Reason 19

19. Because just as Luther did away with the Offertory—since it very clearly expressed the sacrificial, propitiatory character of the Mass—so also the New Mass did away with it, reducing it to a simple preparation of the gifts.


The first thing that should be made clear here is that the terms Offertory and Presentation of the Gifts contain in themselves no real meaning of what happens. Many Protestants use the term Offertory to refer to the collection of the monetary offering which has, essentially, no sacrificial or propitiatory character despite the term.

That being said, it is not particularly clear to me how the alteration to the Offertory reduced it from being an expression of a sacrifice. In his prayers over the bread and the wind the priest says “tibi offèrimus,” that is, “we offer to you.” This is, to me, a very clear indicator of an offertory nature.

The priest then proceeds to request prayer that “meum ac vestrum sacrificium” be acceptable to God. The direct translation would be “my and also your sacrifice” (the current English translation uses the phrase “our sacrifice”). The sacrificial character of the Mass is, therefore, quite clear.

What is true is that this portion of the Mass, like most of the revised liturgy, is shorter in total text. This is primarily a result of the decision to have most of the Mass spoken aloud. Because of the difficulties attached to speaking aloud long phrases and prayers, those who worked on the liturgy chose to shorten the spoken prayers (this I think was a good idea insofar as they were spoken, but would personally like an increase in the quiet prayers of the priest).

It should also be noted that the a reference to any specific character of the Mass is not necessary at every moment in the Mass. Therefore it is legitimate that the penitential right does not make explicit reference to the sacrifice which occupies the high point of the Mass. Likewise, the incensing of the altar does not make reference to penitential acts. It is then not inherently problematic if the offertory does not make explicit reference to certain characters of the Mass, as long as those characters are not lost in the Mass entirely.