Cardinal Gregory is coming to OLHOC next Sunday, January 23rd. You are all INVITED to join him at the 11:30 am Mass when he will dedicate our new altar.

I wrote about his visit extensively last week (January 9 weekly bulletin) and emphasized that THE ALTAR IS CENTRAL to the CELEBRATION OF THE EUCHARIST. At every Mass, the altar represents the two aspects of the same Paschal mystery: the ALTAR OF THE SACRIFICE OF THE CROSS (Jesus, as Victim, dying on the Cross for the forgiveness of our sins) and the TABLE OF THE LORD (Jesus' Last Supper Institution of the Eucharist). The liturgy of the Mass expresses this unity of sacrifice and communion in many prayers. While the priest at Mass represents Jesus, the High Priest, St Ambrose said eloquently: "The Altar represents the Body of Christ (sacrificed victim) and the Body of Christ (after the consecration and before Communion) is on the altar.”

Several of you asked questions about the Rite of an Altar Dedication. I have a simple answer: COME AND SEE! Come and participate at the 11:30 am Mass this coming Sunday. I can assure you that this will strengthen your understanding of the Sacrifice of the Mass and the central role of the altar during any Mass. As preparation, I suggest that you read slowly and meditate on the very powerful PRAYER OF DEDICATION OF AN ALTAR to be proclaimed by Cardinal Gregory:

"We glorify you, Lord, and we bless you, for the ineffable SACRAMENT OF YOUR LOVE, you have decreed that the MYSTERY OF THE ALTAR should be brought to FULFILLMENT in CHRIST, to whom all types and shadows give way.

For NOAH, a second father of the human race, once the flood had receded, set up an ALTAR to you and OFFERED SACRIFICE, which you, Father, accepted as a pleasing fragrance, thereby renewing your COVENANT OF LOVE with the human race.

ABRAHAM, Our father in faith, clinging to your word with all his heart, constructed an ALTAR, so that by not sparing ISAAC, his beloved son, he might be pleasing to you.

MOSES too, the mediator of the old Law built an ALTAR, which, sprinkled with the BLOOD OF A LAMB, would mystically prefigure the ALTAR OF THE CROSS. 

All this, CHRIST HAS FULFILLED in the PASCHAL MYSTERY: by ascending the TREE OF THE CROSS AS PRIEST AND VICTIM he handed himself over to you, Father, as a pure oblation, so that the SINS OF THE WORLD might be blotted out and a NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT be made with you.

Therefore, we humbly beseech you, O LORD: POUR FORTH FROM HEAVEN YOUR SANCTIFYING POWER UPON THIS ALTAR, built in the house of the Church, that it may be AN ALTAR DEDICATED FOR ALL TIME BY THE SACRIFICE OF CHRIST, AND STAND AT THE LORD'S TABLE where your people are refreshed by the DIVINE BANQUET.

Let this STONE, cut and shaped, be for us a SIGN OF CHRIST, from whose PIERCED SIDE FLOWED BLOOD AND WATER, by which were established the SACRAMENTS OF THE CHURCH.

Let this be a FESTIVE TABLE, to which the GUESTS OF CHRIST hasten with JOY, so that, casting on you their cares and burdens, they may gain NEW strength and SPIRIT for NEW PATHS ahead.

Let it be the PLACE OF INTIMATE COMMUNION with you and a PLACE OF PEACE, where those who FEED ON THE BODY AND BLOOD OF YOUR SON MAY BE FILLED WITH HIS SPIRIT AND GROW IN YOUR LOVE.

Let it be the SOURCE OF CHURCH's UNITY and of FRATERNAL HARMONY, where your faithful, gathering as ONE, may drink of the spirit of mutual charity.

Let it be the CENTER of our PRAISE AND THANKSGIVING until we come jubilant to the ETERNAL DWELLINGS where we are to offer you the SACRIFICE OF UNENDING PRAISE WITH CHRIST, THE HIGH PRIEST AND LIVING ALTAR, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, God forever and ever.”

We all respond: “AMEN!”

And may the dedication of the new altar next Sunday help strengthen the unity of our parish and deepen our understanding of the Mass.

One in Christ,
 

Father Alain