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``Where the Bishop is, there let the multitude of believers be;
even as where Jesus is, there is the Catholic Church'' Ignatius of Antioch, 1st c. A.D


Meditation on the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension
at the Sacrifice of the Mass

The following is from "The Church's Year," by Fr. Leonard Geoffine, published by Sarto House. It shows how the movements and prayers of the priest at Mass mirror the Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension of Jesus Christ.


The Priest at Mass

   

Christ

1.

The priest ascends the Altar.

1.

Jesus goes to Mount Olivet.

2.

The priest starts the Mass.

2.

Jesus begins to pray.

3.

The priest prays the Confiteor.

3.

Jesus falls down and sweats blood.

4.

The priest ascends and kisses the Altar.

4.

Jesus is betrayed by Judas with a kiss.

5.

The priest goes to the Epistle side.

5.

Jesus is captured, bound, and taken to Annas.

6.

The priest chants the Introit.

6.

Jesus is falsely accused and blasphemed.

7.

The priest goes to the middle of the Altar and says the three-fold Kyrie

7.

Jesus is brought to Caiphas and denied three times by Peter.

8.

The priest says Dominus Vobiscum.

8.

Jesus looks at Peter and converts him

9.

The priest chants the Epistle.

9.

Jesus is brought to Pilate.

10.

The priest goes to the middle of the Altar and prays the Munda Cor Meum, which asks for cleansing.

10.

Jesus is taken to Herod and mocked.

11.

The priest chants the Gospel.

11.

Jesus is taken back to Pilate and mocked again.

12.

The priest uncovers the Chalice.

12.

Jesus is shamefully exposed.

13.

The priest offers the bread and wine.

13.

Jesus is cruelly scourged.

14.

The priest covers the Chalice.

14.

Jesus is crowned with thorns.

15.

The priest washes his hands.

15.

Jesus is declared innocent by Pilate who washes his hands of the affair

16.

The priest prays the Orate Frates, which asks God that the Sacrifice be acceptable.

16.

Jesus is shown by Pilate to the people with the words, "Ecce homo."

17.

The priest prays in a low voice.

17.

Jesus is mocked and spat upon.

18.

The priest chants the Preface and the Sanctus, both of which praise God and proclaims His holiness.

18.

Jesus is chosen instead of Barrabas and condemened to crucifixion.

19.

The priest prays the Memento for the living

19.

Jesus carries the Cross to Calvary.

20.

The priest continues to pray in a low voice, invoking the Saints and beseeching God to accept our Sacrifice.

20.

Jesus meets His mother and other pious women.

21.

The priest blesses the bread and wine.

21.

Jesus is nailed to the Cross.

22.

The priest elevates the sacred Host.

22.

Jesus is raised on the Cross.

23.

The priest elevates the Chalice.

23.

Jesus sheds blood from His five wounds.

24.

The priest prays the Commemoratio Pro Defunctis for the dead.

24.

Jesus sees His sorrowful mother from the Cross.

25.

The priest prays aloud the Nobis Quoque Peccatoribus, which acknowledges our sins and asks pardon.

25.

Jesus prays on the Cross for men.

26.

The priest prays aloud the Pater Noster, which asks that His will be done.

26.

Jesus utters His Seven Last Words on the Cross.

27.

The priest breaks and breaks the Host.

27.

Jesus gives up His Spirit and dies.

28.

The priest lets a small portion of the Host fall into the Chalice.

28.

Jesus descends into Hell

29.

The priest prays the Angus Dei, which acknowledges Jesus as the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world.

29.

Jesus is acknowledged on the Cross as the Son of God by many bystanders.

30.

The priest administers Holy Communion.

30.

Jesus is laid in the sepulchre.

31.

The priest cleanses the Chalice.

31.

Jesus is annointed by pious women.

32.

The priest prepares the Chalice again.

32.

Jesus arises from the dead.

33.

The priest says Dominus vobiscum.

33.

Jesus appears to His mother and to the disciples.

34.

The priest says the last prayers.

34.

Jesus teaches for forty days.

35.

The priest says the last Dominus vobiscum.

35.

Jesus takes leave of His apostles and ascends to Heaven.

36.

The priest the final blessing to the people.

36.

Jesus sends down the Holy Ghost.

37.

The priest says the Ite Missa est (which literally means, "Go, you are sent forth"), which sends us forth into the world to evangelize, and the Last Gospel, which summarizes the Gospel message.

37.

Jesus sends the Apostles into all parts of the world to preach the Gospel.


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