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ORATE FRATRES

The opening words of the prayer, addressed to the people at Mass after the Offertory, "Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father." Their response emphasizes both the distinction and the similarity between the priest's sacrifice at the altar and that of the faithful.

All items in this dictionary are from Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.

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