The Breaking of Bread Immediately after the sign of peace is exchanged, the priest and other ministers begin to break the Eucharistic bread. This is one of the key actions of Jesus, who took the bread, said the blessing, broke it, and gave it to His disciples. As practiced before and now, the priest takes the host and breaks it over the paten. He places a small piece into the chalice while saying, May the mingling of the body and blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it.

The breaking of the loaf of bread is a familiar ceremony in countries where bread is the staple food. The father, presiding over the table, would perform the ceremony, the origin of which harks back to the very beginning of mankind. At the Last Supper, our Lord also broke the bread (the Jews always broke, and never cut, their bread). It was in the act of breaking bread that the risen Lord was recognized by the disciples at Emmaus. As if it were a Mass celebrated by the Lord, the breaking of the bread was preceded by the liturgy of the word: While they were walking, “Jesus explained to them the passages throughout the Scriptures that were about himself.” Then, “while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and THE MASS handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognized him” (Lk 24:27, 30-31). The two disciples returned to Jerusalem, announcing that they had recognized the I. INTRODUCTORY RITES Lord “at the breaking of the bread.” Entrance Jesus Himself stands in our midst. This is the moment of decision for each of us. Will our eyes open to His Presence? Are we blind to what we are about to partake in? Has our Veneration of the Altar ability to receive Him so freely dulled our senses? Greeting Penitential Rite BY THIS MINGLING... “Lord, Have Mercy” The priest will do something that may be imperceptible to our eyes if we are not “Glory to God in the Highest” specifically looking for it. He will break off a small piece of the Eucharistic bread and drop Opening Prayer it into the chalice that contains the Precious Blood of Jesus while he says a prayer silently. II. THE LITURGY OF THE WORD This is called the co-mingling of the bread and wine. It is a small act, but rich in symbolism. Scripture Readings First, it symbolizes the Resurrection of our Lord. At the consecration our Lord came Homily to the bread and wine separately--this is my Body, this is my Blood; symbolic of His death Profession of Faith on the cross. Now the two are joined. Prayers of the Faithful Second, it symbolizes the unity of the Church. In the early Church a piece of the Eucharist from the Pope’s Mass was broken off and taken to other churches and mingled III. THE LITURGY OF THE with their Eucharistic species to signify that they were all one Body of Christ. This piece EUCHARIST was called the fermentum, a Latin word that means leaven. Preparation of the Gifts The prayer said by the priest as he performs this action asks that this action might Eucharistic Prayer “bring eternal life” to all who receive this Eucharist. 1. Preface 2. Sanctus AGNUS DEI 3. Epiclesis During the breaking of the bread and the co-mingling, the Agnus Dei is sung or said 4. Consecration by all: 5. The Mystery of Faith Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world; have mercy on us. 6. Anamnesis 7. Offering The final phrase is always: “Grant us peace.” At first, the breaking of the bread was done in silence. It was a Syrian pope, St. 8. Intercessions Sergius (687-701), who established the singing of this invocation. 9. Final Doxology & Amen The figure of the “Lamb of God” is full of meaning and is helpful to enkindle our Communion Rite devotion before Communion. The Lamb foretold by Isaiah and announced by St. John the 1. Lord’s Prayer Baptist whould wipe out our sins through his obedience to God’s will: 2. Rite of Peace Innocent, he never opened his mouth, 3. BREAKING OF BREAD< like a lamb that is led to the slaughter house, 4. Communion like a sheep that is dumb before its shearers (Is 53:7). 5. Prayer After Communion IV. CONCLUDING RITES Let us make up with a great longing to atone for our sins and be cleansed for our lack of Announcements innocence. Blessing Finally, the Agnus Dei is also a nuptial hymn to celebrate the wedding of the Lamb with his bride, the Church, in peace and unity, as is described in the Book of Revelation. Certainly, Dismissal each Mass is only a prelude and a token of the future adoration of the Lamb in eternity. Veneration of the Altar Personal Thanksgiving #35 in a series of 40 inserts researched and compiled for the parishioners of St. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. (c)2005.