November 2003

PITH Press

Day 29: Communion Rituals and Prayers

It is in Communion that the Eucharistic celebration reaches its consummation and fulfillment. The Roman rite developed a short liturgy surrounding the reception of the Blessed Sacrament. Even today there is a growing trend (and pastoral necessity) to develop directions to the rituals incorporating new ministries surrounding Communion.

After the Lord's Prayer, the liturgy continues with the Agnus Dei and the Breaking of the Bread. This invocation is directed to Christ and recalls His Passion and sacrificial death... yet it also is a hymn to His victory over death in the triumphant Lamb of the Apocalypse. It is at this time that the Sacred Host should be broken and divided into the ciboria (Communion bowls).

As part of this ritual, the priest breaks off a part of the principal Host and commingles it with the Precious Blood as he says: May this mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it. This phrase reinforces that it is not just bread and wine being commingled, by the very Body and Blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Thus this ritual is a reaffirmation of the faith we have in Jesus' real Presence in the Blessed Sacrament.

While the liturgy affords the people a moment of reflection and silent prayer in preparation for the reception of the Eucharist, the ritual calls for the private preparation of the priest: Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, by the will of the Father and the work of the Holy Spirit, your death brought life to the world. By your holy body and blood free me from all my sins and from every evil. Keep me faithful to your teaching, and never let me be parted from you.

The priest then elevates the Sacred Host and makes one final invitation and reaffirmation of faith by telling the people: This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper. This sixth century addition to the Mass continues to give the Communion liturgy a "heavenly" and profoundly peaceful ambiance, a silence and peace relished by a great number of Catholics overtaxed by their very hectic lives.

Silent reflection and commentary

Psalm 78:24 "God rained manna upon them for food; bread from heaven he gave them."

Our Prayer Continues