When a priest celebrates the Eucharist, it is commonly referred to as "saying Mass. This term comes from the Latin phrase "Missa est," meaning "it is sent," and refers to the final dismissal of the congregation at the end of the liturgy. The Mass is the central act of worship in the Catholic Church and involves the consecration of bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ, which is then distributed to the faithful as a sacrament. The priest who celebrates Mass acts "in persona Christi," or "in the person of Christ," and is responsible for leading the congregation in prayer, reading Scripture, preaching a sermon or homily, and administering the sacraments.
What does the priest say when he holds up the chalice?
When the priest holds up the chalice during the celebration of the Eucharist, he says a prayer known as the Doxology. It is a short hymn of praise and thanksgiving to God, and it goes like this:
"Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for by your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and the work of human hands. May it become our spiritual drink.
This prayer acknowledges that everything we have, including the bread and wine used in the Eucharist, comes from God and expresses gratitude for His generosity and provision. The Doxology is an important part of the Eucharistic Prayer, the central prayer of the Mass, and it helps focus our attention on the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist and the mystery of Christ's saving love.
Why does the priest raise his hands?
During the celebration of the Eucharist, the priest raises his hands at certain times as a gesture of prayer and reverence. There are several times during the Mass when the priest may raise his hands, and each has a specific meaning.
For example, the priest raises his hands during the Act of Penance at the beginning of Mass as a sign of repentance and a plea for God's mercy. He may also raise his hands during the Prayer of the Faithful as a sign of intercession and petition.
The most important time for the priest to raise his hands is during the Eucharistic Prayer, especially during the consecration of the bread and wine. At this point, the priest speaks the words of consecration and the bread and wine become the body and blood of Christ. The raising of the hands is a sign of offering and consecration and emphasizes the sacrificial nature of the Eucharist.
