Eucharistic Prayer

We come to the “heart and summit” of the Mass celebration when we come to the Eucharistic Prayer [CCC 1352]. This prayer of praise and sanctification is the longest prayer in the Mass. Each part of the Eucharistic Prayer draws us closer to experience the greatness of God’s love.

For this prayerful purpose, we have: the Preface, Epiclesis, Institution Narrative and Consecration, Anamnesis, Intercessions, and concluding Doxology. Through the Eucharistic Prayer, do we allow ourselves to be open to God’s miracle? That is the Transubstantiation—changing bread and wine into the Body and Blood of our Savior.

Prayerful Purpose

We lift up our hearts and offer thanks (the preface). It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation to give “thanks to the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit, for all his works: creation, redemption, and sanctification” [CCC 1352]. In unending praise, we sing to the thrice-holy God.

The celebrant then asks God to send his Holy Spirit or the power of his blessing (Epiclesis) on the bread and wine we offer. So that by God’s power, “they may become the body and blood of Jesus Christ” [CCC 1353]. And those who take part in the Eucharist may be “one body and one spirit” [CCC 1353].

We see that the Eucharist is a sacrifice. It makes present “the sacrifice of the cross” [CCC 1366]. Through the Institution Narrative and Consecration, the celebrant recites the words and follows the actions of Christ at the Last Supper. On that night, Christ offered his Body and Blood, under the species of bread and wine, giving them to the Apostles to eat and drink.

At Mass, we relive those moments of Christ as he prepared his Apostles for his greatest sacrifice. Jesus also gave them the command to perpetuate this mystery: “Do this in memory of me.” After the narrative and Consecration, we acclaim the mystery of faith. Is our faith strong enough to believe in what Christ did for our salvation? We say so when we make our proclamation.

The Church then celebrates the memorial of Jesus Christ. The celebrant calls to mind Christ’s Passion, Resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven (Anamnesis). The Church presents to God the offering of his Son which reconciles us with him [CCC 1354].

In Unity

We also learn to offer up our very selves through the mediation of Christ. The intent is to be brought into unity with God and with each other “so that God may at last be all in all” (GIRM 79f). In addition, with the intercessions “the Church indicates that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the whole Church in heaven and on earth” [CCC 1354].

We close the Eucharistic Prayer with a doxology (a prayer of praise). The priest lifts the chalice and the paten with the host and says: “Through him, and with him, and in him, / O God, almighty Father, / in the unity of the Holy Spirit, / all glory and honor is yours / for ever and ever.” We acclaim a heartfelt “Amen.”

With our Amen, we believe! Through his Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity, our Lord’s mercy pours out to us. Opening ourselves, we join our Lord in our body, mind, heart, and soul. United, we see the greatness of God’s love. So be it!

Author’s Note: Next time we will examine the Communion Rite.