An important action during the Mass occurs when, before Communion, the priest breaks the consecrated host he is to consume in two pieces. This action is an essential part of the celebration of the Mass. From the very beginning, for the early Church, this action meant the celebration of the Eucharist itself, so much so that in the Acts of the Apostles we find a number of references to Christians that gather on the first day of the week—Sunday—to celebrate the day of the Lord’s Resurrection—to break the bread (Acts 2:42. 46; 20:7. 11; see also 1 Cor 10:16). The meaning of this action is easy to understand because it is the same action that Jesus enacted at the Last Supper which is also repeated at every Mass in accordance with his command: “do this in remembrance of me” (Lk 22:19; 1 Cor 11:23-25).

In a previous article we had already explained why the priest places a piece of the host in the chalice (see Why does the priest break a piece of the Host and place it in the Chalice?). At that moment we are also struck by the fact that, while we pray the Lamb of God, the priest does not pray with the congregation … what is taking place at that time?

At that time the priest is praying one of the few prayers which he silently prays on his own. It is also one of the few prayers during the Mass which is addressed to Jesus—most of the prayers are addressed to the Father through Jesus. The reason the priest prays this prayer alone is an expression of the intimacy between the Eucharist and the priesthood: The celibate priest in the Roman Rite, before receiving the Eucharist, prays to the love of his life. He prays that he may be purified from his sins as well as strengthened in his fidelity to Christ.

The Roman Missal offers two prayers for the priest to choose from:

Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
who by the will of the Father
and the work of the Holy Spirit,
through your Death gave life to the world;
free me by this, your most holy Body and Blood,
from all my sins and from every evil;
keep me always faithful to your commandments,
and never let me be parted from you.

Or:

May the receiving of your Body and Blood,
Lord Jesus Christ,
not bring me to judgment and condemnation,
but through your loving mercy
be for me protection in mind and body,
and a healing remedy.

Now that you know what the priest prays at that time during the Mass, it would be a good idea to pray with the same intention and remember also to pray for the priest who is celebrating Mass. He also needs prayer!