The Black Mass is said in honor of the devil at the witches' sabbath. It is practiced by many satanic groups. The ritual reverses Roman Catholic mass, desecrating the objects used in worship.
Usually a nude woman (often a virgin) is stretched out upon the altar where the high priest dressed in a long red cloak wearing the devil's mask will end the ritual by having intercourse with her. The other high ranking males also dressed in their special attire will also seduce her. The dominant purpose of the exercise being the hopeful conception of the anti-Christ. This is done in total mockery of the birth of Jesus Christ of the virgin Mary. The rest of the crowd will participate in a mass orgy. These events take place on a full moon, often in a remote graveyard or an old church yard/building (which has been laid claim on, never to be inhabited by Christians again), hill tops, forests, anywhere where it is considered soundless. Satanists also have hidden underground dens or use an old barge, where they have built soundproof walls and ceilings. They recite the Lord's Prayer in reverse.

Sometimes the participants drink blood by tearing off the heads of living doves, pigeons and canaries, with their teeth. Also larger animals like sheep, goats, bulls, deer and humans, have their throats cut with a razor-sharp sacrificial knife. The blood is poured into vessels for consumption or sometimes for the santero (salutation with drinks), or to initiate during the ceremony, along with eating of human flesh in mock communion rituals.

Once initiated into this dark world, fear of loss of life is often instilled in its members and they are sworn into secrecy. Individuals are often fearful of leaving it even if they want to, in case their death is arranged. It is a closely watched and monitored secret society.