The Mass, step by step 18 of 21

Part 3: We offer and receive

18Lamb of God

  1. Take
  2. Bless
  3. Break
  4. Give
What you’ll see: the priest breaking the large Host, and dropping a small piece into the chalice.

The priest breaks the Host, as Jesus broke bread at the Last Supper and at Emmaus. We call Jesus the Lamb of God because, like the Passover lamb at Israel’s escape from Egypt, he gave his life to set us free.

Do Stand to sing; kneel when the priest says “Behold the Lamb of God”.

Say “Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us… grant us peace.”

Learn it in Latin: Agnus Dei

Did you know?

How many times is the Lamb of God sung?

For parentsThe theology behind this moment, and where every fact comes from

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Where this comes from

  • Teaching The first Christians called the whole Mass “the breaking of bread” (GIRM 83; CCC 1329; Acts 2:42). At Emmaus Jesus “was made known to them in the breaking of the bread” (Luke 24:35).
  • Teaching Sharing one bread makes the many one body (GIRM 83; 1 Corinthians 10:17).
  • Teaching The piece in the chalice shows the unity of the Lord’s Body and Blood (GIRM 83).
  • John the Baptist: “Behold, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world” (John 1:29); the Passover lamb (Exodus 12; CCC 608); the Lamb in heaven (Revelation 5:6–14).

What the labels mean: Teaching, Tradition and Tip.

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