THE MASS

I. INTRODUCTORY RITESEntranceVeneration of the AltarGreetingPenitential Rite“Lord, Have Mercy”“Glory to God in the Highest”Opening Prayer

II. THE LITURGY OF THE WORDScripture ReadingsHomilyProfession of FaithPrayers of the Faithful

III. THE LITURGY OF THEEUCHARISTPreparation of the GiftsEucharistic Prayer

1. Preface2. SANCTUS<3. Epiclesis4. Consecration5. The Mystery of Faith6. Anamnesis7. Offering8. Intercessions9. Final Doxology & Amen

Communion Rite1. Lord’s Prayer2. Rite of Peace3. Breaking of Bread4. Communion5. Prayer After Communion

IV. CONCLUDING RITESAnnouncementsBlessingDismissalVeneration of the AltarPersonal Thanksgiving

#26 in a series of 40 inserts researched and compiled for the parishioners ofSt. John the Apostle Catholic Church, Lincoln, Nebraska. (c)2005.

The Eucharistic Prayer: SanctusSanctus is the Latin word for “holy.” The more accurate name of this prayer is the LatinTersanctus meaning “three holies,” which is apparent because “holy” is repeated threetimes at the very beginning of the prayer.

Our response to all of the great things that God has done for us is to first join in withthe heavenly choir and sing a passage found in both Isaiah and the Book of Revelation(see box below). Then we join in with those who welcomed our Lord as he entered the cityof Jerusalem on Palm Sunday.

Knowing where the parts of the Sanctus come from in Scripture should help us toreflect on what is going on here. The quotes from Isaiah and the Book of Revelation relatethe worship of God in heaven. The quote from the Gospel relates to the worship of God onearth--Jesus the Son of God entering Jerusalem, where He would celebrate the LastSupper, be crucified, die, and rise again from the dead.

Here we are on earth joining the worship of God in heaven and celebrating that Hehas chosen to become one of us. This is a song of great praise to God both for what Hehas done and is about to do during this Mass.

The Eucharistic Prayer is reserved for the priest. However, this solemn prayer thatbegan with the Preface is now interrupted to allow us to intervene with the Sanctus. Wesing with the entire creation that mysterious passage in Isaiah, wherein the prophet tellsus of his vision of God. The seraphim were gathered around the throne, extolling thethrice-holy Lord of all creation, when God revealed his mission to the prophet. We add tothis acclamation, the psalms and hosannas that resounded in Jerusalem on Psalm Sunday.

Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,heaven and earth are full of your glory.Hosanna in the highest.Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.Hosanna in the highest.

Cardinal Bona (seventeenth century) explains that this hymn contains three praises andtwo petitions:

First, we extol the holiness, power, and supreme dominion of God, when we say,“Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might.”

Then, we praise his glory which shines forth in all creatures, when we say,“Heaven and earth are full of your glory.”

Third, we laud Christ by saying, “Blessed is he who comes in the name of theLord.” While saying this, we invite him to come to our souls with the same affectionand devotion with which his Blessed Mother received him at the annunciation.

The two petitions are: “Hosanna in the highest”; we say it twice, asking for oursalvation and everything that leads to it. The first petition is addressed to God, andthe second to Christ.

This hymn does not appear in the ancient liturgy. Its inclusion in the Mass is attributedto Pope St. Sixtus I (119-128). Among the Greeks, the hymn is called the Trisagion.

W H E R E I S I T I N S C R I P T U R E ?

The Sanctus is derived from several different passages in the Bible:

“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

--Isaiah 6:3

“Holy, holy, holy, is the Lord God Almighty . . .” -- Revelation 4:8

“Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! . . . Hosanna in the highest!”-- Mark 11:9-10