The Catholic Church firmly believes that after the words of consecration said by a priest at Mass, by the power of the Holy Spirit, bread and wine are transformed into the body, blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ. It is a great mystery, one that has been handed down to us from Jesus Christ at the Last Supper.
In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, it is customary during the Eucharistic prayer to elevate the consecrated Host as well as the chalice holding the precious Blood, lifting them up for the people to see.
While this action of the priest is often brief, the faithful are encouraged to make a silent act of love to God. Many spiritual writers suggest using the words of St. Thomas the Apostle when he encountered the risen Christ, as the priest elevates the Host.
“My Lord and my God!”
John 20:28
It is traditional to pray silently, when the Chalice is elevated,
“My Jesus, mercy!”
It is a way to express your own belief that God is truly there, overcoming any doubts you may have, similar to what St. Thomas experienced.
Other spiritual books will offer more lengthy prayers, like the following two prayers from the St. Vincent Manual published in 1856.
Hail, Victim of salvation! Eternal King! Incarnate Word, sacrificed for me and all mankind! Hail, precious Body of the Son of God! Hail, sacred flesh, torn with nails, pierced with a lance, and bleeding on a cross, for us poor sinners! O amazing goodness O infinite love! Oh! let that tender love plead now in my behalf! Let all my iniquities be here effaced, and my name be written in the book of life! I believe in thee; I hope in thee; I love thee. To thee be honor, praise and glory from all creatures for ever.
Hail, sacred blood, flowing from the wounds of Jesus Christ, and washing away the sins of the world! Oh! Cleanse, sanctify and preserve my soul, that nothing may separate me from thee! Behold, O eternal Father! thy holy Jesus, and look upon the face of thy Christ, in whom thou art well pleased. Hear the voice of his blood, that cries out to thee, not for vengeance, but for pardon and mercy. Accept this divine oblation, and through the infinite merits of all that Jesus endured on the cross for our salvation, be pleased to look upon us, and upon all thy people, with an eye of mercy.
Whatever you do during the consecration at Mass, look up and see the Risen Lord and offer to him your love and adoration. He comes during Mass for you and desires to dwell in your heart.
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And today we celebrate...