Liturgy of the Eucharist: The Mystery of Faith

While studying the many parts of the Holy Mass, the Mystery of Faith is considered the supreme moment of the Mass. The priest has spoken the words of consecration over the bread and wine, and they have now become the body and blood of Christ. In reverence, the priest genuflects in silent adoration before Christ’s Blood in the chalice and then rises and solemnly says, “The mystery of faith.” These words, “The mystery of faith,” express the priest’s profound wonder and awe over the mystery that is taking place. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, whose body and blood were offered for our sins on Calvary, is now really present on the altar under the appearance of bread and wine.

We also join in the priest’s wonder over this mystery when we respond in one of three ways. We say, “We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again” or “When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup we proclaim your Death, O Lord until You come again.” Both of these responses are drawn from St. Paul’s words in his first letter to the Corinthians when he wrote, “For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes”.

Sometimes we respond with a third option that is “Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.” These words are borrowed from the fourth chapter of the Gospel of John when the Samaritans encountered Jesus and came to believe in His saving power. They said, “We know that this is indeed the Savior of the world.” No matter which acclamation we use, when we respond to the Mystery of Faith, we are proclaiming the wonder and glory of Jesus Christ’s presence here on this altar and our salvation through Jesus’ death and resurrection.