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220 • Part II. The Sacraments: The Faith Celebrated
the Holy Spirit, make sacramentally present, under the species of
bread and wine, Christ’s Body and Blood, his sacrifice offered on
the cross for all” (CCC, no. 1353).
•
Anamnesis
(The Remembrance): We recall the death and
Resurrection of Christ and look forward to his glorious return.
•
Second Epiclesis
: The Holy Spirit is invoked upon the gathered
community, to bring unity to the worshippers who will receive
Holy Communion.
•
Intercessions
: With the whole Communion of Saints and all
God’s people on earth, we pray for the needs of all the members
of the Church, living and dead.
•
Doxology and Great Amen
: We conclude the Eucharistic Prayer
with praise of God the Father, through his Son Jesus Christ, in
the Holy Spirit. This glorification is confirmed and concluded by
the people’s acclamation “Amen.”
c.
Communion Rite
(Jesus broke the bread and gave his Body and
Blood). After the Lord’s Prayer, the Lamb of God is sung or said during
the breaking of the Body of Christ, or fraction, then we receive the Body
and Blood of Christ in Holy Communion. The Communion Rite con-
cludes with a closing prayer.
4. Concluding Rite
Following the prayer after Holy Communion, the priest blesses the
people and dismisses the assembly.
Centuries of reflection on the Eucharist have left us a spiritual her-
itage that continues to deepen and grow. Three key truths about the
Eucharist draw our attention: it is a Sacrifice, a Holy Meal, and the Real
Presence of Christ.
THE MASS IS A SACRIFICE
The Mass is a sacrifice in the sense that when it takes place, Jesus Christ,
through the bishop or priest celebrating the Mass, makes present sacra-
mentally his saving, sacrificial death on the Cross by which he redeemed