The Mass as it Relates to the Interior Life ~ Part V

Fr. Samuel Waters | The Daily Knight | Sermon

The Canon

The Canon is the mode of offering the Sacrifice.

By the 7th Century (600’s AD) it already had the same form as it has today. Originally it began with the “Sursum Corda”, (Lift up your heart” first line in the Preface). Today it begins following the “Santus”. During the Canon there is silence. We also should be silent. We should impose silence on all our cares and distractions. We should follow the priest with profound respect. Now the most majestic mystery of the Altar is going to be offered.

At the “Te Igitur” the priest asks God to come down and bless our offerings. In the second paragraph which begins with the words “In Primis,” the priest prays for the necessities of Holy Church. He asks God to grant it peace, to protect it, to unite it, and govern it throughout the world. He asks God to guide the Pope, and to direct the bishops.

Finally, the priest prays for all true Sons of the Catholic and Apostolic Church. It is in union with all of those that he offers the Holy Sacrifice. Next, he openly affirms the community in faith and charity with those who have gone before and who are still united to them in Christ. Across time and space, he makes note of those apostles, the martyrs who have gone before us to be renewed in our oneness. who profess the same Faith.

Never forget the Eucharist is the Sacrament of Unity.

The purpose of the Mass is to pray for the Church. It is also for the devotion of many souls, those faithful who give first place to the care of the Church, the spouse of Christ. They see to it that it is kept beautiful, like God Himself, powerful in its actions and victorious in its struggles. We should expand and increase our piety. We should be noble souls who seek the Glory of God and the Glory of His Christ. We should seek it through the Church of Christ.

“Momento Domine” (Remember Oh Lord thy servants), This is when the priest prays for the intentions of the living individuals, those for whom the Mass is being offered.

This is the spiritual fruit of the Mass which is the property of the priest who offers it. What a privilege it is to be present on the lips and in the thoughts of the priest when he is about to accomplish the most tremendous and sacred act known to man.