HOLY MASS Q/As (9): THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER
What is the Eucharistic Prayer?
The Eucharistic Prayer begins after the Preface and the Sanctus. This is the most important part of the Mass and it is during the Eucharistic Prayer that Christ becomes present to us during the Mass. It is truly the centre and summit of the celebration of the Mass. The Eucharistic Prayer is also know as the Canon of the Mass. “Canon” means “rule” or “norm” and the Canon of the Mass is the “firm rule according to which the Sacrifice of the New Testament is to be celebrated” (Pope Benedict XIV, 18th Century).
The Eucharistic Prayer begins with the Preface (discussed last week) and ends at “Through him, with him, in him...” which the Priest should always says on his own. The people never join in this, but always respond “Amen”.
Why does the particular Eucharistic Prayer used at Mass change?
The traditional Eucharistic Prayer of the Roman Catholic Church was in constant use, almost without being changed, for at least 1500 years. It is also know as the “Roman Canon.” This became Eucharistic Prayer I at the renewal of the Liturgy in the 1970’s, when several new prayers were approved. Though there are now some 13 approved Eucharistic prayers, only those numbered I-IV are commonly used.
The third Eucharistic prayer has strong overtones of the liturgy of St John Chrysostom of the fourth century AD. The fourth Eucharistic Prayer is a most beautifully rendered synopsis in all essentials of the Greek liturgy of St Basil, also of the fourth century. Among other things these prayers strongly link the liturgy upon our altars to the liturgy of Eternal Life which is envisioned in the book of the “Revelations” of St. John.
The priest usually chooses one of the four main Eucharistic Prayers according to the readings, the season or feast.
Next instalment: the structure of the Eucharistic Prayer.
The Eucharistic Prayer begins after the Preface and the Sanctus. This is the most important part of the Mass and it is during the Eucharistic Prayer that Christ becomes present to us during the Mass. It is truly the centre and summit of the celebration of the Mass. The Eucharistic Prayer is also know as the Canon of the Mass. “Canon” means “rule” or “norm” and the Canon of the Mass is the “firm rule according to which the Sacrifice of the New Testament is to be celebrated” (Pope Benedict XIV, 18th Century).
The Eucharistic Prayer begins with the Preface (discussed last week) and ends at “Through him, with him, in him...” which the Priest should always says on his own. The people never join in this, but always respond “Amen”.
Why does the particular Eucharistic Prayer used at Mass change?
The traditional Eucharistic Prayer of the Roman Catholic Church was in constant use, almost without being changed, for at least 1500 years. It is also know as the “Roman Canon.” This became Eucharistic Prayer I at the renewal of the Liturgy in the 1970’s, when several new prayers were approved. Though there are now some 13 approved Eucharistic prayers, only those numbered I-IV are commonly used.
The third Eucharistic prayer has strong overtones of the liturgy of St John Chrysostom of the fourth century AD. The fourth Eucharistic Prayer is a most beautifully rendered synopsis in all essentials of the Greek liturgy of St Basil, also of the fourth century. Among other things these prayers strongly link the liturgy upon our altars to the liturgy of Eternal Life which is envisioned in the book of the “Revelations” of St. John.
The priest usually chooses one of the four main Eucharistic Prayers according to the readings, the season or feast.
Next instalment: the structure of the Eucharistic Prayer.
posted by Sinead Reekie at 12:15 pm