Father Bryan P. Babick

Before leaving the sacred gathering, all present say, “Thanks be to God!” In this way the Mass ends very much where it begins, with thanks. St. Paul urges the Ephesians to sing God’s praises to […]

The very last thing we hear at Mass is by no means the least important. Before the assembly leaves they are given an invitation to “Go in peace.” This is called the dismissal and in […]

After the distribution of Holy Communion and a suitable time for quiet prayer and reflection, all stand at the priest’s invitation to “Let us pray.” This prayer is called the “Prayer after Communion” and its […]

One of the most curious revisions made in the new translation of the Roman Missal is to the prayer we say in response to the priest’s declaration to, “Behold the Lamb of God.” We reply, […]

The words used by the priest while showing the assembly the Body and Blood of Christ reflect a theme already seen earlier in the celebration of the Mass. He says, “Blessed are those called to […]

Just before the assembly comes forward to receive Holy Communion, a very bold  statement is made about whom we are receiving and under what form. The priest elevates the Host and chalice and declares, “Behold […]

Now that the Easter season has begun, it is particularly appropriate to reflect on the prayers after the Our Father in the Mass. The first of these has traditionally been called the “Libera nos,” for […]

A particularly important change to the words used in the new translation of the Mass comes just before the Our Father. The priest says, “At the Savior’s command, and formed by divine teaching, we dare […]

Some of the changes in the new translation of the Mass seem like no change at all. For  instance, whereas we once used the word, shed, we now say that Jesus’ blood will be “poured […]

After the transformation of the wine into the Blood of Jesus, the priest then says, “The Mystery of Faith.” This phrase comes from St. Paul’s exhortation to the Bishop Timothy (1 Tm 3:9). The context […]