THE OFFERTORY PROCESSION

THE OFFERTORY PROCESSION

By Rev. Fr. Casmir Odundo

In many Catholic Churches in our country, I have observed that during preparation of the offerings, the Procession of the faithful, with the gifts of bread, wine, water as well as the monetary offerings (especially on Sunday Masses) is gradually being omitted. In other places, where it is practiced, its significance is sometimes overlooked.

It is fitting to note that, strictly speaking there are 4 major processions in Mass:

1.      During the Entrance, where the priest(s) going with the deacon(s) and ministers process to the altar

2.      During the Gospel Acclamation or Alleluia where the deacon carrying the Book of the Gospels processes to the ambo before the proclamation of the Gospel;

3.      Procession of the faithful presenting the gifts

4.       Procession Faithful coming forward to receive Communion.

The General Instructions of the Roman Missal instructs that these four processions, “be carried out with decorum while the chants proper to them occur, in keeping with the norms prescribed for each.” (GIRM n. 44)

The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins just immediately after the General Intercessions. This part commences by first the preparation of the altar i.e. the Lord’s Table, by placing on it the corporal, purificator, Missal, and chalice. It is significant that the vessels and gifts be prepared at this time rather than having them placed there from the beginning.

The second part of this rite is the procession of the offerings. The General Instructions of the Roman Missal Instructs us that, “It is praiseworthy for the bread and wine to be presented by the faithful.” (GIRM n.73) They are then accepted at an appropriate place by the priest or the deacon and carried to the altar.

This praiseworthy practice of the faithful bringing the bread and wine to the altar can be traced from the liturgy of the Christians in the Early Church. Back then, when the Eucharist used to be celebrated in Domus Ecclesia, i.e. in the Homes of the Christian Faithful. It was the faithful themselves who used to provide for the bread and wine to be offered in Mass by the faithful. “From the very beginning Christians have brought, along with the bread and wine for the Eucharist, gifts to share with those in need.” (Catechism of the Catholic Church, No. 1351). However, in the Middle Ages when receiving the Eucharist among the laity declined, the procession of the gifts by members of the congregation stopped. The clergy was responsible for making the bread and wine available during Mass. The procession was not reinstated into the Mass until after the Vatican II Council.

According to Pope Benedict XVI “The presentation of the gifts should not to be viewed simply as a kind of ‘interval’ between the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. To do so would tend to weaken, at the least, the sense of a single rite made up of two interrelated parts. This humble and simple gesture is actually very significant: in the bread and wine that we bring to the altar, all creation is taken up by Christ the Redeemer to be transformed and presented to the Father. In this way we also bring to the altar all the pain and suffering of the world, in the certainty that everything has value in God’s eyes. The authentic meaning of this gesture can be clearly expressed without the need for undue emphasis or complexity. It enables us to appreciate how God invites man to participate in bringing to fulfilment his handiwork, and in so doing, gives human labor its authentic meaning, since, through the celebration of the Eucharist, it is united to the redemptive sacrifice of Christ.” (Benedict XVI, Sacramentium Caritatis,   No. 47)

Today, “even though the faithful no longer bring from their own possessions the bread and wine intended for the liturgy as in the past, nevertheless the rite of carrying up the offerings still retains its force and its spiritual significance.”(GIRM n. 73)

Accompanying the bread and wine is also the monetary offerings and/or other gifts for the poor or for the Church, (Matega) brought by the faithful or collected in the church, which should be received. These are to be put in a suitable place but away from the Eucharistic table.

“The procession bringing the gifts is accompanied by the Offertory chant, which continues at least until the gifts have been placed on the altar. The norms on the manner of singing are the same as for the Entrance chant. Singing may always accompany the rite at the offertory, even when there is no procession with the gifts.” (G.I.R.M n. 74)

It is important to note, as Bishop Maurice Muhatia observes in the Guidelines for Sunday Eucharistic Celebration 2011 for the Diocese of Nakuru that this procession should always include the altar bread and altar wine to be used in the Eucharistic Celebration. Seondly, the Chalice is not included in the offertory procession. Thirdly, the prayer “Blessed are you Lord God of all creation,” should not be said before receiving offertory.” Lastly, Symbolic gifts that cannot be offered completely are discouraged. (Diocese of Nakuru: Guidelines for Sunday Eucharistic Celebration, n.49)

In Many places, when the offertory is being brought to the altar, many faithful also stand. This is NOT right. The General Instructions of the Roman Missal is clear on when the faithful are to stand, kneel, etc. “The faithful should stand from the beginning of the Entrance chant, or while the priest approaches the altar, until the end of the collect; for the Alleluia chant before the Gospel; while the Gospel itself is proclaimed; during the Profession of Faith and the Prayer of the Faithful; from the invitation, Orate, fratres (Pray, brethren), before the prayer over the offerings until the end of Mass… They should, however, sit while the readings before the Gospel and the responsorial Psalm are proclaimed and for the homily and while the Preparation of the Gifts at the Offertory is taking place; and, as circumstances allow, they may sit or kneel while the period of sacred silence after Communion is observed.” (GIRM n. 43)

The altar Bread and altar wine to be offered are also to be brought in appropriate sacred vessels. Altar Bread for use in the mass is always carried in Ciborium (Ciboria) and the wine which is always accompanied by the water is always carried in cruets. It is NOT fitting to carry the bread to be offered in mass in polythene bags and the alter wine in wine bottles. Polythene bags are actually an environmental hazard.  (Cf. GIRM 327-329; Diocese of Nakuru Guidelines for Sunday Eucharistic Celebration, 2011)

(The author is Parochial Vicar, St. Veronica Parish, Keringet, Nakuru Diocese. Email: casmirthomas28@gmail.com )