Breaking of Host and "Behold the Lamb of God" Prayer

[dduringer]

I’m in the Seattle diocese where many churches have a practice of continuing to stand after the Lamb of God prayer, although we kneel to the displeasure sometimes of pastors.

In trying to understand and demonstrate the advantage of the kneeling practice, we would like to find out if there is a historical relationship to the action of the priest breaking the consecrated host and the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. Typically around here the priest will say the first few words of the Lamb of God prayer and stop while the faithful say the rest of the prayer. While they do he breaks the host and says some prayers. Then when the Lamb of God prayer is finished, he holds the broken host up for the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. My question is if it might be more correct for the priest to pray the Lamb of God prayer with the faithful, and when done break the host (at which point the faithful traditionally are kneeling which seems appropriate since “they recognized him in the breaking of the bread”), then say the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer? It seems this element of the Mass of breaking the host may very likely have a direct historical link to the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. Should they be done together as a unit, which would give some legitimacy to kneeling just before the prayer?

Does anyone know of the origins of these prayers and actions and/or how they have been said in the past?

 

[Phemie]

I’m in the Seattle diocese where many churches have a practice of continuing to stand after the Lamb of God prayer, although we kneel to the displeasure sometimes of pastors.

In trying to understand and demonstrate the advantage of the kneeling practice, we would like to find out if there is a historical relationship to the action of the priest breaking the consecrated host and the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. Typically around here the priest will say the first few words of the Lamb of God prayer and stop while the faithful say the rest of the prayer. While they do he breaks the host and says some prayers. Then when the Lamb of God prayer is finished, he holds the broken host up for the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. My question is if it might be more correct for the priest to pray the Lamb of God prayer with the faithful, and when done break the host (at which point the faithful traditionally are kneeling which seems appropriate since “they recognized him in the breaking of the bread”), then say the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer? It seems this element of the Mass of breaking the host may very likely have a direct historical link to the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. Should they be done together as a unit, which would give some legitimacy to kneeling just before the prayer?

Does anyone know of the origins of these prayers and actions and/or how they have been said in the past?

The GIRM is quite specific: the “Lamb of God” accompanies the fractioning it doesn’t precede it. That’s why if the fractioning takes longer we can repeat “Lamb of God…have mercy on us” as many times as it takes for the priest to finish and then end with “Lamb of God…hear our prayer.”

 

[benedictgal]

In the United States, the norm is to kneel during the “Ecce Agnus Dei (Behold the Lamb)”.

My PV waits until everyone has finished the sign of peace and then reverently begins the Fraction Rite as the Agnus Dei is sung (or, recited at Daily Mass). He has told us on numerous occasions that we need to be attentive to this small ritual because we are witnessing the “sacrifice”.

This has actually help us to regain some of the solemnity lost after the Sign of Peace (everyone seems to think that they’re supposed to greet everyone and their mother-in-law instead of just the persons in the very near proximity-and with sobriety).

 

[pnewton]

I am trying to find the instruction that mentions it. I will look further tonight. Until then, I did come across this GIRM tidbit under duties of the people of God.

Thus, they are to shun any appearance of individualism or division, keeping before their eyes that they have only one Father in heaven and accordingly are all brothers and sisters to each other.

 

[JRKH]

This came up in another thread named “Rant” and it was indicated that the GIRM called for standing during the Agnas Dei. I find that I am unable to comply with this for some of the same reasons stated here. Reverence to the real presence of the sacrifice.
In addition, the eucharistic ministers will approach and open the tabernacle at this point. So in addition to the point of reverence for the Sacrifice and asking God’s Mercy, there is the fact that the tabernacle door is open. This to me says Kneel!! So I do and so does my wife.

James

 

[Phemie]

This came up in another thread named “Rant” and it was indicated that the GIRM called for standing during the Agnas Dei. I find that I am unable to comply with this for some of the same reasons stated here. Reverence to the real presence of the sacrifice.
In addition, the eucharistic ministers will approach and open the tabernacle at this point. So in addition to the point of reverence for the Sacrifice and asking God’s Mercy, there is the fact that the tabernacle door is open. This to me says Kneel!! So I do and so does my wife.

James

But the Tabernacle door being open is moot at this point since Jesus was already present on the altar since the priest spoke the words of consecration. He’s not MORE present because the Tabernacle door is open.

 

[benedictgal]

I am trying to find the instruction that mentions it. I will look further tonight. Until then, I did come across this GIRM tidbit under duties of the people of God.

I’m rushing off to Mass, as today is the 14th anniversary of my mother’s death. However, the norm to kneel is found under the adaptations approved for the United States. I’ll try to dig up the exact quote, but, even Cardinal Arinze has mentioned it when he gives lectures in this country about the subject.

 

[JRKH]

But the Tabernacle door being open is moot at this point since Jesus was already present on the altar since the priest spoke the words of consecration. He’s not MORE present because the Tabernacle door is open.

True. I only meant that, for me, there is this whole “feel” at this point in the mass that drives me to my knees.

Actually it is one of the things I like about the TLM. Once we go down on our knees before the concecration, we stay down until after communion. There isn’t anything to wonder about. Just a reverent and prayerful experience building up to receiving Our Lord.

James

 

[JimR-OCDS]

From the GIRM; Bold is mine

In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise.
usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter2.shtml#sect2

Jim

 

[dduringer]

Thank you for your very helpful replies. I did find the Tridentine Mass order and see that it also has the fraction immediately after the sign of peace. As with James, some of us are already kneeling at the fraction instead of waiting until the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. I suppose there might be Mass orders available for very early liturgies also, and I’m still interested in finding out how long this liturgy element has been included.

 

[Joannm]

Thank you for your very helpful replies. I did find the Tridentine Mass order and see that it also has the fraction immediately after the sign of peace. As with James, some of us are already kneeling at the fraction instead of waiting until the “Behold the Lamb of God” prayer. I suppose there might be Mass orders available for very early liturgies also, and I’m still interested in finding out how long this liturgy element has been included.

The fraction rite is very ancient. It began at a time when there were only bishops and usually only one Mass in a city or village. The deacons would receive the Consecrated Bread from the bishop and go off to bring communion to those is outlying areas who could not come to Mass. When Christianity became more popular and there were priests celebrating Mass in the same city the deacons would bring a piece of the Body of Christ consecrated by the bishop at his Mass to the other churches to unite them in one sacrifice and celebrations. This is why a piece of the host is still dropped into the priest’s chalice during Mass. It is on the tip of my tongue what this is called but I have not had my second cup of coffee yet and my brain is not in gear.