The Breaking Of Bread

Where Christianity stemmed from Judaism and separated as it spread through the Roman Empire about 70 CE, the sacred practice of the Liturgy of the Eucharist was similarly carried over where church began in 30CE. It is proposed that “the Acts of the Apostles also shows that the Eucharist (at first called ‘the Breaking of Bread’) was one of the cornerstones of Christian life and identity from earliest times” (Unknown, 2017), where this is established as the mystery of life, death and resurrection. People were originally persecuted for following Christianity, though it then became the favoured religion in the Empire, where the “basic shape of the Eucharist is established in these early texts: bread and wine are taken, thanks and praise are offered
While first a profane space, the college gymnasium was transformed into a sacred space through an extensive process, where in order to create the atmosphere of the church, it is converted through symbols of faith such as candles, which symbolize the Holy Spirit. This is significant where it is reminiscent of the light of Christ shining within each follower of Christianity and reminder that Christ is the light of the world, guiding people through darkness. An altar area is set up to mimic that which would be set up in a church setting, where this is decorated in materials such as cloth which are reflective of the Josephite colours yellow, blue and some brown. This is surrounded with chairs to represent a congregation, where all chairs are placed directly facing the altar area. The Bible is made a focal point where there is a procession to highlight its significance and worship its contents, where a sacred icon of Mary MacKillop reminds people of her significance and to show gratitude in the Mary MacKillop Feast Day Mass. A cross is also brought out as a symbol of faith and Jesus, where He was crucified as a sacrifice for
The corporal is unfolded in preparation, joining the gifts to the altar, where there is a prayer over the offerings. Following this is the Eucharistic prayer in which is the heart of this aspect of the mass, where the bread and wine is gathered as well as “the substance of our lives and joins them to Christ's perfect sacrifice, offering them to the Father” (United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, 2017), where this is extensively sacred as thanks is given to God and “Hosanna in the Highest” is sung to acknowledge the sacrifices made by God. Finally, there is a Communion Rite where the bread is broken and Catholics receive Holy Communion in which the body of Christ is given in the palm to represent the giving of eternal life and unity between the congregation. This is a reflective moment, where people then return to their seats to either kneel or be seated in order to give thanks to the Lord as our