The Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist - Part XVII

We have reached the last part of our examination of the Liturgy of the Eucharist! Last week, we reviewed what happens right before the distribution of Communion. In this installment, we conclude this major portion of the Mass.

Once Communion has been received by the assembly, the ministers of Communion gather at the altar. The deacon collects all the remaining consecrated hosts and places them into a small number of ciboria. This action reminds us of John 6:12. This is one of the Gospel passages describing the miracle of the multiplication of the fishes and loaves. In that passage, after all had eaten, Jesus said, “Gather the fragments left over, so that nothing will be wasted.” So this is what we do at Mass as well. The assembly is still kneeling at this point, because Jesus remains outside of the tabernacle. The deacon then places those ciboria into the tabernacle, the doors are closed, and the ministers make a sign of reverence (usually bowing or kneeling). The faithful may now sit back in their seats.

The work of the clergy is not yet completed, because the vessels need to be purified. You may have noticed the deacon, in emptying the ciboria at the altar, used a purificator to wipe any fragments of host into one of the chalices. Now water will be poured into the chalices, to mix with those fragments and any Precious Blood that remains. The priest and deacon consume the water, and the chalice is wiped clean with a purificator.

Purification of the vessels takes place because of our belief in the Real Presence. Even the smallest fragment of consecrated host or drop of Precious Blood is still Jesus. We cannot leave Jesus outside of the tabernacle unconsumed.

“The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the moment of the consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species subsist. Christ is present whole and entire in each of the species and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ”  - Catechism of the Catholic Church, no. 1377

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at eucharist@stmli.org.