About the Mass series: Preparation of the Gfits Part 5.

ABOUT THE MASS SERIES:

THE  MASS: ABOUT THE MASS SERIES ICON.

 

Preparation of the Gifts Part 5.

The word ‘Kiddush’ means sanctification and it is the name of the blessing pronounced by the Jews at the beginning of each Sabbath and feast day, at the moment when the first stars appear and the Sabbath lamp had been lit.  It separates profane time from time, which is more specially consecrated to God.  The Jewish prayer comprised a blessing over the wine, a blessing of the day, and a blessing over the bread. 

The father of the family said these blessings at the table, with his family and guests around him and these blessing prayers are as follows:

BLESSING FOR THE WINE:

‘Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the Universe

You who created the fruit of the vine’

BLESSING FOR THE FEAST.

Blessed are You, Lord our God, King of the universe.

You have sanctified us by your commandments;

You have given us as an inheritance the Sabbath of your holiness out of love and good will, as a memorial of the works of your creation.

This day is the first of your holy convocations. It is the memorial of the exodus from Egypt.

You have chosen us among all the peoples. You have sanctified us.

You have given us as an inheritance the Sabbath of your holiness out of love and good will. 

Blessed are you, O Lord who sanctified the Sabbath.

BLESSING FOR THE BREAD.

Blessed are you, Lord our God, King of the universe,

You who have brought bread forth from the earth’.

Compare these Jewish Kiddush blessing prayers with the prayer that accompanies the presentation of the bread at Mass.

‘Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation.

Through your goodness we have this bread to offer

 which earth has given and human hands have made.

 It will become for us the bread of life’.  

Let us listen carefully to the prayer over the wine too. 

In praying these prayers, the priest continues the praise of Jesus and as a faith community join him as we pray them from the heart.