In addition to being an internationally known composer, Olivier Messiaen was, for most of his life a practicing organist, with a regular church job. Not surprisingly, he composed a formidable collection of organ works, from Le Banquet Céleste in 1928 to Livre du Saint Sacrement in 1984. While going through the composer's papers after his death, his wife, pianist Yvonne Loriod, came across a few additional pieces to add to the set.

Offrande au Saint Sacrement is a short, undated work, apparently composed between 1930 and 1935. Given the title, one might surmise Messiaen composed this piece for himself, to play for a Mass service, perhaps during the Offertory. The music is built upon a slow chordal progression which begins on a pedal tone, moves away then comes back, rests, then moves along again. Ostensibly tonal, the harmonies use extended sonorities (added notes) and unusual sequences which make his music unique even at this early stage of his development. Over this chorale-type music is a flowing line that is constantly in motion, the intricate patterning moving this layer, so the speak, slightly out of focus as it meanders up and down. It serves, really, as ornamental coloration to the chorale layer. As a contrast in the middle, Messiaen inserts a more sharply focused melodic passage over a held chord, changing the organ stops to obtain different shades of organ color.

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