The Order of the Mass

Liturgy of the Eucharist And Concluding Rites

The Order of the Mass

After the being nourished by the Word, we move into the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

I ntroduction

After the readings in the Liturgy of the Word at the ambo, we move to the table. The Eucharistic liturgy centers upon the Altar - both a place of sacrifice as well as the table from which as Christians we are fed. When we eat a meal with family or friends, we set the table, say grace and share the meal. At Mass these ritual actions are called the Preparation of the Gifts, the Eucharistic Prayer, the Communion Rite.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The P reparation of the Altar

At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Altar Servers set the table and go to the Rotunda door to escort parishioners bringing up the Gifts. The gifts of bread and wine have been placed on the Offertory table near the baptismal font before Mass by the Eucharistic Ministers. At the Offertory, the Gifts are bought up by members of the community led by the Altar Servers. The early Christians each brought some bread and wine from their homes to the church to be used for the Mass and to be given to the clergy and the poor. Today a similar offering for the parish and the poor is made with our monetary contributions. During the Offertory, the people also join in giving their monetary offerings in support of their church community. The priest receives all the Gifts in the communitys name.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

P reparation of the Gifts

When Father has received the gifts, he prepares them, reciting prayers patterned on the ancient Jewish Passover meal: Blessed art thou, O Lord our God, Creator of the fruit of the earth. The priest then adds a drop of water to the wine - a tradition from the 1st Church who considered it symbolic of the union of Christs humanity and divinity, or of Christ with his Church.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

The Rite of W ashing of Hands

The priest then washes his hands as did the Jewish leaders before the ritual meal. Altar Servers assist Father by pouring water from the cruet over his hands. This action also has symbolic significance. The priest prays, Lord wash away my iniquity, cleanse me from my sins. The rite concludes with a short prayer over the gifts.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Eucharistic Prayer

This is the very heart of the Eucharist and the center of our Faith. It is based on the Jewish blessing prayer that praises and blesses God for all the wonderful gifts of creation. The celebrant gives thanks to God in imagery appropriate to the day or season and the Holy, Holy, Holy is sung or recited by the community. Father asks God to send the Holy Spirit upon the gifts of bread and wine transforming them into Christs body and blood. The people are not simple observers but active participants in the mystery being celebrated. The Church in celebrating the Eucharist is fulfilling Jesus command to keep His memorial. It does this by recalling especially his passion, resurrection and ascension. The people confirm this entire prayer with the great Am en.

Liturgy of the Eucharist

Com m union R ite

The Lords Prayer opens this rite in the words of Jesus. We share the Sign of Peace. The Sign of Peace goes back to the earliest Christians. The Breaking of the Bread is a symbol of unity, solidarity and family. During this action the people sing a litany acknowledging Jesus as the Lamb of God. Now the priest holds up the host and cup, inviting the community to come forward and receive. We then journey together toward the altar to receive Communion from Father or an Eucharistic Minister; this procession reflects the journey we all have towards God. After receiving Communion all return to their seats and spend the time in prayer and song. The priest then draws the prayers together in the Prayer after Communion.

Concluding Rites

These rites now focus upon the sending forth of the community. No sacrament exists as an end in itself. Christians are transformed and nourished in the sacraments to in turn become sacraments to the world.

Concluding Rites
Father gives the final blessing

As at the beginning all trace the sign of the cross. The dismissal sends us forth to in turn become the bread of the world. The word Mass comes from the ancient Latin dismissal, Ite, missa est. (Go, it is sent). Father and Altar Servers then process out, followed by the Congregation.

These slides were created as a training tool for Mission San Luis Rey Parish Altar Servers. Research for these slides was derived primarily from: A Walk Through the Mass by Thomas Richstatter, OFM featured on www.americancatholic.org and The Order of the Mass by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D., featured on www.catholic-resources.org Information was organized and presented by Laura Chun. Content was reviewed by Fr. Alvin Cachola, OFM