The principal participant in the celebration of the Mass is Jesus Christ, who makes his presence felt in the assembly of his followers, in the proclamation of the Word, in the person of the priest, and especially in the Eucharist. Jesus fills the community with his Spirit as his death and resurrection are memorialized, and his followers obey his command to “Do this in memory of me.” The assembled community participates in the celebration by listening to the proclamation of the Word and by bringing their lives to the altar to be offered in union with the Passion and death of Jesus. The entire community participates through responses, gestures, and song, and some members of the community assume special ministerial roles as ushers, lectors, and Eucharistic ministers. The participants are filled first with the Word of God and then with the Body and Blood of Christ. Because of his Baptism, the priest participates in the celebration as do the other members of the community. But he has a special role to fulfill because of his ordination. His configuration to Christ in a special way empowers him to preside at the Eucharistic celebration and to pronounce the words that will make Christ present in the Eucharist.