Having just said that it is good to thank and praise God, we now do that with the words of the Proper Preface. While the content of the prayer changes according to the Church calendar, its opening and closing remain the same.

“It is good, right, and salutary that we should at all times and in all places give thanks to You…” (Eph. 5:20; 1 Thess. 5:16-18).

“Therefore with angels and archangels and with all the company of heaven we laud and magnify Your glorious name, evermore praising You and saying…” These words clearly express the reality of the Eucharist, that we’re communing with Christ and wherever He is present, there heaven is with all of its company. This includes all the saints who have died in the Lord; the likes of Abraham and Isaac, as well as our very own loved ones (parents, grandparents, spouses, children, siblings or friends). When we receive the great mystery of the Lord’s Supper, it’s good to think of those now in heaven. When we’re joined with Christ we’re joined with His Body, the Church, whether on earth or in heaven (Eph. 1:10; Col. 1:18; Rev. 7:9-17).