Last week (HERE) I explained the meaning of the Offertory Rite which, following the Liturgy of the Word, begins the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Let us look, then, at this Offertory Rite in detail.
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| St. Jusin Martyr |
Originally, there was probably little ceremony with the Preparation of the Gifts. Justin Martyr gives a description of the Eucharist in the Second century and he says quite simply: "Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren. [The Presider] takes them and offers prayers glorifying the Father of the universe through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit..."
In Justin’s time, the Cup of wine mixed with some water was done previous to Mass. The bread and wine needed to come to the altar so they are brought there by "someone." No procession is mentioned. But soon a Procession would be developed with more ceremony, especially in the Eastern Orthodox Church, with song and the faithful bringing the bread and wine to the Altar.
Justin Martyr also mentions a Collection. The Collection is quite ancient. Justin writes that in his day it was done at the end of Mass and not brought to the altar:
"And they who have means, and are willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the presider [the Priest], who succors the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need"
Again, over time the Collection took up many items, mostly food, and then eventually money which were brought to the Altar at the time of the Preparation of Gifts (Offertory).
(1) Procession and Acceptance of the gifts. In the present celebration of the Vatican II Mass the Priest accompanied by the Deacon and servers accepts the Gifts of bread and wine and the Collection of money for the work of Christ and his Church. They are usually (especially on Sunday) brought to the Altar by some of the laity in a Procession accompanied by song. The bread and wine are next placed on the Altar. If a Deacon is present, he puts water and wine into the Chalice or chalices with a prayer recited quietly; otherwise, the Priest does this. Thus this Rite is also called the Preparation of the Gifts.
(2) Blessing of God for the gifts. If the Offertory Song, begun at the time of the Collection, continues, the Priest prays the Offertory prayers quietly. Otherwise, he raises the paten (plate) with the bread slightly above the Altar and says out loud:
"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation,
for through your goodness we have received
the bread we offer you:
fruit of the earth and work of human hands,
it will become for us the bread of life."
The People say "Blessed be God forever."
The Priest does the same with the main Chalice, raising it slightly:
"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."
The People say again "Blessed be God forever."
(3) Optional Incensing. The Priest might incense the gifts on the Altar after praying the above texts quietly, and has the option to also incense the Altar and the Crucifix. Usually the Deacon or a Server incenses the Priest and other Clergy in the Sanctuary and then the People. The People themselves also are an offering to God.
(4) Washing of the Priest’s hands. The Priest next washes his hands. It is a ceremony by which the Priest prays for forgiveness of his sins in order to be worthy of proceeding with the Eucharistic Sacrifice that follows the Offertory. He prays quietly "Lord wash away my iniquity and cleanse me of my sins."
(5) Inviation to prayer. Finally, the Priest invites the Faithful to prayer that the Sacrifice about to be performed will be acceptable to God. I will say more about the acceptance of the sacrifice by God when covering the Eucharistic Prayer. The Priest mentions in this Invitation to prayer both his sacrifice and the sacrifice of the Laity. It is not two sacrifices, but rather two kinds of persons making the One Sacrifice: the Ordained and the Laity.
"Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father."
The People rise and reply:
"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."
(6) Offertory Prayer. Then the Priest prays the Offertory Prayer which ends the Preparation of the Gifts. It should be noted that even though this Preparation of Gifts is also called the Offertory, it is referring to our offering of gifts. It will only be when the Consecration occurs in the next part of the Mass that we will offer the One Sacrifice of Christ, his Offering.
Next Week: The Eucharistic Prayer
