The Society of Saint Pius X
District of Great Britain
The Priest now begins the most solemn moment of the Mass and, obedient to Jesus' commandment, re-enacts the Last Supper where the substance of the bread is changed into the Body of Christ and wine changed into His Blood. The Council of Trent tells us that "the Sacrifice that is offered on the altar is the same Sacrifice that was offered on Calvary: it is the same Priest, the same Victim".
The prayer "Qui pridie" ("Who the day before He suffered...") is said with the utmost reverence, the Priest bowing low over the altar while holding the Host between finger and thumb. After the words of Consecration "Hoc est enim Corpus meum" ("For this is My body") and the Priest genuflects in adoration of God present on the altar. A bell is rung three times as an indication for all present to adore Christ on the altar.
From this point onwards, the Priest never touches the Sacred Host without genuflecting before and after, and his thumb and forefinger which have held the Body of Our Lord are kept joined together until after the Communion.
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Updated Mass Schedules now available. Please click here.
June 2004: The Chelmsford Mass Centre has been discontinued. Click here for Father Morgan's note of appreciation for those who generously contributed to the work of this centre.
March 2004: Masses at Chulmleigh Manor Chapel in Devon will replace those previously held at the University of Plymouth. Click here for details.