Mass of the Presanctified

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Good Friday Holy Communion Service, in red vestments, which since 1955 has replaced the Mass of the Presanctified, in black vestments, at which a priest alone received the earlier-consecrated host, and drank unconsecrated wine into which a small portion of the host had been put

The Mass of the Presanctified (Latin: missa præsanctificatorum, Greek: leitourgia ton proegiasmenon) is a Christian liturgy traditionally celebrated on Good Friday in which the consecration is not performed. Instead, Holy Communion that was consecrated at an earlier Mass and reserved is distributed.

The liturgy had developed by the time of the Quinisext Council (Second Trullan Synod, 692). In the Roman and Anglican Rites it is used only on Good Friday, and in some Old Catholic Rites, it is used on both Good Friday and Holy Saturday.

Divine Liturgy of the Presanctified Gifts is used in the Eastern Orthodox Church and those Eastern Catholic Churches which follow the Byzantine Rite only on the weekdays (Monday through Friday) of Great Lent, and on Monday through Wednesday of Holy Week. At each of these Presanctified Liturgies, the Sacred Mysteries (Reserved Sacrament) would have been consecrated the previous Sunday.

See also

• Missa Sicca