In last week?s column I discussed the Liturgy of the Word, which consists of the readings from Scripture, the responsorial psalm, alleluia, Gospel, homily, Creed, and the Prayer of the Faithful. In the Liturgy of the Word, God speaks to us through the words of Sacred Scripture, and we respond to God with the creed and prayers of petition. Having summarized how God nourishes us in the Liturgy of the Word, in this week?s column I will discuss how God nourishes us in the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which consists of the following parts:

The Preparation of the Gifts: The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with a second procession, as representatives of the faithful bring forth the bread and wine that will be offered in the Mass. This ?offertory procession? symbolizes that by bringing these gifts of bread and wine the faithful are offering themselves to God. The priest then says a brief prayer over the bread and wine, before washing his hands: a gesture whereby he asks to be cleansed from all sin before the great Eucharistic Prayer begins.

The Prayer of the Offerings: Just as the introductory rites to the Liturgy of the Word concludes with a prayer or collect that gathers together the petitions of the faithful, so the preparatory rites before the great Eucharistic Prayer conclude with a Prayer over the Gifts that expresses the hope of the faithful that their gifts will be acceptable to God. Listen carefully to this theologically rich prayer.

The Eucharistic Prayer: Just as the readings from the Old and New Testament are the highpoint of the Liturgy of the Word, so the Eucharistic Prayer is the highpoint of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Eucharistic Prayer is so theologically rich and important that I will devote next week?s column to it. At this point, simply note how the prayer is punctuated by three acclamation made by the Eucharistic assembly: The Holy, Holy, the Mystery of Faith, the Great Amen.

The Communion Rite: Having asked God?s Spirit to come down and consecrate our gifts of bread and wine so that they become the Body and Blood of Christ, the worshipping assembly receives the gifts it offers. But whereas the worshipping assembly offers God gifts of bread and wine, the gifts we receive in return are the very body and blood of our crucified and risen Lord.

The Our Father: The Communion Rite begins with the Lord?s Prayer, the Our Father. Notice the invitation of the Priest: Instructed by divine teaching, we dare to say. This is the perfect prayer that summarizes all our needs.

The Rite of Peace: Before receiving the Eucharist, we need to be reconciled to each other. Therefore, we exchange a sign of Christ?s peace with each other to show that we are reconciled to each other.

The Breaking of the Bread: Next the priest breaks the one large host into the many smaller parts that the faithful will receive. Although we are many, we eat from the one loaf, which is Christ, and so we are united to each other in Christ.

The Reception of Communion: We are now ready to receive the Eucharist. Just as we were nourished by God?s Word, so we are now nourished by the body and blood of Christ.

The Communion Prayer: The Liturgy of the Eucharist concludes with a theologically rich prayer that highlights different aspect of the Eucharist we have received. Listen to it carefully.