Meditations on the Mass

MEDITATION ON THE ACTIONS OF THE MASS

Priest: Goes to the altar
Christ: Goes to the Garden of Gethsemane

Priest: Begins the Mass
Christ: Prays in the Garden

Priest: Says the Confiteor
Christ: Sweats blood

Priest: Ascends the altar and Kisses the altar
Christ: Judas betrays the Son of Man with a Kiss

Priest: Goes to Epistle side {Introit}
Christ: Jesus is taken to Annas

Priest: Returns to center of the altar {Kyrie
Eleison}
Christ: Brought to Caiphas; Denial of St. Peter three times

Priest: Kisses the altar; Says "Dominus vobiscum"
Christ: Looks at Peter and converts him

Priest: Reads the Collect and Epistle
Christ: Brought before Pilate

Priest: At the center of the altar {Munda cor}
Christ: Taken to King Herod

Priest: Reads the Gospel
Christ: Taken back to Pilate

Priest: Uncovers the chalice — removes the veil
Christ: Stripped of His garments

Priest: Offers the bread and the wine
Christ: Scourged at the Pillar

Priest: Covers the chalice with the pall
Christ: Crowned with thorns

Priest: Washes his hands (Lavabo)
Christ: Declared innocent by Pilate

Priest: Kisses the altar; says "Orate Fratres"
Christ: Pilate presents Christ — "Ecce Homo"

Priest: Says the Preface and Sanctus
Christ: Condemned by Pilate

Priest: Memento for the living
Christ: Jesus meets His afflicted mother

Priest: Blesses the bread and wine (before consecration)
Christ: Is crucified

Priest: Elevation of the Host (consecration)
Christ: Raised on the Cross

Priest: Elevation of the chalice
Christ: Shedding of the Most Precious Blood

Priest: Says outloud "Nobis quoque peccatoribus"
Christ: Prays for mankind

Priest Recites the Pater Noster — seven petitions
Christ: Seven last words

Priest: Fraction of the Sacred Host
Christ: Bows His head and dies

Priest: Small particle of the Host dropped into the chalice with the Precious Blood
Christ: The harrowing of hell/descends into limbo

Priest: Recites the Agnus Dei
Christ: Acknowledged as the Son of God by some bystanders

Priest: Receives Holy Communion
Christ: Laid in the tomb (sepulcher)

Priest: Purifies the chalice
Christ: Anointed by the Holy Women

Priest: Prepares chalice for use again
Christ: Rises from the dead

Priest: Kisses the altar and says "Dominus vobiscum"
Christ: Appears to His mother and disciples

Priest: Says the last prayers
Christ: Teaches for forty days after the Resurrection

Priest: At the center of the altar; he kisses it and says "Dominus vobiscum"
Christ: Ascends into Heaven

Priest: Imparts the blessing
Christ: Sends down the Holy Paraclete

Priest: Says "Ite missa est" and reads last Gospel
Christ: Sends the Apostles to preach the Gospel