Recent Bulletin Sermons

Series on the Mass, Part 14: The Dominus Vobiscum
Jan.12, 2020

Note: Series on the Mass was first published in 2015 and is being repeated at the request of parishioners.

All of the important prayers of the Mass are preceded by the Dominus vobiscum, the Lord be with you, although the words may vary, as they do for the Secret prayer before the Canon of the Mass.
The Dominus vobiscum begins with the priest placing his hands flat on the altar and kissing the altar. This embrace and kiss is a means of showing reverence to Christ, Who is represented by the altar. The priest does this on behalf of all the faithful and himself as the one chosen to lead the people to Christ. During this part of the prayer, he is acting on behalf of the faithful as the head of the faithful.

The priest then stands erect and, turning to the faithful, greets them with the words “Dominus vobiscum”. He opens and closes his hands as he says these words to express the giving of the Lord to the faithful. In this part of the prayer, he acts in the person of Christ (in persona Christi). This action completes the prayer. 

Sincerely in Christ,

Rev. Charles Van Vliet, FSSP
Pastor, Regina Caeli Parish