Sunday, June 7, 2020 –
While much of yesterday’s post was extremely confusing, today is going to be a little less so…except where it isn’t. Okay, so today is going to be confusing too. The downside of how the USCCB has divided the Novus Ordo (NO) is that their outline leaves a lot of “stuff” out or rolls it into other parts (EX: the Fraction is not listed separately!?).
Remember, the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) can be divided into two distinct parts: the Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful. Within the Mass of the Faithful there was a further division into three “pieces:” the Offertory; the Consecration (AKA the Canon); and the Communion. These three “pieces” make for a nice build up, climax (highlight, important part), and concluding action. It is like a beautifully told story with a beginning, middle, and end!
The NO can be divided into two main parts: Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Unfortunately, this is where things get a little weird. Basically, some stuff got left out, a few things were added or moved, and everything got a little squished together. There is still a beginning, middle, and end, but it does not make for the prettiest of outlines.
If you want to draw parallels with the TLM, here is a basic breakdown:
| TLM part | —–> | NO part |
| The Offertory | —–> | Presentation of Gifts to Prayer over Offerings (Preface and Sanctus are moved to Eucharistic Prayer) |
| The Consecration | —–> | Eucharistic Prayer |
| The Communion | —–> | The Lord’s Prayer to Prayer after Communion |
In order to prevent a ridiculously long post, I am going to divide the NO Liturgy of the Eucharist along the same lines as the TLM. While the USCCB lumps it all together, I am going to use the same terms as the TLM so we can draw some parallels.
Today we will cover the Presentation of the Gifts and the Prayer over the Offerings.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Offertory
This is where we see that a lot of the prayers got left out when Paul VI created the new Mass. There is still a short prayer over the offerings, but it is much (MUCH) shorter. Likewise, the prayer the Priest prays during the Lavabo is shortened. Also, the Orate Fratres (Pray Brethren) is said, but the Secret is left out. Instead, we skip down to the brief dialogue that comes right before the Preface. Here is the division the USCCB uses:
Presentation of the Gifts and Preparation of the Altar – on Sunday, the gifts (the bread and wine) are brought forward by lay people (members of the congregation). We will also have a collection (money) to help pay for the needs of our Church. At Daily Mass, the gifts are on the credence table and brought over by the altar server (if present). The Priest (or Deacon) will now unveil the chalice and set up everything needed for the Consecration.
Prayer over the Offerings – this is a short prayer the Priest says over the gifts (the bread and wine). Here is where the Priest washes his hands (Lavabo).
And that is it for today! Prepare yourself for tomorrow; it is going to be a real doozy.
Saints John and Paul, pray for us!
