The Mass: Liturgy of the Eucharist - Part X

Our next Eucharistic Prayer to examine is the second one of the four. Eucharistic Prayer II is probably the most familiar to us since this is the one used by many priests the majority of the time. It flows well and is not too long.

This prayer was one of three formulated by the Church after considerable debate directly following Vatican II, in the years 1963-1968. The three new Eucharistic Prayers, added along with the one we looked at last week, were promulgated by a decree of the Congregation of Rites on May 23, 1968. This prayer is actually based on one composed by Hippolytus to be used by bishops at Mass, and comes from the early third century.

The main body of the prayer, after the Preface and the Sanctus, immediately begins with thanksgiving, recognizing the Father as “the fount of all holiness.” An epiclesis follows, in which we recall the manna from the desert (Exodus 16:4-15) with the words “like the dewfall.” The Israelites were fed each morning with the bread from heaven, and now Jesus becomes for us the Bread of Life at every Mass by the power of the Holy Spirit (see John 6:27-35). The Institution Narrative and the Consecration follows. As usual, we are then asked to join in the Mystery of Faith.

In the anamnesis we thank God for making us worthy to minister to him. The second epiclesis acknowledges our desire to be one with Christ. This is followed by intercessions for the pope and the local bishop, as well as for the dead. The prayer concludes with a hope that we may be “coheirs to eternal life” with all the saints, and then we hear the final doxology.

“Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you. Humbly we pray that, partaking of the Body and Blood of Christ, we may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.” – Eucharistic Prayer II, no. 105.

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