Bread of the Presence
A companion for Mass and Adoration. Instructions are in red; prayers are in black.
Why "Bread of the Presence"
Lechem ha-panim was the bread kept on the golden table in the Holy Place of the tabernacle and later the Temple: twelve loaves, one for each tribe (Exodus 25:23–30; Leviticus 24:5–9). Older English Bibles call it the "showbread."
The loaves were renewed every Sabbath and eaten by the priests in the holy place (Leviticus 24:8–9). David ate them when he fled from Saul (1 Samuel 21:1–6), and Jesus himself recalls that moment (Mark 2:25–26). Hebrews 9:2 names the bread among the furnishings of the first tent.
A Talmudic tradition (Menachot 29a) says that at the pilgrim feasts the priests lifted the table so the people could see the bread and be reminded of God's love for them. Catholic writers such as Brant Pitre have traced the line from that gesture to the elevation of the Host at Mass and to the monstrance in Adoration.
The thread runs on through the manna in the wilderness and Jesus's words in John 6, "I am the bread of life," to the Last Supper. The bread that once stood before God's face is fulfilled in Christ, who is himself the presence of God, now given under the appearance of bread at the altar and kept in the tabernacle.
So the title holds a promise: what Israel set before God, God now sets before us.
Before Mass
Arrive a few minutes early. Kneel, settle, and pray one of these.
At the table of the Presence
Exodus 25:30; Leviticus 24:5–9
Lord God of Israel, you commanded that bread be set before your face continually, twelve loaves on the golden table, so that your people would never be absent from your sight. I come now as one more loaf among your people, to be set before you. Take the scattered pieces of this week, the work, the numbers, the unfinished things, and lay them on your table. Let the Word I hear find me, and let the Bread I adore find me again. Through Christ, who is himself the Bread of the Presence. Amen.
On the road to Emmaus
Luke 24:13–35
Lord Jesus, you walked beside two disciples who did not know you, and opened the Scriptures until their hearts burned. Walk this road with me today. When the readings are proclaimed, open them. Where I have studied the words, let me now meet the Word. As they knew you in the breaking of the bread, let me know you there, even before I am able to share it. Stay with me, for the day is far spent. Amen.
Setting an intention
Every Mass is offered for the whole Church and the world, and you may also bring a particular intention to it. Name one person or need before the entrance procession, and hold it especially at the Collect and at the offering of the gifts.
Walking through the Mass
What happens, why, and what it may feel like coming from the Breaking of Bread and the Anglican table. Follow the spoken texts in your parish missalette.
The Introductory Rites
1Entrance and Sign of the Crossstand
The priest reverences the altar with a kiss. The altar is treated as a sign of Christ himself, the place where his one sacrifice is made present. The whole assembly then begins in the name of the Trinity, signing themselves with the cross.
2Penitential Act and Kyriestand
The community acknowledges its sin together before approaching the Word and the altar. The Kyrie is often kept in Greek even in the Latin Rite, a trace of the Church's earliest liturgical language.
3Gloriastand
Sung or said on Sundays outside Advent and Lent, and on feasts. It opens with the angels' song over Bethlehem (Luke 2:14) and moves into praise of the Father and the Lamb.
4Collectstand
The priest says "Let us pray" and then pauses. That silence is for you: place your intention in it. The prayer that follows "collects" (colligere) the prayers of everyone present into one.
The Liturgy of the Word
5First Readingsit
On Sundays this is usually from the Old Testament, chosen to echo the Gospel of the day. Read it typologically and listen for the shape the Gospel will fill. Augustine's principle applies: the New is hidden in the Old, and the Old is made plain in the New.
6Responsorial Psalmsit
The people answer the first reading with Israel's own prayer book, singing a refrain between verses. The Psalm is the congregation's reply to what God has just said.
7Second Readingsit
Usually from an epistle, read more or less continuously from week to week, so it may not share the day's theme.
8Gospel Acclamationstand
Everyone stands to greet the Gospel. The Alleluia is silenced through Lent and returns at the Easter Vigil.
9Gospelstand
At the announcement, trace a small cross on your forehead, lips and heart: the Word in the mind, on the mouth, in the heart. The Church teaches that when the Gospel is proclaimed, Christ himself speaks (Sacrosanctum Concilium 7).
10Homilysit
In some parishes, catechumens are kindly sent out after the homily to break open the Word together. This is an ancient practice, and baptized candidates usually remain. Follow whatever your OCIA team has arranged.
11Profession of Faithstand
The Nicene Creed. Bow at the words about the Incarnation; on Christmas and the Annunciation, kneel instead.
12Universal Prayerstand
Intercessions for the Church, the world, those in need and the local community. Add your own intention silently under each response.
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
13Preparation of the Giftssit
Bread and wine are brought forward from the people. The priest adds a drop of water to the wine. This is read as our humanity joined to Christ's divinity, and also recalls the blood and water from his side (John 19:34).
14Preface and Holy, Holystand
The dialogue "Lift up your hearts" is among the oldest words of the liturgy. It already appears in the Apostolic Tradition of the early third century. The Sanctus joins Isaiah's seraphim (Isaiah 6:3) to Palm Sunday's crowd (Psalm 118:26): heaven and earth in one song (Hebrews 12:22–24; Revelation 4:8).
Kneel after the Sanctus.
15Calling down the Spiritkneel
The priest extends his hands over the bread and wine and asks the Father to send the Holy Spirit to make them holy. A bell may ring. Later, after the consecration, the Spirit is invoked a second time, this time over the people, that we may become one body.
Spirit of the living God, who hovered over the waters and overshadowed the Virgin, come down upon these gifts, and upon us who kneel around them. Amen.
16Institution and Consecrationkneel
The priest speaks Christ's words over the bread and the chalice and elevates each. The Church teaches that at this moment the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ. Their substance is changed while their appearances remain (Catechism 1376). Look at the Host and the chalice as each is raised.
A traditional silent prayer at each elevation:
My Lord and my God. (John 20:28)
17Mystery of Faithkneel
The people's acclamation of the death, resurrection and coming of the Lord. It is the "proclaim the Lord's death until he comes" of 1 Corinthians 11:26, sung.
18Offering and Intercessionskneel
The Church offers the spotless Victim to the Father and, with him, offers itself. Then it prays for the Pope and bishop, the living and the dead, in communion with Mary, the apostles and all the saints. Your study of the communion of saints is enacted here in the space of a paragraph.
19Doxology and Great Amenkneel
"Through him, with him, in him" lifts everything to the Father, and the whole assembly answers Amen. Around AD 155, Justin Martyr described the people giving their assent with this same word at the end of the Eucharistic prayer.
The Communion Rite
20The Lord's Prayerstand
After "deliver us from evil," the priest continues alone with a short prayer for peace. Then everyone joins in "For the kingdom, the power and the glory…".
21Sign of Peacestand
A handshake or bow to those nearby, in keeping with Matthew 5:23–24: be reconciled before you bring your gift.
22Breaking of the Bread and Lamb of Godstand
The priest breaks the Host and drops a small piece into the chalice, a sign of the living, risen Body and Blood united.
In most places, kneel when the Lamb of God ends.
23Behold the Lambkneel
The priest shows the Host to the people, joining John 1:29 with the marriage supper of the Lamb (Revelation 19:9). The people answer with words adapted from the centurion, the outsider whose faith Jesus praised (Matthew 8:8). As one not yet receiving, you can make that answer with particular honesty.
24Communionas guided
See the Communion tab for this season of preparation, including coming forward for a blessing and spiritual communion.
25Prayer after Communionstand
Brief silence, then the priest's prayer. Use the silence. It is the closest thing the Mass has to the stillness of Adoration.
The Concluding Rites
26Blessing and Dismissalstand
The Mass is named from its ending. The old dismissal Ite, missa est ("Go, it is the sending") gave us missa, the Mass. Worship ends by sending you out.
Lord, you have sent me. Let what I have seen this morning be carried into what I do this week: honest work, patient words, and attention to whoever is in front of me. Go with me, and bring me back. Amen.
Communion, for this season
While you prepare for full communion with the Church, this is your place at the Communion Rite.
Why not yet
Receiving the Eucharist is the Church's sign of a communion already shared, in faith, sacraments and governance (Catechism 1398–1401). Paul ties the one bread to the one body (1 Corinthians 10:16–17), and the word there is κοινωνία. Waiting is not a verdict on the sincerity of your faith. It honours the sign until it can be true in every sense, and the waiting can itself become prayer.
Coming forward for a blessing
Many parishes welcome those not receiving to come forward in the line with arms crossed over the chest. The priest or minister then offers a blessing instead of the Host. Practice varies, so ask your OCIA director or priest what your parish does. Remaining in the pew in prayer is equally fitting.
Either way, pray a spiritual communion as the others receive.
At the edge of the table
Matthew 15:27; Mark 5:27–29
Lord Jesus, I am not yet at your table, but I am near it: near enough to see, near enough to long. The woman of Canaan asked only for the crumbs, and you praised her faith. The woman in the crowd reached only for your hem, and power went out from you. I reach now with desire, which is all I can bring. Come to me in the way you choose, as you know how to come. Keep the longing honest and do not let it cool, until the day I receive you with your whole Church. Amen.
Act of spiritual communion
St Alphonsus Liguori
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
While the others receive
Lord, I watch your people come to you: the old and the young, the steady and the struggling. Bless each one as they receive you. Make them what they eat. And make me ready, in your time. Amen.
Holy Hour
Four movements of equal length. Each ray is a share of the time you give; watch them fill.
Names to rest on
For the third movement. Take one name and stay with it.
Prayers before the Blessed Sacrament
On arriving
Psalm 46:10 (46:11 in the Hebrew)
"Be still" translates הַרְפּוּ (harpu), "let go, let your hands drop." Begin there.
Lord Jesus, truly present, I let go of what I carried in. You were here before I came, and you will be here when I leave. For this hour, let me simply be with you. Amen.
Offering the mind
Mark 12:30
Lord, you know how I come to you: with questions and cross-references, the Hebrew and the Greek open on the table. I do not leave my mind at the door. You made it, and you asked to be loved with it. But here, before you, let the study come to rest. Let me stop parsing the Word and simply be in the presence of the One it speaks of. What I cannot resolve, I leave with you. What I have understood, I offer back. What I am not meant to grasp, let me adore. Amen.
Come, Holy Spirit
Acts 1:14; 2:1–4
Holy Spirit, you came upon those who were gathered and waiting in prayer. I wait here as they waited. I ask for no sign but this: to know that he is here, and to love him more. If you give a word, a song, a stillness, I receive it. If you give only silence, I receive that too. Amen.
The Angel's prayer
Fátima, 1916
My God, I believe, I adore, I hope, and I love you. I ask pardon for those who do not believe, do not adore, do not hope, and do not love you. Amen.
On leaving
Lord, I go back to the work, the screens and the people. You remain here, and you go with me. Let this hour sit underneath the rest of the day, the way the foundation sits under the house: unseen, and holding everything up. Amen.
Genuflect before leaving if the Sacrament is reserved; kneel on both knees if it is exposed.
Benediction
Sung when the Sacrament is exposed and the priest blesses the people with the monstrance.
O Salutaris Hostia
St Thomas Aquinas. Sung at exposition.
O salutaris Hostia, quae caeli pandis ostium, bella premunt hostilia: da robur, fer auxilium. Uni trinoque Domino sit sempiterna gloria, qui vitam sine termino nobis donet in patria. Amen.
O saving Victim, opening wide the gate of heaven: enemies press their war upon us; give strength, bring help. To the Lord, one and three, be glory without end, who grants us life without limit in the homeland. Amen.
Tantum Ergo
St Thomas Aquinas; English by Edward Caswall. Sung before the blessing.
Tantum ergo Sacramentum veneremur cernui: et antiquum documentum novo cedat ritui: praestet fides supplementum sensuum defectui. Genitori, Genitoque laus et iubilatio, salus, honor, virtus quoque sit et benedictio: procedenti ab utroque compar sit laudatio. Amen.
Down in adoration falling, lo! the sacred Host we hail; lo! o'er ancient forms departing, newer rites of grace prevail; faith for all defects supplying, where the feeble senses fail. To the everlasting Father, and the Son who reigns on high, with the Holy Ghost proceeding forth from each eternally, be salvation, honour, blessing, might and endless majesty. Amen.
The Divine Praises
Said after the blessing, each line repeated by the people.
Blessed be God. Blessed be his holy Name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true Man. Blessed be the Name of Jesus. Blessed be his most Sacred Heart. Blessed be his most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy Sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be Saint Joseph, her most chaste spouse. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints.
Prayers of the Church
Classic Eucharistic prayers, tested by centuries of use.
Anima Christi
Fourteenth century. Traditionally prayed after Mass.
Soul of Christ, sanctify me. Body of Christ, save me. Blood of Christ, inebriate me. Water from the side of Christ, wash me. Passion of Christ, strengthen me. O good Jesus, hear me. Within thy wounds hide me. Suffer me not to be separated from thee. From the malicious enemy defend me. In the hour of my death call me, and bid me come unto thee, that with thy saints I may praise thee for ever and ever. Amen.
Adoro te devote
St Thomas Aquinas; English by Gerard Manley Hopkins. Opening stanzas.
Adoro te devote, latens Deitas, quae sub his figuris vere latitas: tibi se cor meum totum subiicit, quia te contemplans totum deficit.
Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, masked by these bare shadows, shape and nothing more, see, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art. Seeing, touching, tasting are in thee deceived; how says trusty hearing? that shall be believed; what God's Son has told me, take for truth I do; Truth himself speaks truly or there's nothing true.
Before Mass (St Thomas Aquinas)
From the Latin Omnipotens sempiterne Deus. Prayed now as preparation of desire.
Almighty and eternal God, behold, I come to the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come as one sick to the physician of life, as one unclean to the fountain of mercy, as one blind to the light of eternal brightness, as one poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. I ask the abundance of your boundless generosity to heal my sickness, wash my uncleanness, enlighten my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness, so that I may approach the Bread of angels, the King of kings and Lord of lords, with reverence and humility, with contrition and devotion, with purity and faith, as befits the salvation of my soul. Amen.
O Sacrament most holy
O Sacrament most holy, O Sacrament divine, all praise and all thanksgiving be every moment thine.
Spiritual communion (St Alphonsus)
My Jesus, I believe that you are present in the Most Holy Sacrament. I love you above all things, and I desire to receive you into my soul. Since I cannot at this moment receive you sacramentally, come at least spiritually into my heart. I embrace you as if you were already there, and unite myself wholly to you. Never permit me to be separated from you. Amen.
Intentions
People and needs to carry to Mass. Mark them when they are answered.
My prayers
Prayers you have written or found and want to keep close.
After Mass
A line or two on what struck you in the readings, the homily or the silence.
Keep a copy
Everything on this tab stays on this device only. Copy it out from time to time to keep it safe.