The Holy Qurbana

Pristine Cyril is a freshman at Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High School. She lives In Sudbury with her parents Cyril and Ruby and older sister Catherine. In her free time, she enjoys playing the violin and talking with friends. Pristine considers herself blessed to be a part of S.M.C.B.

The church is an essential part of any Christian’s life. There are many reasons as to why it is very important to worship in the church weekly. A primary reason is to be able to stay connected to God. By attending church weekly, we are able to hear and understand the teachings of God. This is beneficial as it reinforces our beliefs and aids us to grow in both spirit and in faith. Participating in mass fills us with divine grace and teaches us how to lead a good Christian life.

Additionally, mass helps unite the church community and ultimately brings us together to celebrate the glory of God. One of the precepts of the Catholic Church is to attend mass every Sunday, and by doing so, God will guide us on our journey to heaven.

The Holy Qurbana is the highest and most solemn form of worship in the Syro-Malabar Church. These are reasons why worshipping in the Church is very significant.

The Holy Qurbana is comprised of eight parts.

Introductory Rites
The Liturgy of the Word
The Preparation of the Gifts
The Anaphora
The Rite of Reconciliation
The Breaking of the Bread
The Holy Communion
The Concluding Prayers.

Understanding the significance of each aspect of the Holy Qurbana will help us to be fully immersed in the celebration of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection.

Introductory Rites

The first part of the Holy Qurbana is the Introductory Rites. In this part of the mass, we remember the long wait for Jesus as promised by God. Also, we recognize the beginning of Jesus’ life, including his birth and private life. This part of the mass includes the hymn Annappeshathirunalil, glory to god in the highest, psalms, and finally, the resurrection hymn.

Liturgy of the Word

The next part of the Holy Qurbana is the Liturgy of the Word. During this part, we celebrate Jesus’ public life. It also recalls how he preached and evangelized people. This part of the mass entails the trisagion, readings of the word, procession with the bible, reading of the gospel, homily, Karozutha, and prayers of blessing.

Preparation of the Gifts

The third part of the Holy Qurbana is the Preparation of the Gifts. This part prepares for the next part of the mass, the Anaphora. Mysteries of the death and resurrection of our lord are commemorated here. Material and spiritual are the two types of preparation. This part includes things like the preparation of the offerings, washing of the hands, offering of the gifts and the hymn of mysteries, the creed, and the entry into the sanctuary.

Anaphora

The fourth part of the Holy Qurbana happens to be the central part, and it is the Anaphora (Consecration), which means ‘lifting’ and ‘dedicating’ in Greek. This is when Jesus is being lifted on the cross, sacramentally, and the bread and wine is converted to the body and blood of Jesus. There are four G’hantha Cycles, each of which consist of a prayer request, prayer of praise, private prayer, and the G’hantha prayer (thanksgiving prayer). G’hantha means bowing in Syriac. During this part of the mass, we give thanks and praise to God. The Anaphora ends with the Invocation to the Holy Spirit. In the Anaphora, we celebrate Jesus' death and resurrection, as well as the descent of the Holy Spirit.

Rite Of Reconciliation

Next comes the Rite of Reconciliation. Occurring before receiving holy communion, this part of the Holy Qurbana brings us to be one with God. In order for us to receive the holy communion in a state of holiness, we must repent to have our sins forgiven. It begins with a private prayer and then goes on to the psalm of repentance.

Photo: https://www.nwcatholic.org/spirituality/ask-father/why-does-the-priest-break-the-host.html

Breaking of the bread

The Breaking of the Bread is the next part of the mass. This is where the celebrant breaks the bread, raises it, and then dips into the wine. It signifies Jesus sacrificing himself for the forgiveness of our sins and his resurrection.

Holy Communion

The seventh part is the Holy Communion. This important part of the mass is when we receive the body and blood of Jesus, the holy Eucharist. Our Eucharistic experience is fulfilled through this sacrament. We become close to the Holy Trinity through communion.

The celebrant bids farewell to the altar.

Concluding Prayers

Finally, the last part of the Holy Qurbana is the Concluding Prayers. Here, we give thanks for the holy Eucharist and praise Jesus in honour of his redemptive actions. We remember the many blessings given by Jesus and ask for salvation. The Concluding Service includes the Lord’s Prayer, thanksgiving prayers, concluding blessing, farewell prayer, and the kissing of the altar.

The various parts of the Holy Qurbana cover the mysteries of Christ, such as his birth, life, death, resurrection, ascension, the descent of the Holy Spirit, and his glorious second coming. Different aspects of the mass symbolize and cover the mysteries. For example, the breaking of the bread symbolizes resurrection and Jesus sacrificing himself for our sins to be forgiven.