ACCEPT OUR SACRIFICE.
C: WE PRAY LORD ACCEPT SACRIFICE FROM YOUR HANDS. FOR-FOR? PRAISE GLORY HIS-ctr NAME. BENEFIT FOR US AND FOR ALL HIS CHURCH.

Prayer over the Gifts (Oratio Super Oblata)

P: (A prayer is offered)
C: AMEN.

Eucharistic Prayer II (Prex Eucharistica II)

P: THE LORD GO-WITH (2h)YOU.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.
P: LIFT-UP YOUR HEART.
C: WE GIVE-HEART-TO LORD.
P: COME-ON THANK+ LORD OUR GOD.
C: APPROPRIATE THANK+, PRAISE HIM-ctr.

Preface (Preface) (Usually with Eucharistic Prayer II)

P: HEAVENLY-FATHER, OUR DUTY SAVE US. MEAN WE ALWAYS EVERY PLACE THANK+ YOU-rt THROUGH YOUR CHERISH SON, JESUS CHRIST. HIMSELF-lf WORD MAKE WORLD GENERAL. THE SAVIOR YOU-rt SEND PAY-OFF OUR SIN DEBT. HOLY SPIRIT HIS-ctr POWER, USE FLESH VIRGIN-IMPREGNATE MARY. FOR OUR S-A-K-E CRUCIFIED, HE-lf alt.INVITE US ACCEPT SALVATION. HE-lf DESTROY DEATH AND SHOW"all" WORLD RESURRECTION. MEAN HE SATISFY YOUR WILL AND SUCCEED RECRUIT YOUR PEOPLE HOLY. THEREFORE WE JOIN ANGEL SCADS-OF-Heaven AND SAINT GROUP ANNOUNCE YOUR GLORY WHILE WE SING (SAY).

Acclamation (Acclamation)

A: HOLY++-'each time higher' LORD. GOD POWERFUL MIGHTY. HEAVEN, EARTH, FULL YOUR GLORY. HOSANNA ADVANCED. BLESS-lf HE-lf COME SHOW"all" LORD INDEX-rt. HOSANNA ADVANCED.
P:LORD, YOU-ctr TRUE-BIZ HOLY. EVERYTHING HOLY FROM YOU-ctr. ALLOW YOUR-ctr SPIRIT spirit-DESCEND THESE-bread&wine GIFT BECOME HOLY. MEAN TWO-OF-THEM BECOME (<) BODY, (>) BLOOD OUR LORD, JESUS CHRIST. BEFORE HE-lf SUFFER DEATH, UNDERSTAND HE-lf WILLING ACCEPT, HE-lf TAKE-UP BREAD, THANK+-rt YOU-rt. HE-lf BREAK BREAD, GIFT-TO"each" DISCIPLE AND SAY, (role play) GO-AHEAD #ALL-OF-YOU EAT. THAT MY BODY LIFT-UP-TO-rt FOR (2h)YOU. (end role play) FEAST FINISH, HE-lf LIFT-CUP. AGAIN HE-lf THANK+-rt PRAISE-rt YOU-rt. CUP, TAKE-TURNS DISCIPLE, SAY (role play) GO-AHEAD #ALL-OF-YOU alt.DRINK-WINE. CUP MY BLOOD. BLOOD NEW ETERNAL COVENANT. SPILL FOR YOU PLUS (2h)#ALL PEOPLE. FOR-FOR? GOD FORGIVE SIN CAN. DO (2h)THIS, REMEMBER ME. (end role play).

Memorial Acclamation (Memorial Acclamation)

P: COME-ON ANNOUNCE WHAT WE BELIEVE. FULL UNDERSTAND? NOT-YET.

A: (<) CHRIST DIE FINISH, (>) CHRIST RISE FINISH, (|) CHRIST COME AGAIN WILL.

B: YOUR-lf DEATH DESTROY OUR DEATH. YOU-lf RISE GIFT-TO-us US LIFE. LORD JESUS COME WITH GLORY.

C: EACH TIME WE EAT THIS-altar BREAD OFFER LIFE AND DRINK CUP HOLY, WE ANNOUNCE YOUR-lf DEATH, LORD, UNTIL YOU-lf COME AGAIN.

D: LORD, YOUR-lf CROSS AND RESURRECTION CAUSE US FREE. YOU-lf SAVIOR FOR WORLD.

P: LOOK-BACK REMEMBER HE-lf DIE, RESURRECT, WE OFFER-UP-TO YOU-rt HEAVENLY-FATHER, THIS-host BREAD OFFER LIFE, THIS-chalice WINE SAVE US. WE THANK+-rt LORD FEEL WE WORTHY APPROACH YOU-rt AND SERVE YOU-rt. PRAY #ALL-OF-US SHARE BODY, BLOOD CHRIST ASSEMBLE GROUP-TOGETHER COOPERATE HOLY SPIRIT. LORD, REMEMBER YOUR CHURCH WORLD GENERAL. HELP US MORE-AND-MORE LOVE, WITH (insert Pope's name) OUR POPE, (insert Bishop's name) OUR BISHOP. PLUS (2h)#ALL PRIEST, NUN, DEACON. REMEMBER OUR (<) BROTHER+, (>) SISTER+, GONE REST LOOK-FORWARD RESURRECT. GATHER-UP (2h)#ALL GONE LIGHT FROM TOGETHER US. HAVE-MERCY-ON-us #ALL-OF-US. MAKE US WORTHY SHARE ETERNAL LIFE, WITH MARY, VIRGIN MOTHER GOD HIS-lf, WITH APOSTLE GROUP, WITH (specific saints may be mentioned here) (2h)#ALL SAINT DO YOUR WILL ALL-ALONG*. WE WANT PRAISE YOU-rt COOPERATE THEM-ctr, PLUS ANNOUNCE GLORY YOURS-rt THROUGH YOUR SON, JESUS CHRIST.

Concluding Doxology (Concluding Doxology)

P: THROUGH HIM-ctr, WITH HIM-ctr, IN HIM-ctr. COOPERATE HOLY SPIRIT. GLORY, HONOR, YOURS-rt ALMIGHTY HEAVENLY-FATHER, FOREVER, FOREVER.
C: AMEN.

Communion Rite (Ritus Communiònis)

Lord's Prayer (Pater Noster)

P: COME-ON PRAY HEAVENLY-FATHER COPY-lf WORD++ OUR SAVIOR TEACH-us US.
A: OUR HEAVENLY-FATHER, YOURSELF LIVE HEAVEN. YOUR NAME HOLY. YOUR KINGDOM COME, YOUR WILL HAPPEN HERE EARTH earth-SAME-AS-Heaven. GIFT-TO-us TODAY OUR DAILY BREAD AND FORGIVE US OUR SIN, LIKE WE FORGIVE THOSE-rt SIN AGAINST US. BRING US NOT TEMPTED, BUT SAVE US, NO BAD*.

Doxology (Doxology)

P: SAVE US, LORD, EVERYTHING BAD. GIFT-TO-us PEACE DURING OUR LIFE TIME-PERIOD. HAVE-MERCY-ON-us KEEP US FREE NO SIN. PROTECT US ANY ANXIETY WHILE WE WAIT HAPPY LOOK-FORWARD OUR SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST COME.
C: WHY? KINGDOM, POWER, GLORY YOURS-ctr, FOREVER, FOREVER.

Sign of Peace (Sign of Peace)

P: LORD JESUS CHRIST, YOU-lf TELL APOSTLE GROUP, (role play) I LEAVE-IN-PLACE MY PEACE. MY PEACE I DISTRIBUTE-TO (2h)YOU. DON'T LOOK-DOWN-ON OUR SIN, BUT FAITH YOUR CHURCH. GIFT-TO-us PEACE, UNITY YOUR KINGDOM, YOU-lf LIVE FOREVER, FOREVER.
C: AMEN.
P: PEACE LORD HIS-ctr GO-WITH (2h)YOU ALWAYS.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.
P: SHOW"all" EACH-OTHER PEACE. I LEAVE-IN-PLACE MY PEACE. MY PEACE I DISTRIBUTE-TO (2h)YOU. DON'T LOOK-DOWN-ON OUR SIN, BUT FAITH YOUR CHURCH. GIFT-TO-us PEACE, UNITY YOUR KINGDOM, YOU-lf LIVE FOREVER, FOREVER.
C: AMEN.
P: PEACE LORD HIS-ctr GO-WITH (2h)YOU ALWAYS.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.
P: SHOW"all" EACH-OTHER PEACE.

Breaking of the Bread (Breaking of the Bread)

A: LAMB FROM GOD, YOU-lf TAKE-AWAY SIN FROM WORLD. HAVE-MERCY-ON-us US. LAMB FROM GOD, YOU-lf TAKE-AWAY SIN FROM WORLD. HAVE-MERCY-ON-us US. LAMB FROM GOD, YOU-lf TAKE-AWAY SIN FROM WORLD. GIFT-TO-us US YOUR PEACE.
P: THIS-host LAMB FROM GOD, TAKE-AWAY SIN FROM WORLD. WE SHOULD HAPPY GOD SUMMON US JOIN HIS-lf FEAST. A: LORD, I NOT WORTHY GET YOU, BUT SAY WORD AND I WILL HEALTHY.

Communion (Communion)

P: CHRIST HIS-lf BODY.
C: AMEN.
P: CHRIST HIS-lf BLOOD.
C: AMEN.

Prayer After Communion (Postcommunio)

P: COME-ONE PRAY. (A prayer is offered.)
C: AMEN.

Concluding Rite (Ritus Conclusionis)

P: LORD GO-WITH (2h)YOU.
C: you-SAME-AS-us YOU.

Blessing (Blessing)

(form A)

P: PRAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS (2h)YOU. HEAVENLY-FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.
C: AMEN.

(form B)

P: BOW YOUR HEAD AND PRAY GOD BLESS (2h)YOU. (A prayer is offered.)
P: PRAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS (2h)YOU. HEAVENLY-FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT.
C: AMEN.

(form C)

P: (A prayer is offered.) PRAY ALMIGHTY GOD BLESS (2h)YOU. HEAVENLY-FATHER, SON, AND HOLY SPIRIT SHOULD DESCEND-ON (2h)YOU AND STAY WITH (2h)YOU FOREVER.
C: AMEN.

Dismissal (Dismissal)

P: MASS NOW FINISH. DISASSEMBLE BRING PEACE.
C: THANK+-ctr GOD.