Understanding the Eucharist

GOD SENDS – WE GO

We receive Jesus and then we are ready to go and take the life of Jesus with us
into our school, amongst our friends and with our families.

There are two key moments in this part of the Mass. The following names these moments and provides a brief explanation of each.

FINAL BLESSING

The Mass ends with a very brief rite. After greeting the people, the priest blesses them. There are three forms for the blessing:

A simple blessing – the priest blesses the assembled community in the name of the Father, son and Holy Spirit.
A solemn blessing – the people are invited to bow their heads while the priest prays three solemn invocations which vary according to the feast or season. After each invocation, the people answer Amen! The priest then gives a simple blessing.
Prayer over the People – the priest prays a prayer over the whole community to which the people answer Amen! He then gives a simple blessing.

The Mass ends as it began, with the Sign of the Cross.

DISMISSAL

We are then sent forth to continue our work for the Lord. The priest or deacon says the following:

Go forth, the Mass is ended.
Or: Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.
Or: Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.
Or: Go in peace.

We respond with thanksgiving by saying, Thanks be to God, which is what the word ‘Eucharist’ is all about.

Before leaving the sanctuary, the priest bows to kiss the altar as a sign of respect for it as the symbol of Christ in our midst. As he processes out of the church with the other ministers, we sing a hymn focusing on our mission to live as the Body of Christ in the world.