E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

70
THE OFFERTORY.
with the season and feast, and is closely connected with
the Introit and Gradual, and Communion.
The things offered are bread and wine. Both are by
the institution of Jesus Christ. The bread used in the
Latin Church is made of flour and water without yeast,
that is, unleavened bread. In the Greek Church the
old custom of using leavened bread is still preserved.
Wine, according to the Council of Florence, from the
grape alone can be used ; thus gooseberry wine is
invalid.
By the precept of the Church at least a drop of
water, aqua modicissima, says the Council of Florence, is
mixed with the wine. The Council of Trent teaches (Sess.
xxii.c. 7) that the Church orders a drop or two of water to
be mingled with the wine before Consecration, because
water with wine
our Lord is believed to have mingled
at the Last Supper, as also because the mixture of
wine and water represents the Blood and Water which
flowed from His Side after Death.
The five prayers used at the oblation of bread and
wine are of comparatively recent date. The great
oblation of Christ s Body and Blood must be carefully
distinguished from the Offertory or anticipatory oblation
of bread and wine. The oblation is neither an essential
nor an integral portion of the Sacrifice ; it is not neces
sary for its completeness. The oblation is a religious
ceremony instituted by the Church to excite the reve
rence and devotion of the faithful towards the great
mystery to be accomplished, while it is the appropriation
of the bread and wine to the special service of God.
I proceed to explain these five prayers. The priest
raising his eyes to the crucifix and afterwards fixing
them on the bread lying on the paten which he holds
in his hands, says :