Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Heart of the Holy Mass

Liturgia de la Eucaristía-Horarios de Misa

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Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Heart of the Holy Mass

The Liturgy of the Eucharist consists of:

1. Offertory and Almsgiving
2. Eucharistic Prayer
3. Our Father
4. Rite of Peace
5. Breaking of the Bread
6. Preparation for Communion
7. Communion
8. Post-Communion Prayer

To reflect on the Liturgy of the Eucharist:

What is the Liturgy of the Eucharist?
When does the Liturgy of the Eucharist begin?
Why is the Liturgy of the Eucharist important?
How is the Liturgy of the Eucharist divided?

Of all the parts of the Mass, the Liturgy of the Eucharist is undoubtedly the most important. In it occurs the most impressive miracle of all. Jesus becomes present in the Eucharistic species with His entire being: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Although with our senses we see bread and wine, Our Lord is truly there, alive and glorious.

Jesus becomes present in the Blessed Sacrament to offer Himself again to the Father as a victim. He is immolated bloodlessly for us, for our salvation. He intercedes before God to obtain His forgiveness for us. It is exactly the same sacrifice as that of Calvary.

As St. John Chrysostom taught:

“The same Christ who once offered Himself in sacrifice is the one who now immolates Himself for us”.

St. Ignatius of Antioch stated:

“The Eucharist is the flesh of our Savior Jesus Christ, flesh that suffered for our sins”.

The Church, following the words of the Lord Himself at the Last Supper, celebrates this mystery with profound reverence and love:

“Do this in memory of me” (Lk 22:19)

Next, we will examine each of the parts that compose the Liturgy of the Eucharist, accompanied by quotes from the Roman Missal and teachings of the saints.

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The Liturgy of the Eucharist consists of:

1. Offertory and Almsgiving

Presentation of the gifts:

The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the presentation of the gifts.

When the Lord instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist, He used bread and wine. As the Holy Mass reiterates the actions of the Last Supper, it is necessary that the bread and wine are already prepared to begin the sacrifice.

While the priest prepares everything for the sacrifice, the faithful deposit their alms for the personal sustenance of the celebrant and to financially contribute to the works of the Church. St. Cyprian recommended:

Let no one participate in the Eucharist without first having offered something.

On the altar, the celebrant places the paten and the ciborium with the hosts he will consecrate. He elevates the paten, offering it to God the Father:

Blessed are You, Lord, God of all creation, for through Your goodness we have received this bread we offer You: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the Bread of Life.

Blessed be God forever.

The drop of water:

According to a Jewish ritual, in the Paschal cup wine with a little water had to be placed. Christ Himself did this at the Last Supper. Thus, this same custom passed to the early Church.

When the priest pours the drop of water into the wine, he prays quietly:

By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ who humbled Himself to share in our humanity.

The water symbolizes the two natures of Christ: human and divine. It also recalls the water that flowed from the Lord’s side on the cross. Additionally, it represents the faithful people, thirsty, who immerse themselves in Christ through faith and charity. The union between the soul and Jesus is so strong that nothing can destroy it, just as it would be impossible to separate the water from the wine.

Next, he elevates the chalice and offers it to God the Father:

Blessed are You, Lord God of all creation, for through Your goodness we have received the wine we offer You: fruit of the vine and work of human hands, it will become our spiritual drink.
Blessed be God forever.

Then, he bows profoundly, with humility and acknowledging his sins, and prays silently:

With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by You, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in Your sight this day be pleasing to You, Lord God.

Incensation of the offerings:

Then, in solemn Masses, the priest incenses the offerings to make them rise, like smoke towards the throne of the Most High. He also incenses the altar and, finally, an altar server incenses the priest and then the people of God, who should stand.

Washing of hands:

The priest washes his hands with a little water. Indeed, the most precious things should be touched with clean hands. This rite is a reminder that, to offer the sacrifice, it is necessary to be purified from all stains of ordinary life. While doing this, he prays:

Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

“Pray, brethren”:

After washing his hands, the priest invites the faithful to pray for him. He makes this plea at the moment when, having finished the preparation of the offerings, at the front and on behalf of the community, he is about to present himself personally before God. He asks those present to pray that he may be worthy to celebrate the sacrifice:

℣. Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

℟ May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of His name, for our good and the good of all His holy Church.

Prayer over the Offerings:

The offertory concludes with a prayer over the offerings, which varies according to the liturgical season. Its purpose is to deliver the gifts that have been set apart to become the Body and Blood of Christ.

This is an example from the Easter season:

Sanctify, O Lord, by Your kindness, our offering, and through it, make us an eternal offering to You. Through Jesus Christ, Our Lord. Amen

2. Eucharistic Prayer

It is the central prayer of the Holy Mass and the most important moment of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Through it, Our Lord descends, becomes present in the Eucharist, and offers Himself as a victim to the Father, renewing the sacrifice of the Cross.

The priest usually prays with his arms extended, in a prayerful posture and standing. With this posture, he recalls the image of Christ crucified , whose Passion is relived on the altar.

Preface:

The celebrant invites the faithful to a solemn thanksgiving. It helps to prepare the soul to enter into prayer, trying to set aside all worldly thoughts to focus attention solely on the Lord, lifting up the heart to Him.

℣. The Lord be with you.
℟ And with your spirit.

℣. Lift up your hearts

℟. We lift them up to the Lord

℣. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God

℟. It is right and just.

The priest takes up the expression of the assembly to make it his own:

It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give You thanks, Lord, holy Father, almighty and eternal God, through Christ our Lord.

Then, the specific reason for thanksgiving is specified, usually in direct relation to the liturgical season or feast being celebrated. They contain a precious synthesis of the mysteries of faith, which could be meditated upon carefully. For example, for the Lenten season, it is prayed:

For through bodily fasting You restrain our faults, raise up our minds, and bestow both virtue and its rewards, through Christ our Lord.

The praise of the Preface finally leads into the hymn of praise of the heavenly choirs:

Through Him, the angels and heavenly choirs
celebrate Your glory,
united in common joy.
Allow us to join our voices with theirs,
humbly singing Your praise:

Singing of the Holy:

The Pilgrim Church joins with the Triumphant Church singing with one voice:

Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord,
God of the Universe.
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.

Prayers before the Consecration:

The first prayer connects the thanksgiving of the preface with the sacrificial action, the offering of a sacred gift.

The priest, with hands extended, says:

To You, therefore, Most Merciful Father,
we make humble prayer and petition
through Jesus Christ, Your Son, our Lord,
that you accept

He traces the sign of the cross over the bread and wine together, saying:
and bless + these gifts, these offerings
these holy and umblemished sacrifice which we offer You,

With hands extended, he continues:
firstly, for Your holy Catholic Church,
Be pleased to grant her peace, to guard,
unite
and govern her throughout the whole world,
together with Your servant N., our Pope
andN., our Bishop
and all those who, holding to the truth,
hand on the Catholic and Apostolic faith.

Next, the priest intercedes for those who have entrusted themselves to his prayers and for all the faithful present:

Remember, Lord,
Your servantsN. and N.

He joins his hands and prays briefly for those for whom he intends to pray.

Then, with hands extended, he continues:
and all gathered here,
whose faith and devotion are known to You;
for them, we offer you this sacrifice of praise
or they offer it for themselves
and all who are dear to them:
for the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being
and paying their homage to you,
the eternal God, living and true.

The sacrifice for the living is offered in communion with all the saints:

In communion with those
whose memory we venerate,
especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary,
Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ;
and blessed Joseph, her spouse,
your blessed Apostles and martyrs
Peter and Paul, Andrew,
[James and John,
Thomas, James, Philip,
Bartholomew, Matthew,
Simon and Jude;
Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus,
Cornelius, Cyprian,
Lawrence, Chrysogonus,
John and Paul,
Cosmas and Damian,]
and all Your saints;
we ask that through their merits and prayers,
in all things we may be defended by your protecting help.

He joins his hands.
(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

It concludes with a universal petition: the eternal salvation of the faithful participating in the sacrifice:

With hands extended, he continues:
Therefore, Lord, we pray:
graciously accept this oblation of our service,
that of your whole family;
order our days in Your peace,
and command that we be delivered from eternal damnation
and counted among the flock of those You have chosen,
He joins his hands.
(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Epiclesis:

The priest implores the Father to bless and sanctify, through the Holy Spirit, the offering, so that it may become, for us, the Body and Blood of Christ.

At this moment, the priest places his hands over the offerings. This gesture symbolizes that the priest lays upon the victim his sins and those of the faithful. It is the great prelude to the sacrifice. The people kneel, in a sign of adoration, because the holiest moment of all has arrived:

Be pleased, O God, we pray
to bless, acknowledge,
and approve this offering in every respect;
make it spiritual and acceptable,
so that it may become for us the Body and Blood
of Your most beloved Son,
our Lord, Jesus Christ.

Consecration:

Next, the institution of the Eucharist is narrated and the priest, in the person of Christ and lending Him his voice, consecrates the bread and wine. He repeats exactly the actions and gestures of our Lord. At that moment, the most impressive miracle of all occurs: the transubstantiation.

In the following formulas, the words of the Lord must be pronounced clearly and precisely, as required by the nature of the words themselves.
On the day before he was to suffer,

The priest takes the bread and, holding it a little high on the altar, continues:

He took bread in His holy and venerable hands,
He raises his eyes,
and with eyes raised to heaven,
to You, O God, His almighty Father,
giving You thanks, He say the blessing,
broke the bread,
and gave it to His disciples, saying:
He bows slightly.
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
He shows the consecrated bread to the people, then places it on the paten and genuflects in adoration.

90. Then he continues:
In a similar way, when supper was ended,

He takes the chalice and, holding it slightly elevated above the altar, continues:
He took this precious chalice
in His holy and venerable hands,
and once more giving thanks, He say the blessing
and gave the chalice to His disciples, saying:

He bows slightly.

TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT
FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.

DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.

He shows the chalice to the people, then places it on the corporal and genuflects in adoration.

The bread and wine are truly transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ, while retaining their external appearances. Jesus becomes present in the Eucharist truly, really, and substantially with His Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity.

The priest elevates the host and the chalice for the faithful to honor them. Our attitude at this moment should be one of close unity in charity and in the sentiments that Christ had when dying on the cross, which are the same that He experiences at this moment as He immolates Himself on the altar.

Then, the celebrant says the following formula:
The mystery of faith.
And the people continue, acclaiming:
We proclaim Your Death, O Lord,
and profess Your Resurrection
until You come again.

Anamnesis:

Now, the Church performs the memorial of the passion, resurrection, and glorious return of the Lord.

Then the priest, with hands extended, says:
CC
Therefore, O Lord,
as we celebrate
the memorial of the blessed Passion
the Resurrection of the dead,
and the glorius Ascension into heaven
of Christ Your Son, our Lord,
we, your servants and your holy people
offer to your glorious majesty
from the gifts that you have given us
the pure victim
this holy victim
this spotless victim,
the holy Bread of eternal life and the Chalice of everlasting salvatiom

Oblation:

The priest, in the oblation, presents to the Eternal Father the offering of His Son to reconcile sinful humanity with Him. Here the faithful can offer their life and sufferings in union with Christ for the redemption of the world.

Be pleased to look upon these offerings
with a serene and kindly countennance,
and accept them,
as once you were pleased to accept the gifts of your servant Abel the just,
the sacrifice of Abraham, our father in faith,
and the offering of your high priest Melchizedek,
a holy sacrifice, a spotless victim.

94. Bowing, with hands joined, he continues:
In humble prayer we ask you, almighty God:
command that these gifts be borne
by the hands of your holy Angel
to your altar on high
in the sight of your divine majesty,
so that all of us, who through this participation at the altar

He stands upright and makes the sign of the cross, saying:
receive the most holy Body and Blood of your Son,

He joins his hands.
(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

Intercessions:

Then, in the intercessions, the Church expresses that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the entire Church in Heaven and on Earth, of the living and the dead:

95.Commemoration of the Dead.
With hands extended, he says:
Remember also, Lord,
your servants N. and N.,
who have gone before us with the sign of faith
and rest in the sleep of peace.
He joins his hands and prays briefly for those who have died and for whom he intends to pray.

Then, with hands extended, he continues:
Grant them, O Lord, we pray,
and all who sleep in Christ,
a place of refreshment, light and peace.

He joins his hands.
(Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)

96. He strikes his breast with his right hand, saying:
To us, also, your servants, who, though sinners,
With hands extended, he continues:
hope in your abundant mercies,
graciously grant some share
and fellowship with your holy Apostles and Martyrs:
with John the Baptist, Stephen,
Matthias, Barnabas,
[Ignatius, Alexander,
Marcellinus, Peter,
Felicity, Perpetua,
Agatha, Lucy,
Agnes, Cecilia, Anastasia,]
and all your Saints:
admit us, we beseech you,
into their company,
not weighing our merits, but granting us your pardon,
He joins his hands:
CP
Through Christ our Lord.

Final Doxology:

The Eucharistic Prayer concludes with the Final Doxology in which the Most Holy Trinity is glorified, presenting and offering Christ as the Victim.

And he continues:
Through whom you continue to make all these good things, O Lord;
you sanctify them, fill them with life, bless them,
and bestow them upon us.

98. He takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:
CP or CC
Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours,
for ever and ever.

The people acclaim:
Amen.

You may be interested in: General Instruction of the Roman Missal

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3. Our Father

The Our Father is prayed as a preparatory prayer for Communion. In it, we ask for the “our daily bread”, which in the deepest sense refers to the Eucharist.

Through Christ’s sacrifice and His merits, we have become children of God. In the Eucharist, we find the remedy against temptation, and Jesus Himself, in our hearts, will overcome the Evil One when he tries to tempt us.

Once the chalice and paten are placed on the altar, the priest, with hands joined, says:
At the Savior’s command
and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say:

He extends his hands and, together with the people, continues:
Our Father, who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy Name,
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those
who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

The last petition of the Our Father is extended. Because, possessing true peace, we will be able to keep ourselves free from sin and secure in all disturbance. Thus our souls can receive the bread of Heaven with more benefit.

Only the priest, with hands extended, continues saying:
Deliver us, Lord, from every evil,
and graciously grant peace in our day,
that, by the help of Your mercy,
we may be always free from sin
and safe from all distress,
as we await the blessed hope
and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

He joins his hands.

The people conclude the prayer by acclaiming:
For the Kingdom,
the power and the glory are Yours
now and forever.

4. Rite of Peace

The rite of the sign of peace is prepared with a prayer that the priest addresses to Christ, the Prince of Peace.

Then the priest, with hands extended, says aloud:
Lord Jesus Christ, who said to Your Apostles:
“Peace I leave you, My peace I give you,”
look not on our sins,
but on the faith of Your Church,
and graciously grant her peace and unity
in accordance with Your will.

He joins his hands.

Who live and reign for ever and ever.

The people respond: Amen.

127. The priest, turned towards the people, extending and joining his hands, adds:
The peace of the Lord be with you always.

The people respond: And with your spirit.

128. Then, if appropriate, the deacon, or the priest, adds:
Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

This rite reminds us of the proper dispositions with which we should approach Communion. We cannot receive the Lord if we are at enmity with our neighbor.

5. Breaking of the Bread

The priest breaks the host in imitation of the Lord. It represents the multiplication of Christ’s presence through the Eucharist. It recalls the death on the cross, by which His body was broken.

Then, in the commingling, he drops a particle of the consecrated bread into the chalice containing the Blood of the Lord, symbolizing the unity of the sacrifice, celebrated under both species. This unity is also perpetuated, as there is a single sacrifice of Christ that continues on altars until the end of the world.

May this mingling of the Body and Blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ
bring eternal life to us
who receive it.

Meanwhile, the faithful sing the Lamb of God:

Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world, grant us peace.

This invocation characterizes the Lord as a victim, who bore the sins of the world and to whom mercy is pleaded.

You may be interested in: Encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia (Saint John Paul II)

6. Preparation for Communion

The priest prepares privately for communion, praying this or a similar prayer:

May the receiving of Your Body and Your Blood
Lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to judgment and condemnation,
but through Your loving mercy
be for me a protection in mind and body,
and a healing remedy.

After praying, the celebrant takes the sacred Host and, showing it to the people, says:

Behold the Lamb of God,
who takes away the sin of the world.
Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.

And, together with the people, he adds:
Lord, I am not worthy
that You should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.

7. Communion

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is crowned with the rite of Communion.

First, the celebrant receives communion himself. In doing so, he prays this beautiful prayer:

May the Body of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

May the Blood of Christ keep me safe for eternal life.

Then begins the Communion of the faithful, who advance in procession towards the altar. It is normally accompanied by a song.

The Eucharist produces wonderful fruits in the soul. Through it, the most personal, intimate, and closest union imaginable with Christ is achieved. Additionally, we unite with the entire Church.

8. Post-Communion Prayer

After communion, a moment of silence follows. The celebrant purifies the paten and chalice, while the faithful, kneeling or seated, converse in their hearts with the Divine Guest.

While purifying, the celebrant says in secret:

What has passed our lips as food, O Lord,
may we possess in purity of heart,
that what has been given to us in time
may be our healing for eternity.

The Liturgy of the Eucharist concludes with the priestly prayer in which the celebrant gives thanks for the greatness of the gifts received and asks for the proper effects of the sacrament. Generally, it insists on the progress of Christ’s redemptive work in us and victory over internal and external difficulties. But, above all, it asks for eternal life.

We pray, Almighty God, that we may be counted among the members of Your divine Son whose Body and Blood we have received.

He who lives and reigns forever and ever.

Amen.

To reflect on the Liturgy of the Eucharist:

Each time we go to Mass, let us meditate on the profound gestures and words full of symbols that are part of the sacrifice. This will help us to be more focused and will increase in our souls the fervor and desire to receive Jesus.

Let us live the Liturgy of the Eucharist following this beautiful teaching of Saint John Paul II:

Let us never become accustomed to the Eucharist. May each celebration be a renewed wonder at God’s infinite love.

You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.

What is the Liturgy of the Eucharist?

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is the most important part of the Holy Mass. In it, Jesus becomes present in the Blessed Sacrament to offer Himself again to the Father as a victim. He is immolated bloodlessly for our salvation. He intercedes before God to obtain His forgiveness for us.

When does the Liturgy of the Eucharist begin?

The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the Offertory.

Why is the Liturgy of the Eucharist important?

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is very important because in it the most impressive miracle of all occurs. Jesus becomes present in the Eucharistic species with His entire being: Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Although with our senses we see bread and wine, Our Lord is truly there, alive and glorious.

How is the Liturgy of the Eucharist divided?

The Liturgy of the Eucharist is divided into 8 parts:

Offertory and Alms,
Eucharistic Prayer,
Our Father,
Rite of Peace,
Breaking of the Bread,
Preparation for Communion,
Communion,
Post-Communion Prayer.

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Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Heart of the Holy Mass