The Offertory

The  Offertory

     The celebrant may either read the assigned Offertory Verse from the missal at the altar or proceed directly to the prayers below.  (The Offertory Verse is a verse taken from the Holy Bible in accordance to the theme of the Mass.)

     If a chalice veil is used the celebrant or deacon removes and folds it.  The chime sounds for the beginning of the Offertory.

     Also the ushers may collect a freewill offering from the faithful, whose gratitude to God is shown through their giving.  Giving also shows the participation of the congregation in the communal worship of God as members of the Body of Christ.

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

The celebrant raises the chalice and says:

      Blessed are You, Lord God of all creation.  Through Your goodness we have this wine to offer; fruit of the vine and work of human hands.  May it become our Spiritual Drink.

The celebrant places the chalice on the corporal, covers it, then bows and says:

      Lord God, we ask You to receive us and be pleased with the sacrifice we offer You with humble and contrite hearts.

      Come Holy Spirit and bless this sacrifice, which we have prepared for the glory of Your holy name.

      Lord, wash away my iniquity; cleanse me from my sin.

Returning to the center of the altar he bows and says:

      Receive this offering, most Holy Trinity, which we make in memory of the passion, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ and in honor of the Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints.  May they, whose memory we honor on earth, intercede for us in heaven.

The celebrant extends and rejoins his hands while saying:

C.:     Pray, my brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father.

R.:     May the Lord accept this sacrifice

                    from your hands

          for the praise and glory of His name,

                    for our good, and
          for the benefit of His holy Church.

THE  PRAYER  OVER  THE  GIFTS

     The celebrant extends his hands and says or sings the prayer from the missal at the altar.  This prayer is assigned by the Church in accordance to the liturgical season or the theme of the Mass.  He joins his hands and concludes the prayer by saying or singing:

C.:     . . .  forever and ever.
R.:     Amen.

THE  GREAT  THANKSGIVING

With his hands upon the altar the celebrant says or sings:

C.:     The Lord be with you.
R.:     And also with you.

He lifts up his hands and says or sings:

C.:     Lift up your hearts.
R.:     We lift them up to the Lord.

The celebrant joins his hands, raises his eyes and then bows as he says or sings:

C.:     Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.
R.:     It is right to give Him thanks and praise.

     Extending his hands he says or sings the Preface to the Canon from the missal at the altar.  The Preface is assigned by the Church in accordance to the liturgical season or the theme of the Mass.  At the conclusion he joins his hands and says or sings with the congregation:  The Sanctus.

All:    Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,

                    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.

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