Sunday, May 31, 2020 –
Is it really the end of May!? My goodness!
Anyhow, today we continue with our slow roll of the Traditional Latin Mass. Specifically, we are taking the second part of the Mass of the Faithful: the Consecration, also known as the “Canon.”
Canon is derived from the Greek word meaning “rule.” These are the fixed (unchanging) prayers of the Mass, hence “rules.” They are some of the most ancient parts of the Mass!
The Mass of the Faithful
The Consecration (the Canon):
Prayers before the Consecration – the beginning of the Canon has a series of three prayers. They are designated (named) by the first couple of words of each prayer.
- The Te Igitur: the Priest prays for the Church.
- The Memento, Domini: the Priest prays for the living. In this prayer the Priest can name particular individuals. He also prays for all those present.
- The Communicantes: The Priest invokes the Saints, asking for their prayers.
Prayers at the Consecration – these are the last two prayers before the Consecration. They are also designated (named) by the first few words of each prayer.
- The Hanc Igitur: the Priest then prays for peace on earth, deliverance from eternal punishment, and admission to eternal happiness (heaven).
- Quam Oblationem Tu: in his final prayer, the Priest humbly and urgently prays that God will be pleased with our offering and bless it so it can become the Body and Blood of His dearly beloved Son.
The Consecration and Elevation of the Host – the Consecration of the Host and the Chalice (wine) is the un-bloody Sacrifice that re-presents His bloody Sacrifice on the Cross. The Host is transubstantiated (changed) from mere bread to the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ! Bells are rung to signify we should pay attention because Christ is truly present before us! From this point until the ablution (washing) after Communion, the Priest will keep his fingers joined so that no particle of the Blessed Sacrament, however small, may be lost! The Priest will elevate (raise up) the Host for us to adore. This is the first part of what is called the “major elevation,” the Chalice being the second part.
The Consecration and Elevation of the Chalice – The wine in the Chalice is transubstantiated (changed) from mere wine to the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ! Remember: any crumb of the Host or any drop of the Precious Blood are wholly and substantially the Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Christ. They are not separate “things,” and you do NOT need both to fully receive Christ. This is the second part of what is called the “major elevation.” At this point, properly speaking, the Sacrifice of the Mass is completed. Mass, however, is still going…so don’t leave!
Prayers of the Oblation of the Victim to God – Just as the prayers before the Consecration were in groupings of 3 and 2, so too are the prayers after the Consecration. In the first set, the Priest is offering (oblation) the Victim (the Holy Sacrifice, Christ’s un-bloody Sacrifice) to God the Father. The prayers are designated (named) by the first couple of words of each prayer.
- The Unde et Memores: the Priest prays and recalls that what was just done in the Consecration was done in remembrance of Christ’s death and that it is the same Sacrifice of Calvary, re-presented in an un-bloody manner.
- The Supra quae Propitio: the Priest recalls the sacrifices of the Old Testament, the sacrifices that prefigured (foreshadowed) Christ’s Sacrifice, and how God found them favorable. In the name of the Church, he asks God the Father to find this Holy Sacrifice of the Mass even more favorable.
- The Supplices te Rogamus: the Priest recalls the heavenly altar and asks that the angels bear (bring) this Sacrifice to God the Father. He asks that those present receiving Christ’s Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity be filled with heavenly grace and blessings.
Prayers after the Consecration – The final two prayers recall those who have died before us. They are designated (named) by the first couple of words of each prayer.
- The Memento: the Priest commemorates (remembers) the dead. While the Priest prays, we quietly remember and pray for the deceased members of our own family.
- The Nobis quoque Peccatoribus: the Priest invokes the Saints again. We contemplate (think about) the Church Triumphant, the Saints who have gone before us.
Final Doxology and Minor Elevation – The Priest prays and reminds us that it is God who creates, sanctifies (makes holy), quickens (gives life to), and blesses. At this point the Priest elevates the Host and Chalice for us to adore. It is distinguished (differs) from the Major Elevations during the Consecration.
And that, folks, brings us to the end of part 2 of the Mass of the Faithful. Just one more section left!
Saint Cletus, pray for us!
