E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

138 THE PRIEST S THANKSGIVING.
EXPLANATION OF THE PRAYER.
The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ remain in us
so long as the sacramental species are not destroyed.
The Church asks that the sacramental grace may not
pass rapidly as earthly food, but cling to us, filling us
with Jesus Christ, and she prays that no stain or shadow
of sin may remain in the heart that has been refreshed
by the holy sacraments. The plural form sacraments
is supposed by some to indicate the two species of
bread and wine.
of the Church
Sacraments, however, in the language
often mean sacred mysteries. We
do not find sacrament in its technical sense of an
outward sign of an inward grace before the twelfth
century. In various Postcommunions we find the
Eucharist called mysteries, divine sacraments, gifts of
a sacred mystery, heavenly gifts, heavenly nourish
ment, &c.
THE PRIESTS THANKSGIVING.
THE COMMUNION AND THE POST-
COMMUNION.
The antiphon or verse which the priest reads from
the Missal at the Epistle side of the altar after com
municating
is called the Communion. Like the
Offertory before the Oblation of bread and wine, the
Communion is the remnant of a much longer psalm