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The Order of the Mass

Liturgy of the Eucharist

 And Concluding Rites

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

The P repara t i on o f the A l t a r

 At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the Altar Servers ‘set thetable’ and go to the Rotunda door to escort parishioners bringing up theGifts.

The gifts of bread and wine have been placed on the Offertory table nearthe baptismal font before Mass by the Eucharistic Ministers. At theOffertory, 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 homesto the church to be used for the Mass and to be given to the clergy and thepoor. Today a similar offering for the parish and the poor is made with ourmonetary contributions. During the Offertory, the people also join in givingtheir monetary offerings in support of their church community.

The priest receives all the Gifts in the community’s name.

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

P repa ra t ion o f t he G i f ts

When Father has received the gifts, he preparesthem, reciting prayers patterned on the ancient

Jewish Passover meal: “Blessed art thou, O Lordour 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 consideredit symbolic of the union of Christ’s humanity anddivinity, or of Christ with his Church.

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

The R it e o f W ash ing o f Hand s

The priest then washes his hands as did theJewish leaders before the ritual meal. Altar

Servers assist Father by pouring water from thecruet over his hands.

This action also has symbolic significance. The

priest prays, “Lord wash away my iniquity,cleanse me from my sins.” The rite concludeswith a short prayer over the gifts.

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

Euchar i s t i c P ray e r 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 Godfor all the wonderful gifts of creation. The celebrant gives thanks toGod 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 andwine transforming them into Christ’s body and blood. The peopleare not simple observers but active participants in the mystery beingcelebrated.

The Church in celebrating the Eucharist is fulfilling Jesus’ commandto keep His memorial. It does this by recalling especially his passion,resurrection and ascension. The people confirm this entire prayerwith the great “Amen . ”

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

C om m un ion R i te   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 earliestChristians. The Breaking of the Bread is a symbol of unity, solidarityand 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 thealtar 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 thetime in prayer and song. The priest then draws the prayers togetherin the Prayer after Communion.

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Concluding Rites

These rites now focus upon the sendingforth of the community.

No sacrament exists as an end in itself.Christians are transformed and nourishedin the sacraments to in turn become

sacraments to the world.

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Concluding Rites

Fa ther g i ves th e f ina l b less ing

 As at the beginning all trace the sign of the

cross. The dismissal sends us forth to in turnbecome 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.

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 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