E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

128 THE BREAKING OF THE HOST.
present, one portion was dropped into the chalice, the
second was consumed by the celebrant, deacon, and
subdeacon, the third was reserved for the sick.
After the words through the same Jesus Christ
Thy Son our Lord, Who with Thee in the unity of
the Holy Ghost liveth and reigneth God, the priest
places
half the Host which is in his left hand on the
which he broke off in
paten, and holding the particle
his right hand, and the Chalice in his left, he says per
omnia saecula saeculorum for ever and for ever.
After the recital of the Sequel to the Pater Noster
in an Episcopal Mass the Archdeacon who assisted
at Mass was wont at least in some places to turn round
to the congregation and intone Humiliate vos ad
benedictionem Bow down for the Benediction to
which the rest of the clergy answered Deo gratias.
The Bishop turned to the people, blessed them and
perhaps some
blessed.
gifts they might have brought to be
This particular or special blessing did not interfere
with the general blessing to the congregation at the
end of Mass. A survival of the blessing of the Bishop
or priest in this place is seen in the Nuptial Blessing
which is given in a Nuptial Mass after the Pater Noster
and also at the end of the Mass. (See Introductory Chapter,
p. xxi.)
After Amen the priest makes the sign of the Cross
over the Chalice saying, May the peace of ^ the
Lord be *%* always with >{
you, the server answers,
and with thy spirit; and the priest drops the conse
crated particle into the Chalice saying, May this
mingling and consecration of the Body and Blood
of our Lord Jesus Christ be to us that receive It
effectual to eternal life.