Q. 1. What is the purpose of the "Offertory" during Holy Mass?

A. 1. The word "Offertory" comes from the Medieval Latin "offertorium" and Late Latin "offerre". It is the part of the Holy Mass when the bread and wine for use in the service are ceremonially placed on the altar.

At this time of the Mass, a collection of money or other gifts for the poor or for the Church is taken up. In the Roman Catholic Rite Mass, these gifts may be brought forward together with the bread and wine to be consecrated, but they are not to be placed on the altar.

The term "Preparation of the Gifts" is used in addition to the term "Offertory". The term "Preparation of the Gifts" represents the action of the priest, while the term "Offertory" represents the part of the Mass that is accompagnied by a chant.