Ordinary Form·Liturgy of the Eucharist
Fraction & Agnus Dei
The Bread is broken; the Lamb of God is acclaimed.
What happens
The priest breaks the consecrated Host and places a small piece in the chalice (the ), saying quietly, 'May this mingling of the Body and Blood…'. Meanwhile, the Agnus Dei ('…') is sung or said by the people with the choir.
Why it happens
The gesture of the breaking of bread, by which the was known in apostolic times, signifies that the many faithful are made one body by receiving Communion from the one Bread of Life. The accompanies this rite as a plea for mercy.
Sources
- GIRM §83