"COMO REZAR": A RESOURCE FOR PRAYING THE HOLY MASS IN PORTUGUESE during your stay in PORTUGAL and / or VISIT to FÁTIMA
by: The Rosary Hour Podcast team (with RESOURCES LINKS / ANNOTATIONS)
“He hath given us most great and precious promises; that we may be [Vulg.: ‘you may be made’] partakers of the Divine Nature.” (St. Thomas Aquinas)
QUICK INTRODUCTION: EVOLVING 2nd EDITION
1st Edition earlier updated 15 April 2024 to anticipate the Feast of Our Lady of Fátima on Wed. March 26, 2025.
by: The Rosary Hour Podcast Team (Reviewed by Izzy Nunziato and Karen Rocha)1
Como Rezar is an evolving reference site and a formation site created as a global “convite” to learn 'how-to-pray' the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in Portuguese, with notes on the Liturgy in English.
The English annotations were composed by The Rosary Hour Podcast, summarizing a number of informal conversations this past year, as well as with our formal interviews with 25 guests who helped us re-discover the essential questions of our Faith, with the Rosary as a main focus and means to re-discovering the mysteries of the Life, Passion, Death and Resurrection of Jesus Christ.
This site is not meant to be simply didactic; it is, however, an attempt to provide a humble introductory tour of the great prayer known as the Holy Mass, which we shall attempt to illuminate through the words of the Saints and the Doctors of the Church, with learning videos, sermons links, articles, resources and some art curated by Dra. Deolinda Carneiro as well as photos from various important churches / shrines around the world.
At the same time, this site explores the captivating beauty of:
the sacred spaces of the Church;
the resonance of the Sacred music articulated for the Mass;
the clanging of the bells which signify the mysterious moment of consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ;
the artistic portrayals of key figures of the Bible and of significance to the evolution of Church history and which articulate the vision of God in the Mystical Body of Christ that strives toward. Aquinas lists these outcomes of the sacraments which the Church itself reflects in its traditions:
four gifts of the Body:Impassability
Brilliance
Agility
Subtlety
and three gifts of the SoulThe Vision of God
Comprehension
Perfect Enjoyment
the striving of the Faithful who come to every Mass, to be fed by the Word of God and to receive grace from the Real Presence of Christ.
THE SACRED & THE TRADITION OF THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
The word “sacred” comes from the late Middle English. According to the Oxford English Dictionary, it is a past participle of the archaic sacre which means ‘consecrate’ and from the Old French sacrer and/or from the Latin sacrare, or from sacer, sacr- which means ‘holy’.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is therefore more than a meeting: it is a sacred gathering in a sacred space and is defined in this way by Encyclopedia Britannica:
“Mass, the central act of worship of the Roman Catholic Church, which culminates in celebration of the sacrament of the Eucharist.2
The term mass is derived from the ecclesiastical Latin formula for the dismissal of the congregation: Ite, missa est (“Go, it is the sending [dismissal]”). After the Second Vatican Council (1962–65), the form of the mass changed greatly, most conspicuously in the use of vernacular languages in place of the traditional Latin.
The mass consists of two principal rites: the liturgy of the Word and the liturgy of the Eucharist. The first includes readings from Scripture, the homily (sermon), and intercessory prayer. The second includes the offering and the presentation of bread and wine at the altar, their consecration by the priest during the eucharistic prayer (or canon of the mass), and the reception of the consecrated elements in Holy Communion.”
SOURCE: Green, Robert. "mass". Encyclopedia Britannica, 11 Jun. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/mass-Christian-religious-service. Accessed 2 August 2023.
THE HOLY MASS IS A SACRAMENT
What is the “The Holy Mass” and why is it a “Sacrament?”
To understand this, we refer to St. Thomas Aquinas who describes the nature of a sacrament in this way:
We must needs say that in some way the sacraments of the New Law cause grace.
For it is evident that through the sacraments of the New Law man is incorporated with Christ: thus the Apostle says of Baptism (Gal. 3:27):
“As many of you as have been baptized in Christ have put on Christ.”And man is made a member of Christ through grace alone.3
A SACRAMENT IS EFFICACIOUS
One who goes to the Mass participates in a Sacrament. This site seeks to assist in re-discovering that participation in the Holy Mass, and especially support those visiting Portugal with the aim of helping anyone who comes across this resource immediately become part of the Living Church which utters through prayer the essence of the Spiritual Life and the needs of every soul which Aquinas notes are sixfold:
Regeneration
Spiritual Growth
Nourishment
Spiritual Healing
Bodily and spiritual Healing
The Good of the Church4
Here is Dr. Bob Schuchts, founder of the JPIIHEALINGCENTER.ORG explaining the Role of the Sacraments in 2 minutes:
LEARNING THE HOLY MASS IN PORTUGUESE
This site will assist anyone, young or old, during either a short (or long) pilgrim visit to Portugal to pray the Holy Mass in Portuguese.
It is also an introduction to the Holy Mass for those new to the Church and/or those needing support in help those who might be wondering, why people would go to gather at a Church, while answering the following questions:
What are they doing? Why?
What do they believe? Why?
What are they saying? Why?
What does it all mean?
A PRACTICAL TOUR
It is hard to describe the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass to anyone outside the Church, in the same way it would be hard to describe the experience of sitting in the front Row of the Superbowl or an exclusive Playoffs game at a the World Cup. One can describe the experience to someone who doesn’t have a television set, for instance, but it isn’t the same. There is a visceral experience related to participating in the prayers, even beyond being a spectator, which often, we can become when we go to Church, and there is a way that we can learn to partake in the greatest and most sublime things that has ever happened in human history. How we approach the Holy Communion with due solicitude, as well as showing due respect and honour to God will be covered below.
TECHNOLOGY and YOUTUBEAfter the pandemic something wonderful happened, despite the sad reality that the Churches were closed — what the book of Daniel calls the great sacrilege:
“So when you see the desolating sacrilege spoken of by the prophet Daniel, standing in the holy place (let the reader understand), 16 then let those who are in Judea flee to the mountains; 17 let him who is on the housetop not go down to take what is in his house; 18 and let him who is in the field not turn back to take his mantle. 19 And alas for those who are with child and for those who give suck in those days! 20 Pray that your flight may not be in winter or on a sabbath. 21 For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been from the beginning of the world until now, no, and never will be. 22 And if those days had not been shortened, no human being would be saved; but for the sake of the elect those days will be shortened. 23 Then if any one says to you, ‘Lo, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There he is!’ do not believe it. 24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect. 25 Lo, I have told you beforehand. 26 So, if they say to you, ‘Lo, he is in the wilderness,’ do not go out; if they say, ‘Lo, he is in the inner rooms,’ do not believe it. 27 For as the lightning comes from the east and shines as far as the west, so will be the coming of the Son of man. 28 Wherever the body is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
PRAYING THE MASS & LOVING CONFESSION LIKE ST. JEAN VIANNEY Below is a sample of the Mass from Aug 4, 2023. Celebrant: Cardinal Collins, one of the founding Spiritual Directors to the Rosary Hour Podcast who helped us understand many questions of eschatology in light of the Catholic Faith leads the Mass below.
In the following Livestream, Cardinal Collins reads Matthew 13: 54-58. He speaks of the village of Ars in the mountains of Southern France and speaks about the connections between St. John Vianney and Our Lord. As a side note, even if you cannot understand the readings in Portuguese, or the homily, there are many options online for listening to the Word of God and the Sermons.
TIPS FOR TRAVELLERS TO PORTUGAL WITH MINIMAL PORTUGUESE:
If you are visiting Portugal in December / Januaryar etc. for only for a short time, and/or for a short pilgrimage like the Lisbon masses at World Youth Day, or to Fátima or Balasar, for instance, you may start with some small goals for learning the Holy Mass and the prayers of the Holy Rosary in Portuguese.
This outline will immediately help you participate in the Holy Mass — even if you are just reading along and listening. You can always get a guide from a bookshop, though the interior elements of the masses will differ based on the parish / pastoral choices for the Feast, and the missal in Portugal is different with Portuguese Saints, etc. that are local to the catechesis of the diocese.
NOTE: There is no need or expectation to recite anything at first and until you are confident and ready.
WHERE TO BEGIN: ON LEARNING THE TEXT OF THE MASS WHILE IN PT
1. The easier segments of the Mass are the “Cordeiro de Deus” (Lamb of God…) segment. This is a good place to start.
2. Next, you can focus on the “Pai Nosso”, the latter of which you can study with Padre Nuno Rocha, pastor of 25 years in Portugal at Lapa / S. José who preaches and ministers in Portugal (PT) and teaches the Rosary in European Continental Portuguese.
3. Finally, you can strive to learn the prayers of the Rosary with this video tutorial site via nossasenhora.substack.com.
Click here for a spoken sung version of the Avé Maria led by Pe. Nuno as our posting for the Avé Maria will be prepared for the Pope’s visit to pray the Rosary in Fátima, Portugal with sick children. START at 2:04 and listen to the Avé Maria recited and then sung three times by Padre Nuno.
PRACTICING THE TEXT OF THE MASS WITH A LIVESTREAM
If you wish to practice the text of the mass more often, we invite you to flip to the live stream via the Sanctuary at Fátima which has several masses and Rosaries Live streamed every day of the week.
MASS PRAYERS / RESPONSES IN ENGLISH - PART 1
We begin below with a quick review of the Mass Text in English. Later we will allow Bishop Barron’s lessons on the mass inform you about what is happening during the Mass.
If you are new to the Catholic Mass, and would prefer to review the entire concept of the mass from beginning to end in English first, here is a sample of the entire mass from DAILY TV MASS, led by one of the Spiritual Directors of The Rosary Hour Podcast, and Children’s Rosary Q & A, Father Peter Turrone.
At 7:57 of the sermon, Father Peter answers the question, “What is the Kingdom of Heaven”, with a focus of last Sunday’s reading. See if you can follow the segments of the mass, and feel free to use this to teach someone you are with about the mass if they have an interest in coming with you.
Fr. Peter’s sermon on the Rosary can be read here:
LEARN THE TEXT OF THE CATHOLIC (UNIVERSAL) MASS |
Greeting
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Penitential Act
Form A (The Confiteor)
Everyone:
I confess to almighty God and to you, my brothers and sisters, that I have greatly sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do, through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault; therefore I ask blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Saints, and you, my brothers and sisters, to pray for me to the Lord our God
OR Form B
Priest: You were sent to heal the contrite of heart: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy.
Priest: You came to call sinners: Christ, have mercy.
People: Christ, have mercy.
Priest: You are seated at the right hand of the Father to intercede for us: Lord, have mercy.
People: Lord, have mercy. 3
THE GLORIA
Priest:
Glory to God in the highest…
Everyone:
And on earth peace to people of good will. We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father. Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us. For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father.
Amen.
ABOUT THE READINGS: THE LITURGY OF THE WORD:
“The liturgy of the Word typically consists of three readings, the first from the Old Testament (Hebrew Bible) and the second and third from the New Testament. The first New Testament reading is from the Acts of the Apostles, the Epistles, or the Revelation to John (the Book of Revelation); the second is from the Gospels (the four narratives relating the life and death of Jesus Christ). The reading from the Old Testament and from the non-Gospel books of the New Testament are done by a lector (a lay reader), while the Gospel is proclaimed by a deacon. A responsorial psalm and a Gospel acclamation divide the three readings. The priest then delivers the homily (a short sermon), which usually focuses on one of the readings or on that day’s special occasion.
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "liturgy of the Word". Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Sep. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/liturgy-of-the-Word. Accessed 2 August 2023.
After the first and second readings
Reader: The Word of the Lord
People: Thanks be to God
People: Alleluia OR Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Intro to the The Gospel: MUSIC
Reader:
Alleluia OR Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ … (a few words)
People:
Alleluia OR Praise to you Lord Jesus Christ
Before the Gospel reading
Priest: The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest: A reading from the holy Gospel according to
Matthew OR Mark OR Luke OR John - Note: Here is a list of the books of the Bible
People: Glory to you, O Lord.
After the Gospel reading
Priest: The Gospel of the Lord.
People: Praise to you, Lord Jesus Christ.
HOMILY: BISHOP BARRON GIVES 5 TALKS AT WORLD YOUTH DAY LISBON IN PORTUGAL. Here is his sermon on how to see the world from the standpoint of God: “A Wise and Discerning Heart”.
INTENTIONS / PRAYERS OFF THE FAITHFUL / CREED:
“Then follows the public profession of faith, consisting of a recitation of either the Nicene Creed or the shorter Apostles’ Creed. The Nicene Creed is a succinct statement of Catholic doctrine.”
Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "liturgy of the Word". Encyclopedia Britannica, 19 Sep. 2019, https://www.britannica.com/topic/liturgy-of-the-Word. Accessed 2 August 2023.
SERMON: TBC
FOOTNOTES
https://smirh.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/Order-of-the-Mass.pdf
Reviewed by Karen Rocha & Izzy Nunziato
Eucharist, also called Holy Communion or Lord’s Supper, in Christianity, ritual commemoration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his disciples. The Eucharist (from the Greek eucharistia for “thanksgiving”) is the central act of Christian worship and is practiced by most Christian churches in some form.
SOURCE: Britannica, The Editors of Encyclopaedia. "Eucharist". Encyclopedia Britannica, 8 Jun. 2023, https://www.britannica.com/topic/Eucharist. Accessed 2 August 2023.
AQUINAS CONTINUES:
“Some, however, say that they are the cause of grace not by their own operation, but in so far as God causes grace in the soul when the sacraments are employed. And they give as an example a man who on presenting a leaden coin, receives, by the king’s command, a hundred pounds: not as though the leaden coin, by any operation of its own, caused him to be given that sum of money; this being the effect of the mere will of the king. Hence Bernard says in a sermon on the Lord’s Supper: “Just as a canon is invested by means of a book, an abbot by means of a crozier, a bishop by means of a ring, so by the various sacraments various kinds of grace are conferred.”
But if we examine the question properly, we shall see that according to the above mode the sacraments are mere signs. For the leaden coin is nothing but a sign of the king’s command that this man should receive money. In like manner the book is a sign of the conferring of a canonry. Hence, according to this opinion the sacraments of the New Law would be mere signs of grace; whereas we have it on the authority of many saints that the sacraments of the New Law not only signify, but also cause grace. We must therefore say otherwise, that an efficient cause is twofold, principal and instrumental. The principal cause works by the power of its form, to which form the effect is likened; just as fire by its own heat makes something hot. In this way none but God can cause grace: since grace is nothing else than a participated likeness of the Divine Nature, according to 2 Pet. 1:4:
“He hath given us most great and precious promises; that we may be [Vulg.: ‘you may be made’] partakers of the Divine Nature.”But the instrumental cause works not by the power of its form, but only by the motion whereby it is moved by the principal agent: so that the effect is not likened to the instrument but to the principal agent: for instance, the couch is not like the axe, but like the art which is in the craftsman’s mind. And it is thus that the sacraments of the New Law cause grace: for they are instituted by God to be employed for the purpose of conferring grace. Hence Augustine says (Contra Faust. xix):
“All these things,” viz. pertaining to the sacraments, “are done and pass away, but the power,”viz. of God, “which works by them, remains ever.” Now that is, properly speaking, an instrument by which someone works: wherefore it is written (Titus 3:5):“He saved us by the laver of regeneration.”
SOURCE:
https://www.thomasaquinas.edu/sites/default/files/media/file/aquinas-sacraments-ministers.pdf
SOURCE: The Aquinas Catechism, Foreword by Ralph McInerny. 2000.