The Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist - Part IV

It’s time to return to our look at the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Two weeks ago, we reviewed the blessing prayers that the priest says over the bread and wine.

The next step is for the priest to bow before the bread and wine. He prays quietly a special prayer that asks God to not only accept this sacrifice as pleasing, but in our collective “humble spirit and contrite heart” that we too be accepted by God. This is part of the fulfillment of the ordained priesthood; a priest is ordained to offer sacrifices.

In certain Masses, incense is used over the gifts, altar and Cross. After that, a deacon will take the thurible and first incense the priest and any other priests or deacons present in the sanctuary. He will then go out to the assembly, and, bowing to them, incense all present as well. Incense always signifies prayers offered to God. This action also signifies the sacrifice of ourselves as humble Christians, as we offer up our life to God.

You’ll then notice the altar servers will approach the priest with a lavabo (a glass bowl), a white cloth, and a cruet of water. The priest prays “Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity, and cleanse me from my sin,” as the water is poured over his fingers. This reminds us of how the high priest in the Jewish temple needed to be pure in order to offer sacrifices to God. Finally, we are invited to stand as the priest leads us all in a prayer that the sacrifice may be acceptable to God. We respond, asking that God sees this offering of bread and wine, at the hands of the priest, as the means by which God will be glorified, and for our benefit as well. For this offering will soon become the Real Presence of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

“The bread and wine … will be offered by the priest … in the Eucharistic Sacrifice, in which they will become [Christ’s] body and blood. The Church offers this pure oblation to the Creator, when she offers what comes forth from his creation with thanksgiving.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1350.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at eucharist@stmli.org.