In my previous article, I noted that the General Instruction of the Roman Missal identifies seven main elements of the Eucharistic Prayer. We reflected last week on the first element of thanksgiving, which leads into the second element: acclamation. Here is what we read in the GIRM:
The acclamation, by which the whole congregation, joining with the heavenly powers, sings the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy). This acclamation, which constitutes part of the Eucharistic Prayer itself, is pronounced by all the people with the Priest. (GIRM, 79)
It has been a few articles since I referenced Venerable Bruno Lanteri’s beautiful reflections on praying the Mass by seeking the sentiments and the heart of some biblical figure who helps us to better pray those different moments in the liturgy. So let us return to his thoughts as we begin the Eucharistic Prayer. As the Preface is prayed and the Sanctus is sung, Lanteri proposes the following image: “At the Preface, I will seek the sentiments and the heart of the Heavenly Court.” Father Timothy Gallagher, the author of the book from which these reflections come, writes:
When we pray, “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of Hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory,” we say this together with the Heavenly Court…when the priest prays the Preface, you join your heart to his words as you listen, and when you say or sing the Holy, Holy, Holy, you are praying with the angels, archangels, and all the heavenly host? (A Biblical Way of Praying the Mass, p. 58 of Kindle version of book)
At this point of the Mass, I sometimes just close my eyes and picture the scene of being surrounded by saints and angels who are all gathered around the throne of the lamb to worship Him. I find this especially helpful if the number of people at Mass might not be that many. What we see with our human eyes may be somewhat disappointing, but what we see with our eyes of faith is extremely encouraging and consoling. Though the angels are not taking up space, I imagine them standing in every place where there is a gap in the pews, lining all of the aisles, and filling up the sanctuary.
I go back to the reflection I wrote a few weeks ago of my experience of the closing Mass for our Eucharistic Congress. Looking around the arena, the space was filled with people who were praising God together, a foretaste of what we await in the heavenly liturgy. But even there, with nearly 5000 people in attendance, think of how much more impressive the sight was from Heaven, where that multitude beyond counting was present with us, singing Holy, Holy, Holy to the Lord of Hosts.
To the skeptic who lives only in this world and for this world, such a vision may seem ridiculous or childish, but for us who are called to be childlike when we approach the Lord, it makes perfect sense and we are filled with joy to be joining in this amazing prayer with the entire Church – those in Heaven and on earth, from every time – past present and future. What a gift the Mass is for us who believe!
Father Alford