The Fraction

After the second blessing, taken from St. Paul's Epistle to Titus (Tit. ii. 13), the veil is drawn, and the priest proceeds with the Fraction. This rite, originally the simple act of the “breaking of bread” preparatory to Communion, now carries deeper symbolism.

• The priest breaks the bread and anoints it with the precious blood, signifying the reunion of the Body and Blood of Christ, which were separated in death but reunited at the resurrection.
• The portions of the sacred host are arranged in a pattern to represent either a Lamb or a Man.

The accompanying prayer is a meditation, inspired by St. Ephrem, on the propitiatory sacrifice of Christ. While the priest performs the Fraction, the people sing a hymn, followed by the deacon's short prayer of intercession called the Catholici (General Prayer). This prayer is a shortened form of what was once a longer litany at this point.

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