Preparation of the Altar

During the collection, the altar is prepared. The altar is the center of the liturgy of the Eucharist, much in the same way that the ambo was the center of the liturgy of the Word. Now the altar is readied, usually by the altar servers. A corporal, purificator, sacramentary, paten, and chalice are all placed on the altar

Procession of the gift hymn.

A hymn is sung while the altar is being prepared and the gifts are being assembled it continues as they are brought from the congregation to the presider of the Mass in a procession. Again, the hymn brings together all of us into one and is a way of unifying the actions of those who represent us with ourselves.

Procession of the gift hymn.

A very important part of the preparation of the gifts to be offered at this Mass is the procession of the gifts to be offered at this Mass is the procession of the gifts. Remember that at the very beginning of the Mass, there was a procession in which the Book of the Gospel was held aloft as the various ministers entered the church building. Now there is another procession, this one involving representatives from the congregation.

It is important to understand the significance of the people from the congregation bringing these gifts to the presider. The gifts represent us, and the people who bring them to the front emphasize the fact that “we the congregation are asking the presider to take these gifts and to offer them to God in our name. it is important because it sets the tone for us to understand that while the presider will say many of the prayers during this part of the Mass, he is saying them for all of us who are offering this Mass to God with him.