Mass Guide · Print output

The Mass Companion Card

A 3.5×5 two-sided pew card: when to stand, kneel, and sit through the Mass on one face, and the people’s responses on the other. For the convert finding his footing, the visitor, the traveler at an unfamiliar parish, and the child learning the Mass.

What this card is

A quiet hand on the shoulder in the pew. No one wants to be the person a half-second behind every posture, or moving their lips silently because they have not yet learned the responses. This card carries the flow of the Mass and the words, so you can pray instead of worry. Within a few weeks you will not need it — and then you can hand it to the next newcomer.

For the Ordinary Form, U.S. postures. Postures follow the General Instruction of the Roman Missal with the adaptations for the United States; a particular parish may differ slightly (some kneel earlier, some stand). When in doubt, follow the people around you — that, too, is the Mass.

How to use this page

Click Print this card. Set paper to index-card stock (3.5×5) if you can; otherwise print on letter and trim. Choose two-sided (flip on long edge). Two faces, one card — for the missal, the wallet, or the visitor’s hand.

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Preview — this is what prints

1765 Sanctum

Through the Mass

Stand · Kneel · Sit

StandEntrance, Greeting, Penitential Act, Gloria, Collect
SitFirst Reading, Psalm, Second Reading
StandGospel Acclamation & Gospel
SitHomily
StandCreed, Universal Prayer
SitPresentation of the Gifts
Stand“Pray, brethren”, Preface, Holy Holy Holy
KneelAfter the Sanctus → through the Great Amen
StandOur Father, Sign of Peace, Lamb of God
Kneel“Behold the Lamb…” / “Lord, I am not worthy”
StandTo process for Communion; then kneel/sit after
StandPrayer after Communion, Blessing, Dismissal

Sacrificium laudis

1765 Sanctum

What you say

The people’s responses

“The Lord be with you.”And with your spirit.

At the GospelGlory to you, O Lord. · (after) Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.

Preface dialogueWe lift them up to the Lord. · It is right and just.

SanctusHoly, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts… Hosanna in the highest.

Mystery of faithWe proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

Before CommunionLord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.

“The Body of Christ.”Amen.

Altar · Arms · Allegiance

Sources on this card Responses quoted from the Roman Missal, Third Edition (English translation in use since 2011). Postures from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (no. 43) with the adaptations for the Dioceses of the United States. This card covers the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite.