E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

74
THE OFFERING OF THE CHALICE.
EXPLANATION OF THE PRAYER IN OFFERING THE CHALICE.
We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the Chalice of
"
chalice of salvation are taken
salvation the words "
from the ii5th Psalm they refer, by anticipation,
to the Blood in the Chalice, after the Consecration,
shed for our salvation, just as in the Offering of the
Host,
"
Spotless Host," refers, by anticipation, to
the Consecrated Host, beseeching Thy clemency,
that in the sight of Thy Divine Majesty it may
ascend with the odour of sweetness for our sal
vation and for that of the whole world, for not
merely upon Catholics but upon the whole world,
graces descend through the power of the Mass.
Why, it may be asked, does the priest say "we"
offer and not "
I
"
offer? Because at Solemn Mass or
High Mass the assisting deacon joins with the priest in
offering the chalice. The Church has only one liturgy,
and its form supposes that more solemn celebration of
High Mass, which is dearer to her heart. Low Mass
differs from High Mass chiefly in omissions.
The priest then makes the sign of the Cross with
and covers it
the chalice, places it upon the corporal,
with the pall. Then with his hands joined upon the
altar, and slightly bowing down, he says :
In spiritu humilitatis, et in In the spirit of humility,
animo contrite suscipiamur a and with a contrite heart, let
te, Dornine : et sic fiat sacri- us be received by Thee, O
ficium nostrum in conspectu Lord ; and grant that the
tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, Sacrifice we offer in Thy sight
Doinine Deus. this day may be pleasing to
Thee, O Lord God.
This prayer is more or less modelled on the prayer
of the three children in the fiery furnace as given in
Daniel, third chapter, vv. 39, 40. They walked in the
midst of the flames praising God, refusing to adore the