We are called to offer ourselves and our gifts as we prepare for an encounter with Christ through the sacrifice which is about to take place at the altar. This is the very heart of active preparation and active participation.
Then the people rejoiced because they had given willingly, for with a whole heart they had offered freely to the Lord. David the king also rejoiced greatly. 1 Chronicles 29:9.
The most memorable Mass I ever attended was in the humble of surroundings in Kitwe, Zambia. A shanty town church called St Anthony’s, built of bare breeze blocks with a tin roof. Simple wooden benches seated about 100 people. There were home-made musical instruments, a plain altar table and a lone, battered picture of Our Lady on the wall. The Liturgy was profound and moving. It was in Bemba, the local language and full of vibrant music with everyone swaying naturally to the beat. The Mass lasted two hours and the priest had three other churches to attend. But no one was in a hurry.
The Liturgy of the Word ended, music started, and the collection began. Every person processed singing and dancing to the front where two altar servers held plastic buckets for their offering. This was an impoverished community where 3,000 people shared five water taps. And yet they still gave.
In the Past
Each of you must bring a gift in proportion to the way the LORD your God has blessed you.
Deuteronomy 16:17.
Back in the early days of the church, collecting for the poor was an integral part of Eucharist. Justin Martyr wrote in the 2nd century that those who were able, gave willingly. Those less fortunate were looked after spiritually through the Eucharist and practically from the collection. Bread for Eucharist was baked at home and brought forward in procession. Eventually this practice ended and so did the need for a procession.
Many centuries later, participation of the people was restored by Vatican II. The ‘Offertory’ rite of the 1570 Missal was renamed and refocused on offering and preparation involving the whole assembly:
“At the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist the gifts, which will become Christ’s Body and Blood, are brought to the altar. First, the altar, the Lord’s table, which is the centre of the whole Liturgy of the Eucharist, is prepared by placing on it the corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice (unless the chalice is prepared at the credence table). The offerings are then brought forward. It is praiseworthy for the bread and wine to be presented by the faithful. They are then accepted at an appropriate place by the priest or the deacon and carried to the altar.” GIRM 73 (General Instruction of the Roman Missal).
The Assembly or those Gathered
Through Jesus, therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise—the fruit of lips that openly profess his name. Hebrews 13:15.
The assembly isn’t meant just to observe the Preparation of the Gifts. We are called to offer ourselves and prepare inwardly for an encounter with Christ through the sacrifice which is about to take place at the altar; this is the very heart of ‘Active Participation’. The bread and wine being brought through the assembly to the altar are a symbol of the link between God and us. We take the work of his creation, wheat and grapes, we use our talents to transform them into bread and wine and then we offer them back to the Father, in the hope that we in turn will be transformed. We also offer ourselves and everything about our lives; our gifts and talents, joys and sorrows, achievements and failures, which, when they are offered are divinely transformed and so we too are divinely transformed.
We associate the raising of bread and wine with the Consecration. Lifting them only ‘a little’ (GIRM 142) is a small but important detail that will avoid misunderstanding.
It is essential to focus on developing a deep and proper understanding that along with the bread and wine, we present ourselves to God in the hope that we will be more fully transformed by his grace through the Eucharist. GIRM 22 reminds us that the faithful too should have a ‘deep’ understanding of the ‘genuine meaning’ of the rites and texts of the Eucharist.
Practical considerations
… and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. Revelation 8:4.
The Eucharistic prayer is preceded by the preparation of the gifts.
The purpose of the rite is to prepare bread and wine for the sacrifice.
The secondary character of the rite determines the manner of the celebration.
It consists very simply of bringing the gifts to the altar, possibly accompanied by song, prayers to be said by the celebrant as he prepares the gifts, and the prayer over the gifts.
Of these elements the bringing of the gifts, the placing of the gifts on the altar, and the prayer over the gifts are primary. All else is secondary. From Music in Catholic Worship, 46.
This part of the Mass can seem busy and disjointed, and it doesn’t help that we still refer to it by its pre-conciliar title. It can feel like a commercial break, yet it is full of liturgical symbolism and action. We should be striving to emphasise what is important whilst avoiding unnecessary distractions.
Preparation of the Altar
For which is greater, the gift or the altar that makes the gift sacred? Matthew 23:19.
As the collection is being taken, the Altar table (which other than candles, has been bare until now) is prepared by the servers. This symbolic action is meant to draw our attention to the shift from Ambo to Altar and Word to Eucharist.
The servers place the Missal, corporal, pall, purificators and chalices on the altar table, signifying that the Eucharistic meal is being prepared. Watching this action is part of our personal preparation.
The Prayer of the Faithful
First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people… 1 Timothy 2:1.
We are reminded that the local Church gathered in prayer is united with the universal Church. The recommended order for intentions given in the Roman Missal is as follows:
1. For the needs of the Church.
2. For the world.
3. For those in need.
4. For the local community.
‘When the Prayer of the Faithful is completed, all sit…’ (GIRM 139). This includes the priest and deacon. In other words, we don’t just carry on with the text of the Mass, neither is it a time for announcements. We all sit, prepare ourselves, pray quietly, join in the hymn and watch the altar being prepared and the procession taking place.
The Collection
Each one must give as he has decided in his heart, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7.
Money or other gifts are brought up, for the poor and for the church. But how aware are we that we are collecting for the poor, or are we just paying the church heating bill? It would be good to include those organisations we are giving money to in the Prayer of the Faithful rather than only using general prayers of material need.
The collection needs to happen without fuss and too much disruption. Those helping with the collection should carry out their role in a discreet and prayerful manner, as they are participants in the liturgy too!
On special occasions, consider having the congregation bringing up their offering in procession. It would serve as a powerful reminder that we are giving as a community and giving to those in need.
The Procession
Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1
Those taking part are representing the wider community. They might be individuals, families or representatives from parish groups.
Liturgical processions are part of the ritual action and full of symbolism, and so, whilst moving slowly forward, the gifts brought should be held high for the assembly to see. Acolytes and a cross might accompany the processions on solemn occasions.
The bread and wine should be those to be used at that Mass. The parish might consider having a Bread Baking Ministry where the bread is again baked at home, and brought forward by those who made it.
When the procession reaches the priest, servers help him receive the gifts.
Children
All your children shall be taught by the Lord, and great shall be the peace of your children. Isaiah 54:13.
This is also when members of the Children’s Liturgy return into church. They re-join their families quietly while the collection is taking place. It is important that they are acknowledged and so may be represented in the procession. It’s very tempting to make a big show of the children’s group but this isn’t the time. Mass is a Christ-centred liturgy, not people centred; consider other occasions or ways in which more time could be devoted and would be more appropriate in encouraging and celebrating the work of the children.
Music
Praise the Lord, for the Lord is good; sing to his name, for he is beautiful. Psalm 135:3.
A hymn at the Preparation is not essential, but it is an effective way of unifying action. Singing hymns makes individual worshippers an assembly. But it’s difficult to find a Preparation hymn which doesn’t mention ‘offering’. (Gifts of Bread and Wine is really a Communion hymn). Here’s a challenge for composers. Try to select music that speaks of transformation and sanctification.
Consider having instrumental music throughout so that everyone can watch the gifts being brought forward and have time to make their own prayers. This can continue right through to the incensation of the people as the words of the priest speaks the words of the text quietly. When there is no music, the priest may say the ‘Blessed are you, Lord’ aloud for everyone to respond.
Music Suggestions
Quiet instrumental music: Taize or Margaret Rizza.
Offertory song from The Simple Gradual (Geoffrey Chapman 1969).
Take Lord and receive (Bernard Sexton).
Called to your table (Ephrem Feeley).
Hymns reflecting the unified nature of the community:
We are many parts (Marty Haugen).
One bread, one body (John B. Foley SJ).
We are the body of Christ (David Haas).
Hymns reflecting the Scriptures of the day.
Reflection for the Procession
Take a moment to clear your mind while the preparation song is being sung.
Remember that you are representing the entire parish,
as we return to God a small part
of the many blessings that He has given to us.
The unleavened Bread and Wine that you carry will be consecrated
to become the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Treat it with reverence and respect, and as you walk, hold it high for all to see.
Resources
Guide for Servers. The Liturgical Ministry Series, (Laughlin, Shaddock, Turner, Williamson).
Liturgy Training Publications, https://ltp.org/
Detailed and useful guidance.
Forming the Assembly to Celebrate the Mass. Lawrence E. Mick. LTP 2002.
A great chapter on Preparing for Sacrifice.
Chant version of the Simple Gradual available free at: https://media.musicasacra.com/pdf/simplegradual
Further videos and other resources on The Presentation of the Gifts: www.mariahall.org/the-mass
