GESTURE AND POSTURE in the ROMAN MISSAL
THE EXAMPLE OF THE OFFERTORY
The missal of 1570 laid down in detail what was to be done at every point of the mass. Gestures and variations in posture, such as making the sign of the cross, blessing, stretching the arms out wide, folding the hands together, bowing, genuflecting and kneeling down, all reinforce the words of the mass in solemn choreography. We can take the Offertory as an example, paying attention to the priest’s gestures and their meaning:
- While saying the prayer Suscipe, sancte Pater (‘Accept, holy Father’).
- ... the priest takes the host, the bread which is to be consecrated, on a paten (a metal plate) and raises it heavenwards in offering;
- he makes the sign of the cross with the paten, and ...
- akes the chalice containing the wine to be consecrated and, on being handed a cruet of water by a server, he adds a small amount of water to the wine, a custom now interpreted allegorically as indicated by the prayer.
- Then in the beautiful prayer (fortunately largely retained in the new mass) Deus qui humanae substantiae, he prays that, just as Jesus took on human nature, we may be able to share in his divine nature;
- he raises the chalice in offering, saying the prayer Offerimus tibi, Domine (We offer you, Lord);
- after which he makes the Sign of the Cross over the chalice, covers it and joins his hands on the altar,
- and, bowing slightly, once more matching his posture to the words, he says the prayer In spiritu humilitatis, humbly requesting that the sacrifice he is offering may be acceptable to God.
- Looking up to heaven, he extends his arms, then joins his hands, making the Sign of the Cross over both host and chalice on the altar before him, while calling upon the Holy Spirit to bless the sacrifice: Veni, Sanctificator’. (Come, Sanctifier).