The Mass and body language What does it all mean ?

Brief History of the Mass The Mass was instituted by Jesus at the Last Supper Before the Last Supper, Jesus performs the miracles of the multiplication of fishes and loaves....the food and drink of life that will never run out At the last supper Jesus tells us that when we celebrate the Eucharist....we eat his body and drink his blood. We are instructed " Do this in remembrance of me" Jesus tells us his body and blood will be given for us for the forgiveness of sins

Brief history of the Mass The Jews believed that in order for sins to be forgiven sacrifice had to be offered to God...they offered animals ( lambs), food , blood..Jesus presents himself as the lamb of God Jesus offers himself as a sacrifice for our sins so that they may be forgiven When we celebrate Mass we offer the sacrifice for our own sins...we offer our prayers and our lives as sacrifices to God as we ask His blessing

Brief history When sacrifices of food and drink we're offered, they were then consumed At Mass we believe the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. This is called Transubstantiation The celebration of the Eucharist is called the " source and summit" of our faith As Catholics it is our highest form of prayer....it is what makes us Catholic.....universal

Gestures and postures of Mass Most of our communication in life is nonverbal During Mass there are many gestures and psotures that are used

Gestures and postures How we begin our prayer as Catholics

Epiclesis One of the most important....it is the calling down of the Holy Spirit Happens during the Eucharistic prayer

The elevation Several during Mass Five during the Eucharistic prayer

Other elevations Lifting of the cross Lifting of the Book of Gospels All remind us of the elevation of Jesus on the cross

The fraction rite The priest breaks a small piece of the host and places it in the chalice In this we receive the body and blood of Christ....a complete sacrifice

Other gestures and postures Orans ..the offering of prayer on behalf of the people

Other gestures and postures Reverencing the cross....the priest also reverences the altar

Gestures and postures- others Folded hands Genuflection Bowing Sign of peace

Gestures and postures Blessing/greeting

Gestures and postures Catholic gestures and postures