The priest was to the right, solemn and concentrated, with a basket in his hands. Inside it rested the consecrated bread, ready to be offered in communion.
The deacon, positioned to the left, carefully held a tray on which numerous small cups were aligned, each filled with wine, prepared to be distributed during communion.
Urraca, being the first in line, moved forward with a mix of reverence and solemnity. When she arrived in front of the priest, she extended her open hand. He, with a serene expression, carefully placed the bread on her palm and pronounced the ritual words:
"The body of Christ."
"Amen," Urraca replied with a soft but firm voice. She brought the bread to her mouth and consumed it respectfully, under the attentive gaze of the priest.
After receiving the bread and consuming it, Urraca stepped aside and headed towards the deacon, who was waiting with the tray of small cups filled with wine. When she reached him, she extended her hand and the deacon handed her one of the cups, while saying:
"The blood of Christ."
With the same devotion with which she had received the bread, Urraca replied:
"Amen."
She brought the cup to her lips and drank the wine, symbolizing the blood of Christ shed for humanity. After drinking, she returned the empty cup to the deacon, who carefully placed it back on the tray. Urraca moved away, allowing the next communicant to approach.
Urraca turned and walked back to her seat, her steps echoing softly in the silence of the church. Upon reaching her pew, she slid into her seat and sat down, closing her eyes for a moment to reflect privately on the communion she had just received.
Meanwhile, the household servants, one after another, approached the priest and deacon to participate in the sacrament. They received the bread with the words "The body of Christ" and responded with a humble "Amen." Then, they directed themselves to the deacon, who handed them a cup of wine saying "The blood of Christ," to which they also responded "Amen" before drinking.
As each servant completed the ritual, the line moved in an orderly and respectful manner. Once everyone had received communion, they returned to their places and sat down, immersed in the solemnity of the moment and the peace that usually follows the reception of the Eucharist. The church was filled with a contemplative silence, only broken by the soft murmur of prayers and the sound of the faithful returning to their seats.
After the distribution of communion to all those present, the deacon carefully collected the trays, now with empty cups, and other elements used in the sacrament. With reverent and methodical movements, he proceeded to a small room adjacent to the altar, where everything would be cleaned and stored according to the customs of the church.
Meanwhile, the priest approached the pulpit with a presence that emanated serenity and spiritual authority. The congregation, still in silence and reflection, turned their attention towards him. With outstretched hands and a voice that resonated in the sacred space, he began the prayer after communion:
"Let us pray. Almighty God, we thank you for having fed us with the body and blood of your Son. May this Eucharist that we have celebrated with faith and love be our strength and salvation. Grant us that this sacrament of unity may lead us to live in harmony and urge us to work for peace and justice in the world. Through Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen."
The congregation responded in unison with a resonant "Amen," sealing the prayer and the commitment to carry forward in their lives the message of unity and love received in communion.
With the prayer after communion concluded, the priest prepared to give the final blessing. The congregation stood up, their faces reflecting the solemnity and grace of the moment. The priest extended his hands over the faithful and with a firm and clear voice, pronounced the blessing:
"May the Lord bless you and keep you; may the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; may the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace."
The congregation responded in unison, "Amen."
Then, with a gesture of farewell, the priest said: "The Mass has ended, go in peace to love and serve the Lord."
"Thanks be to God," the congregation replied, their voices full of gratitude and commitment.
As the parishioners began to gather their things, the organ started the first notes of the "Salve Regina." The solemn and sweet melody filled the sacred space, inviting all to join in the song. The voices of the congregation rose in harmony, intoning the ancient Marian hymn that has comforted and uplifted hearts through the ages.
The "Salve Regina," with its call to the Virgin Mary as advocate and guide, provided a perfect and reflective ending to the liturgy. The parishioners sang with devotion, feeling the maternal presence of Mary and the protection of her mantle.
With the last verse of the hymn, the congregation began to leave the church, carrying with them the peace and blessing they had received. The priest stayed a few moments longer at the altar, watching his flock disperse, each carrying the light of faith into their respective lives and communities.
The congregation had left behind a resonant silence, and in that sacred space that remained, the priest and deacon prepared to share among themselves the sacrament they had offered to so many.
The priest, with hands that had consecrated and shared the bread of life countless times, took a host and presented it to the deacon. "The body of Christ," he said, with the usual solemnity, but with a tone that resonated with the intimacy of the moment.
"Amen," the deacon replied, receiving the bread and honoring the gesture with a bow of his head. Then, the priest took the chalice and offered it to the deacon: "The blood of Christ."
With another "Amen," the deacon accepted the chalice and drank, completing his communion.
Now it was the deacon's turn to serve the priest. With the same respect and care he had observed in his mentor, he lifted a host and offered it: "The body of Christ."
The priest accepted the bread with an "Amen" full of faith, and then, with hands joined, waited while the deacon prepared the chalice. "The blood of Christ," the deacon announced, and the priest drank from the wine that symbolized the eternal covenant of love and salvation.
Together, they performed the rituals of purification of the sacred vessels, each assisting the other in silence, sharing the burden and honor of their vocation. It was an act of mutual support and fraternity that was rarely witnessed by others, but that formed the foundation of their daily service.
With the church now empty, except for their shared presence, they concluded their service with a silent prayer.