Wednesday, August 12, 2026

The Priest's 11 silent prayers at Mass - Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

If you have seated closer to the altar during the celebration of the Mass, you must have noticed that the priest says some prayers quietly (or in a low tone) at different points in time during mass. These are called the silent prayers of the priest. There are eleven of such prayers that are more like private prayers for only the priest to pray during mass and they all have profound meanings. 

1.    Before Proclaiming the Gospel 

When a deacon is not present, the priest will bow before the altar, quietly praying: Cleanse my heart and lips, almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim the Gospel. After this, the priest proceeds to the pulpit to proclaim the Gospel. 

2.    After Proclaiming the Gospel 

At the end of the Gospel, the priest kisses the book of the Gospel, saying quietly: Through the words of the Gospel, may our sins be wiped away. 

3.    Holding the Paten with the Bread

The priest holding the paten with bread, slightly raised, says is a low voice: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you; fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life. In case the offertory chant is not sung, the priest does say these words aloud and the people respond: Blessed be God for ever. 

4.    As the Priest Pours Wine and Little Water in the Chalice 

During the offertory, the priest pours wine and little water in the chalice. While doing this sacred action, the priest or the deacon silently says: By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled himself to share in our humanity. 

5.    Holding the Chalice with Wine

The priest raising the chalice with wine offers this prayer: Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you; fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink. Again, if the offertory chant is not sung, the priest can say the prayer aloud. 

6.    Before Washing his Hands 

After bread and wine are prepared, and before washing the hands, the priest, bowing profoundly, prays: With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God. 

7.    As the Priest Washes his Hands 

The priest standing side of the altar washes his hands, saying quietly: Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. (My altar servers do hear me say this particular prayer). 

8.    After the Sign of Peace 

As the priest finishes the sign of the peace, he takes the host, breaks it over the paten, and drops a small piece of it in the chalice, saying: May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it. 

9.    After the Invocation of Lamb of God 

The priest will join hands and say quietly: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, who, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, through your Death gave life to the world, free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood, from all my sins and from every evil; keep me always faithful to your commandments and never let me be parted from you. 

 OR

May the receiving of your Body and Blood, Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to judgment and condemnation, but through your loving mercy be for me protection in mind and body and a healing remedy. 

10. Priest Before Consuming the Body and Blood of Christ 

Before consuming the Body of Christ, the priest says silently: May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life. Similarly, before drinking the Blood of Christ, the priest will say: May the Blood of Christ keep me safe for eternal life. 

11. As the Priest Purifies the Sacred Vessels 

The priest carries out the purification, quietly saying: What has passed our lips as food, O Lord, may we possess in purity of heart that what has been given to us in time may be our healing for eternity.

(Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch; a Nigerian Catholic Priest ordained for the Secular Institute of the Schoenstatt Fathers)

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The Priest's 11 silent prayers at Mass - Fr. Ugochukwu Ugwoke, ISch

If you have seated closer to the altar during the celebration of the Mass, you must have noticed that the priest says some prayers quietly (...