The Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist - Part VI

As we begin to look more deeply at the Eucharistic Prayer portion of Mass, we should take a high level view of its structure. The Roman Missal prescribes four Eucharistic Prayers (we will cover each in future articles). For now, let’s look at what all of these have in common, and their significance.

All Eucharistic Prayers are addressed to God the Father. The elements we reviewed last week form the introduction to the prayer. These were a thanksgiving (the Preface), and an acclamation (the Sanctus, or “Holy, holy, holy…”). At some point in the Eucharistic Prayer will come the first epiclesis. This is the calling down of the Holy Spirit by the priest upon the gifts of bread and wine. You will notice that we deacons don’t kneel at the start of the main part of the Eucharistic Prayer. Instead, we kneel at the first epiclesis. There will be a second epiclesis in which the Holy Spirit is referenced as the One who unites all who are gathered at the Mass.

The Institution narrative describes what Jesus did at the Last Supper. The Consecration is the action by which the bread and wine are changed into Jesus’ Real Presence.

We also find an anamnesis. This means “remembering,” but not simply recalling what took place in the Upper Room. Christ becomes truly present in the offering, the unbloody sacrifice given as an oblation once again to the Father, who returns Jesus to us in the Eucharist. There are also intercessions, in which the priest prays on our behalf for the Church and its ministers, as well as those who have died. The Eucharistic Prayer always ends with a doxology (“Through him, with him ...”), in which we express our praise to the Father in terms of the Holy Trinity.

“We carry out this command of the Lord [“Do this in memory of me”] by celebrating the memorial of his sacrifice. In so doing, we offer to the Father what he himself has given us: (…) bread and wine (…) which become the body and blood of Christ. Christ is thus really and mysteriously made present.” – Catechism of the Catholic Church no. 1357.

Questions? Comments? Suggestions? Contact me at eucharist@stmli.org.