orate fratres QUESTION from Dave Reinschmidt November 11, 1999
Does the prayer pray brethren, that our sacrifice... refer to the Sacrifice of the Mass per se, or merely to the (unconsecrated) gifts which are at that time on the altar viewed as a sacrifice ie the people offer the work of human hands? I have heard priests (unlawfully) change the prayer to something like pray that our humble offering of bread and wine may be acceptable to God the Almighty Father... ANSWER by Mr. John Miskell on November 15, 1999
Dear Dave, This refers to the offering of bread and wine, which represents our sacrifice as opposed to the Mass which is a re-presentation of His sacrifice. As far as the priest changing the wording is concerned; . . .no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority. [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, #22] In Christ, John Miskell Back to Index Page