E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

1 30
THE AGNUS DEI.
THE AGNUS DEI AND THE PRAYERS
BEFORE THE PRIEST S COMMUNION.
The priest covers the chalice, genuflects, and rises to
say three times the Agnus Dei.
Since the Canon no prayer has been addressed to
our Lord, because in this portion of the Mass He is a
Victim. We offer a victim we do not pray to it. The
words Lamb of God who taketh away the sins of
the world are taken from the Baptist s description of
our Lord in John (i. 29). Compare the Preface for
" Easter He is the true Lamb who has taken ;
away the
sins of the world." The Paschal Lamb was the type
Christ is the reality. Lamb of God means either Divine
Lamb or Lamb destined by God for the Sacrifice.
The priest asks for mercy twice, striking his breast
in sign of sorrow, and the third time he asks for
peace : an appropriate request as he is on the point of
receiving the Author of peace.
In Mass for the Dead the Church, instead of mercy,
implores rest, and everlasting rest instead of peace for
the faithful departed, who are restless in their yearning
for God.