How to go to Mass (4)
Liturgy of the Eucharist
The Mystery of Faith
After the priest has genuflected in adoration before the Blood of Christ
present in the Chalice, he sings, "Let us proclaim the Mystery of Faith!" This
is not so much an instruction, as an exclamation of awe and wonder in the
Mystery that is made present: that which we perceive in faith, not by our
senses. As if in response, the assembly rings out declaring an extremely
condensed expression of the whole story of salvation, "Christ has died, Christ
is risen, Christ will come again," or one of the other possible responses, in
which we announce what is hidden in the bread and wine—past, present, and future
(What Happens at Mass).
The Memorial (Anamnesis)
The word "anamnesis" is a Greek word for "memorial", or "remembrance". Jesus said, "Do this in memory of me". And now, with the priest in the person of Christ, we fulfill His command. The Church, fulfilling the command that she received from Christ the Lord through the Apostles, keeps the memorial of Christ, recalling especially his blessed Passion, glorious Resurrection, and Ascension into heaven (GIRM 79e). We recall all that Christ has done for us, especially the Paschal Mystery. We remember also that Christ will come again in glory at the end of time.
Offering and 2nd Epiclesis
In this very memorial, the Church—and in particular the Church here and now
gathered—offers in the Holy Spirit the spotless Victim to the Father. The
Church’s intention, however, is that the faithful not only offer this spotless
Victim, but also learn to offer themselves, and so day by day to be consummated,
through Christ the Mediator, into unity with God and with each other, so that at
last God may be all in all (GIRM 79f).
We call upon the Holy Spirit once more, praying "Grant that we, who are nourished by His Body and Blood, may be filled with his Holy Spirit, and become one body, one Spirit in Christ." We pray that we may be transformed into His body. So what happens at Mass? Christ converges bodily on his Church, with the Holy Spirit coming out everywhere from Him, to make the Church his body. (What Happens at Mass).
Intercessions/Petitions
By which expression is given to the fact that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the entire Church, of heaven as well as of earth, and that the offering is made for her and for all her members, living and dead, who have been called to participate in the redemption and the salvation purchased by Christ’s Body and Blood (GIRM 79g). We are reminded again that we celebrate the Eucharist with the whole Church, both in Heaven and on earth, and we pray for the whole Church. As we offer Christ’s One Sacrifice, we pray for the salvation of the whole world.
Final Doxology and Great Amen
The glorification of God is expressed and is confirmed and concluded by the peoples’ acclamation, Amen (GIRM 79h).The Eucharistic Prayer ends reminding us of the purpose for everything: God’s glory. "Through Him, with Him, in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, forever and ever." In that moment, the Church is doing what Christ did and forever does: she offers his one body, to which she has been joined, to the Father for the glory of His name and for the salvation of the world. This is our communion in the sacrifice of Christ. This is perfect praise...the whole world is reconciled to God (What Happens at Mass).