Followup from Host to The Breaking of the Bread Original QUESTION from Peter O'Shaughnessy April 8, 2000 ...
ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on Saturday, April 8, 2000
The Liturgy of the Eucharist plays out in four distinct stages: (1) Jesus took the bread and wine (the preparation of the gifts); (2) He gave thanks and blessed the bread and wine (Eucharistic Prayer); (3) He broke the bread (the Fraction Rite) and; (4) He gave to His disciples (Communion Rite). The current Fraction Rite comes from an ancient pre-Tridentine Tradition. Jesus was Crucified at the very same time that the Passover lambs were being sacrificed (John 19:14). Paradoxically, breaking the Host (the Lamb of God) during the Agnus Dei is quite appropriate. John Miskell Back to Index Page