Offertory

Offertory (from the Latin offertorium and offero, "to offer") is a term used in various Christian liturgical traditions to describe the portion of a worship service in which the congregation presents gifts of bread and wine for the Eucharistic sacrifice, and often monetary offerings for the support of the church and the charitable activities it sponsors.

History

The Offertory has its roots in the early Christian church. The early Christians would bring their own bread and wine to the church for the Eucharistic celebration. This practice evolved over time into a more formal part of the liturgy, with the congregation presenting the bread and wine at the altar as a communal offering to God.

Liturgical Practice

In the Roman Rite of the Catholic Church, the Offertory is the first part of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The bread and wine are brought to the altar, along with any monetary offerings from the congregation. The priest then offers the gifts to God with a prayer of thanksgiving.

In the Anglican Communion, the Offertory is also a significant part of the Eucharistic liturgy. The congregation presents the bread and wine, and the priest offers them to God with a prayer of thanksgiving. In some Anglican churches, the Offertory may also include a procession of the gifts to the altar.

In many Protestant traditions, the Offertory is less formal. It may simply involve the collection of monetary offerings, without the presentation of bread and wine. However, in some Protestant churches, particularly those with a high church liturgy, the Offertory may closely resemble the practice in the Catholic and Anglican traditions.

Symbolism

The Offertory is rich in symbolism. The bread and wine represent the body and blood of Christ, and their presentation at the altar symbolizes the offering of Christ's sacrifice to God. The monetary offerings represent the congregation's commitment to support the work of the church and its charitable activities.

See Also

• Eucharist
• Liturgy
• Christian worship