Accept, Lord, This Oblation

The next section of the Roman Canon, or the First Eucharistic Prayer, is called the “Hanc Igitur.” These Latin words are the first in the prayer, and remind us of the essential nature of the Mass. Hanc means “this,” and refers to the word oblationem, or in English, “oblation,” meaning “an offering” or “a sacrifice” made to God.

The priest prays, “Therefore, Lord, we pray, graciously accept this oblation of our service, that of your whole family.” What is “this oblation of our service”? It is what has already been placed on the altar, the bread and wine. As in the sacrifices offered to God since ancient times, the elements of the oblation are “separated out,” or clearly demarcated for God. Already in the offertory rite the bread (hosts) on the paten and the wine with water added in the chalice have been offered to the Almighty Father. At this part of the Mass with the Consecration close at hand, the bread and wine are clearly indicated as being the oblation that belongs to God alone. The “service” means our act of adoring God and making an offering to Him. We can say that this act is the reason for which we exist. We are created by God to offer a sacrifice of love to God that is specifically the bread and wine placed on the altar, but also includes the offering of ourselves.

Every time we come to Mass, we find ourselves in a dynamic relationship with God. Through the action of Jesus Christ, the Great High Priest, His sacrifice of the Cross is made present according to God’s design by the oblation (offering) of bread and wine through the ordained ministry of the priest. Because of and in union with this offering, every baptized person at Mass is able to offer himself or herself to the Father. It is a union of the offering of the life, the prayers and the sacrifices of each person with the one prefect Sacrifice of the Lord Jesus.

With faith in this constant teaching of the Church from the beginning, true, full, conscious and active participation in the Sacred Liturgy at Mass is made possible. This participation is not only about external participation. It is also about the fullness of interior participation with deep faith, hope and love. This makes possible the offering of the “oblation of our service”.

Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid

Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh