LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST

Liturgy of the Eucharist Second Part of the mass Begins with the Preparation of the gifts and ends before the Our Father (Great Amen) It is the heart of the entire Liturgical Celebration Eucharist means “thanksgiving”, here in the second part we thank God for the whole work of reconciliation & salvation.

PREPARATION OF THE GIFTS (Offertory) In order that we may receive the grace of redemption, there must be in ourselves a DEATH to sin which was brought about on the CROSS. We begin this death to sin by offering ourselves in union with Christ. E.g. Heavenly Father thru your son Jesus Christ I offer you my intellect, my body, soul and spirit, my talents, my works, joy, pains, struggles.....

Our life should be a continues offering which glorifies God. Increase our union with HIM, draws blessings upon ourselves and the world. The Offering of Ourselves is made SYMBOLICALLY by the presentation of the Bread and Wine from the Congregation.

The Presentation of the gifts and the accompanying prayers of the priest, however is not the offering of the Mass. It is the initial stage preparing for the SACRIFICE, and the Symbolic expression of uniting ourselves with the sacrifice of Christ. The Offering (sacrifice) takes place in the Eucharistic Prayer, at the Consecration, when Christ becomes PRESENT on our altars.

EUCHARISTIC PRAYER A prayer of Thanksgiving and sanctification Is the CENTER and HIGHPOINT of the entire celebration. In an introductory dialogue, the priest invites the people to lift their hearts to God in prayers and thanks; he (priest) unites the faithful with himself in the prayer he addresses in their name to the Father thru Jesus Christ.

The meaning of the prayer is that: The WHOLE CONGREGATION JOINS CHRIST IN ACKNOWLEDGING THE WORKS OF GOD AND IN OFFERING THE SACRIFICE. - The EUCHARISTIC PRAYER includes the PREFACE, HOLY CONSECRATION, MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION, DOXOLOGY and GREAT AMEN.

PREFACE PREFACE DIALOGUE: The priest invites the faithful to raise their minds from the particular Mass on Earth to the Heavenly Liturgy of Paradise. In cresendo of three replies, they joyfully accept the invitation In truth, there is ONLY ONE LITURGY, the one in PARADISE; ONLY ONE ALTAR, the one on whom JESUS was sacrificed; ONLY ONE HIGH PRIEST, JESUS CHRIST

In the MASS we are swept to HEAVEN, with Myriads of Angels and Saints worshipping the FATHER, through the Son, and Spirit. PREFACE is a hymn of gratitude to the Father for all the blessings HE has given us, especially the incarnation of Christ. The text of the Preface changes according to the season or celebration but it always ends in this similar manner: and so with the angels and archangels and the whole company of heaven we sing the unending hymn of praise.

Each Mass is part of HEAVENLY LITURGY. Churches should remind us of Paradise : the stained windows and paintings represents the angels and saints, the verticality of the columns and high ceiling that evoke Heaven, the candles, the bell and the incense, which elevates our soul; and Christ present at the center in the Tabernacle and on the altar.

HOLY The SANCTUS or HOLY, is a hymn of praise which resembles the one sung by the Saints and Angels in Paradise. The 1 st part is taken from the angelic hymn of Isaiah, Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole Earth is full of glory (Isaiah 6:3) The 2 nd part recalls the joyful shouts of the people when Jesus entered Jerusalem: “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord” (Mark 11:9)

CONSECRATION From the Latin cum and sacrare meaning “ to make sacred “ Is the part of the mass when the Bread and Wine becomes the Body and Blood of Christ. This happens when the priest proclaims the words that Jesus uttered during the Last Supper: “ This is my body.... This is my blood (Matt: 26:26-28).

The words of the Consecration are called the FORM of the Mass, and if the priest makes any alteration or omission, the whole mass becomes invalid.

THE TRANSUBSTANTIATION Is the sacramental act by which the substance of the bread and wine is changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Christ. This happens during the Consecration which is the re-enactment of the sacrament performed by Jesus during the last Supper.

KNEELING The faithful SHOULD KNEEL at the Consecration, except when prevented by reasons of health, lack of space, and some other good reasons. Those who do not kneel at the Consecration ought to make a PROFOUND BOW when the priest genuflects after the Consecration.

MEMORIAL ACCLAMATION Proclaimed after the Consecration, we profess the whole mystery celebrated in the Eucharist, which is the re-enactment of the Passion, death and Resurrection of Christ.

DOXOLOGY and GREAT AMEN Doxology from the word “doxa” meaning “glory” is a Trinitarian hymn of Praise which concludes Eucharistic Prayer. The people confirm and approve with the Great Amen. An Hebrew word which means: “So be it”

To God be the Glory!!!