THE OFFERING OF THE HOST
The priest takes the cloth off the chalice. Then he holds up a small gold plate on which is the bread, called the host.
Take, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this spotless host which I, Your unworthy servant, offer to You for my many sins and for all who serve You, living and dead. May it help them and me to gain eternal life.
The priest goes to the right side of the altar. He pours wine and water into the chalice. Then the priest goes back to the middle of the altar and raises the chalice.
THE OFFERING OF THE CHALICE
We offer You, O Lord, this chalice. May it help us and all the world to gain eternal life. Amen.
The priest goes to the right side of the altar to wash his hands.
Returning to the middle of the altar, the priest bows down and says some prayers. Then he turns to the people and says the Orate Fratres.
Now the priest prays in a low voice and then in a louder voice he says the Preface:
Truly, it is right and just that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You, O holy Lord, Father almighty, Who, with Your only Son and the Holy Ghost are one God, one Lord. All the angels daily praise You, singing with one voice:
THE SANCTUS
Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of Your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
The bell is rung three times.
Kneel
THE CANON
[Note,—By a Decree of the Church (Aug. 4, 1922), the prayers during the Canon, i.e. from the Sanctus to the Pater Noster, must be said in silence.]
The priest bows low and kisses the altar.
O most merciful Father, we pray You, through Jesus
Christ, Your Son, Our
Lord, to take and bless these gifts. We offer
them to You for Your holy
Catholic Church, for our Pope and Bishop and for all
those in the
Catholic Faith.
PRAYER FOR THE LIVING
Be mindful, O Lord, of Your servants (name those for whom you wish to pray especially), and all who are now hearing this Mass. Hear, O Lord, the prayers they are offering for themselves, their friends and their families.
THE CONSECRATION OF THE HOST
The priest now bends low over the host and says:
This is my body
At these words, the bread is changed into the body of Our Lord. The bell rings. The priest kneels and then raises the Sacred Body of Our Lord. Now look at the Sacred Host and say: My Lord and my God. Then bow your head as the priest kneels again.