Message from the Bishop on the Mass (3/4): After the Liturgy of the Word, the priest goes to the altar to begin the second part of the Mass, called the Liturgy of the Eucharist. This part of the Mass repeats in a ritual or ceremonial way the four actions of Jesus at the Last Supper - he TOOK bread and wine, he BLESSED it, then BROKE it and SHARED it. 'He TOOK' is repeated when the bread and wine is brought to the altar, taken by the priest with the prayer 'Blessed are you God of all creation...' Having purified his fingers, the priest then invites the people to pray that the 'sacrifice will be acceptable...' The response is MAY THE LORD RECEIVE THIS SACRIFICE FROM YOUR HANDS FOR OUR GOOD AND THAT OF ALL HIS HOLY CHURCH. The priest then says the Prayer over the Gifts, which concludes the first part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist which repeats the action of Jesus - 'he TOOK'.
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