Liturgy of the Eucharist

Presentation & Preparation of the Gifts Liturgy comes from a Greek word that means the public worship of the whole church. The priest prepares the altar and the gifts of bread and wine. The priest washes his hands and invites us to pray:

Presentation & Preparation “Pray, brethren that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to god, the almighty Father. (the people rise and reply) “May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.” Sacrifice means to give something up Sacrifice also means “to make holy” We join our sacrifice to Jesus’ adn this brings us closer to god - it makes us holy

Eucharistic Prayer This is the summit and center of the mass. It is a great prayer of thanksgiving and sanctification. The priest invites us to lift up our hearts in prayer. We unite our thoughts with those expressed by the priest, who addresses God in the name of the entire community.

Preface Dialogue “The Lord be with you.” (respond) “And with your spirit.” “Lift up your hearts.” (respond) “We lift them up to the Lord.” “Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.” (respond) “It is right and just.”

Holy, Holy, Holy This prayer comes at a significant point isn the Mass. It is just before we ask the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the body and Blood of Christ. It is appropriate then to praise god and to affirm God’s holiness. “Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest.”

Institution Narrative Midway the the Eucharistic Prayer the priest prays that the Holy Spirit will make our gifts holy so they become the body and Blood of Christ. The priest recounts the story of the Last Supper. During the institution narrative, through the power of the Holy spirit and words and actions of the priest the bread and wine are transformed into the Body and Blood of Christ. This is called the Consecration.

Memorial Acclamation (1st Option) “We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.” (2nd Option) “When we eat this Bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your Death, O Lord, until you come again.” (3rd Option) “Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and resurrection, you have set us free.”

Doxology The Eucharistic Prayer ends with the priest praying a prayer of praise to God the Father. “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 respond and rise) “Amen” We call this the “Great Amen” Amen = “So be it.” ( I agree or I believe )

The Communion Rite Lord’s Prayer Sign of Peace Lamb of God Holy Communion Prayer after Communion

The Lord’s Prayer The Lord’s Prayer has not changed with the New Roman Missal. The priest’s part has changed a little: “Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil, graciously grant peace in our days, that, by the help of your mercy, we may be always free from sin and safe from all distress, as we await the blessed hope and the coming of our Savior, Jesus Christ.”

Sign of Peace After the Lord’s Prayer, the priest prays to Jesus for peace and unity in the Church: “Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles: Peace I leave you, my peace I give you; look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and graciously grant her peace and unity in accordance with your will. Who live and reign for ever and ever.” (we reply) “Amen” “The peace of the Lord be with you always.” (respond) “And with your spirit.”

Lamb of God During the breaking of the bread, the priest prays a short prayer as he places a small piece of the consecrated bread into the chalice. While he does that we sing the Lamb of God. (we sing or speak) “Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, You take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us. Lamb of God, you take away the sin of the world, grant us peace.” This prayer reminds us that Jesus died for our sins.

Lamb of God “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” (we respond) “Lord I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.” These words remind us of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross and his presence with us at Mass.They call us to the sacred meal that we will share at Communion.

Holy Communion The priest says a couple of short prayers silently before receiving Communion. The Communion Rite ends with the Prayer after Communion. “Let us pray.” (after we listen to the priest’s words we respond) “Amen”

The Concluding Rite The Blessing Dismissal