5. The Concluding Rites
The Concluding Rites are rather simple and they include the greetings, the blessing, the dismissal, and the reverencing of the altar. In usual cases some announcements precede the concluding rites.
After the greeting “The Lord be with you” and the people’s response, the celebrant blesses the congregation with the formula, “May almighty God . . .” and the people respond “Amen.” Then the deacon or priest dismisses the congregation with one of the formulas like “The Mass is ended, go in peace” to which people respond “Thanks be to God.” The celebrant kisses the altar and then bows to it as he leaves with the other ministers.1. The Changes
The format of the Concluding Rites does not change. The new response of the people to the celebrant’s greeting will be “And with your spirit” in consistency with the previous responses. On some occasions before the final blessing there will be a solemn blessing formula to which the people respond “Amen.”
The formula of the final blessing and its response will remain unchanged. The dismissal formula will have some new options like, “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” and “Go in peace glorifying the Lord by your life.” The old formulas like “Go in peace” will also continue to be used. The closing hymn is optional at every Mass. However, we will continue to have one.
2. Some Concluding Remarks
As we introduce and welcome these small changes in our celebration of the Eucharist, there are a few important aspects of the Liturgy we need to keep in mind.
1. The Efficacy of the Eucharist
How does the celebration of the Eucharist become effective and grace-giving for us? In discussing this, theologians use a Latin phrase “ex opere operato,” normally translated "the work by the work," or, as more specifically defined in the Catechism, "by the very fact of the actions being performed." This technical phrase was used since the 13th century to signify that the sacraments produce grace of themselves, apart and distinct from the grace dependent upon the intention of the person conferring the sacrament. However, it began to be misunderstood and misinterpreted. The effectiveness was explained as automatic and not dependent on the disposition of the one receiving it or of the one administering it. The efficacy of the sacrament of the Eucharist is not simply mechanical, depending only upon its mere external performance. “To attribute the efficacy of prayers or of sacramental signs to their mere external performance, apart from the interior dispositions that they demand, is to fall into superstition” (The Catechism #2111). Today there is a greater emphasis on interior disposition and hence a call for active participation of the faithful at the Eucharist.
2. Participation of the Faithful
The Vatican Council actually spelt out its intent in paragraph 14 of Sacrosanctum Concilium: “Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full, conscious, and active participation in liturgical celebrations, which is demanded by the very nature of the liturgy.”
The use of the vernacular language was to increase the active participation of the faithful at the Eucharist. Consciously responding to the greetings and directions, saying the prayers with understanding, and singing hymns knowing the meaning of the words are important aspects of this active participation. Postures of the faithful like standing, kneeling, processing etc. and gestures like sign of the cross, sign of peace etc. are important from this point of view.
3. A Time for Renewal
We are now at a unique moment in the Church. The new translation of the Mass is a significant liturgical change for English speaking faithful since Vatican II. We will need attention and patience to learn the new responses and new musical settings. As we are taken out of our routine, we have a unique opportunity to ponder anew what we say and do in the Mass and rediscover the splendor of the liturgy, so that we might grow deeper in our communion with Jesus every time we go to Mass.
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