Do you know what it means? Do you know how to say it? Have you ever heard of it before?
I am finding that the Mass is being taught less and less. Oh sure. There is "Sunday School" and there is "CCD". But if you notice in these classes, hardly anything is taught on or about the Mass. This is a tragedy. Shouldn't we be in love with the Mass? Now, I know many will say-"well, I'm in love with Christ." This is good. We are all in love with Christ. But if the Mass is a "re-creation"; if the Mass is a celebration and if we are in love with Christ-then how is it that none of these things in the Mass should be important? They cannot be separate. That is, Christ and the Mass.
I have watched children in Mass. I have watched my own children in Mass. Are we teaching them the names of the articles used at Mass? Some of us may be, but surely not all. I wonder what a difference it would make if we engaged our children just by naming some of the items. "See the beautiful chalice?" Or, "Look how the altar looks!" Or, "I wonder why Father is wearing red today?" We need to educate our kids!
So what does epiclesis mean? Have you googled it? The word itself is a Greek word meaning "to call upon". Many time in the Mass, Father calls upon God. One time in particular though, he uses the words "Let your spirit come..." and as he does this, he brings his hands over the bread and wine. This is a moment in which no one should even move!! Parents, this is the time to pray for your children! This is a time of thanksgiving! Do not miss this marvelous moment of the Holy Spirit coming down on the bread and wine. Do not allow your children to miss it. What happens if you do? Well. You've missed it.
Learn your faith. Really learn it. Fall in love with it. Then, you will also fall in love with Christ.
