Hey Deacon!

Last Sunday at OLO, our PSR faith formation topic invited us to look more deeply at what the Church means by “active participation” in the Mass. This participation is far more than simply being present in the pews; it is the full, conscious, and active involvement of every baptized member of the faithful in the sacred liturgy, a responsibility and a right that flows directly from our baptism. When we enter the Mass, we are not spectators but participants in Christ’s saving work, joining ourselves to the prayer of the Church.

One of the clearest moments where this participation becomes visible is the Sanctus, proclaimed by the priest and people together after the Preface: “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.” This acclamation is not a pause before the Eucharistic Prayer but an essential part of it. The Preface leads us directly into this moment, where the entire assembly joins the praise of the angels and steps into the worship of heaven. In the Sanctus, our voices unite with theirs, lifting a single cry of adoration as we enter the holiest part of the Mass.

The Sanctus serves as a kind of heavenly wake‑up call, inviting us to recognize the mystery before us: worshiping the God whose glory fills heaven and earth. Pope John Paul II taught that the Church’s threefold “Holy” proclaims God’s supreme transcendence and perfection. These words come from Isaiah’s vision of the Lord enthroned in glory while the seraphim cry out, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.”

The Book of Revelation echoes this same heavenly worship. John describes the living creatures who proclaim God’s holiness without ceasing. The Mass does not reenact that vision; rather, our earthly assembly joins its praise to the unending praise of heaven. The Roman Missal’s Preface reminds us that we are united with the choirs of angels in singing God’s glory.

The Sanctus continues with: “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.” These words recall Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem and appear in Psalm 118. “Hosanna,” once a plea for salvation, became a joyful cry of praise. At Mass, this acclamation expresses both our longing for God’s saving help and our welcome of Christ, who comes among us in the Eucharist.

Because the Sanctus is the prayer of the assembly, it should never be treated as a performance. The Roman Missal directs that priest, and people ordinarily sing or speak it together. Whether sung or spoken, the whole assembly is invited to participate with one voice.

The next time you pray the Sanctus, pause inwardly over its words. We are not merely repeating a familiar text, we are praising the holy God, joining our voices to the angels, and welcoming Christ who comes to save us. At the heart of the Mass, the Church on earth lifts its voice in praise that reaches toward heaven.