During the Mass, the Gesture of Offering (also referred to as the "Eucharistic Doxology") comes after the Epiclesis and the words of the Last Supper. As we kneel in awe of the greatest of gifts, Jesus Christ, really, truly present in our midst, how do we respond? What could we say or do? The first response to the greatest of gifts is to open and enjoy...and then to give thanks, both verbally and through offering a gift in response. During the Doxology, the priest raises up Jesus as a gift of thanks to God, an offering of our greatest gift, along with our own little gifts, in praise of the one who deserves "all glory and honor forever and ever." And we show our union with the priest in this gesture through our vibrant, heartfelt, resounding AMEN!
Last year I posted about the gestures of the Preparation of the Chalice and the Epiclesis. Those entries continue with the following regarding the Offering... During the Mass, the Gesture of Offering (also referred to as the "Eucharistic Doxology") comes after the Epiclesis and the words of the Last Supper. As we kneel in awe of the greatest of gifts, Jesus Christ, really, truly present in our midst, how do we respond? What could we say or do? The first response to the greatest of gifts is to open and enjoy...and then to give thanks, both verbally and through offering a gift in response. During the Doxology, the priest raises up Jesus as a gift of thanks to God, an offering of our greatest gift, along with our own little gifts, in praise of the one who deserves "all glory and honor forever and ever." And we show our union with the priest in this gesture through our vibrant, heartfelt, resounding AMEN! The following pictures show a five year old's "Gestures Booklet" from earlier this year. When asked about the pictures in his booklet the child described what was happening on the "Epiclesis" page: "He's saying, 'Lord come down and make the bread and wine be You.'" Please keep our 2nd year children in your prayers as they begin to take time away through meditations and retreat, continuing to listen even more closely to the Good Shepherd and pondering the great gift of allowing His sap to flow through their branch on the True Vine. (One child was absent on Ash Wednesday when the 2nd year children received their crosses and a special blessing at Mass, but her cross was carried up for a blessing on that day as well, so she is with them in spirit in this picture!!)
It's that time of year once again! Each of the children (ages 3 to 12) spent time writing and decorating an Alleluia card this past week in the Atrium. It brought a smile to my face to see the older children enter and exclaim with joy over this yearly activity that they have fond memories of! The elementary children who have experienced this before went right to work without an introduction, designing some beautiful Alleluias that I look forward to sharing with you once they are "unburied" at Easter! Some of the younger children remembered this event from last year, but for many this was a new experience. We spoke about what "Alleluia" means ("Praise the Lord!) and talked about Lent as a time of quiet and listening as we prepare for Easter and "save up" our Alleluias for that greatest of all feasts!
"Color Day" and "Sports Day" in the Atrium!
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Carolyn Kohlhaas
CGS Catechist and Formation Leader (Levels I, II, and III) Categories
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April 2024
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