Dare thy most to praise Him well! For He doth all praise excel. None can ever reach His due. Sion, lift thy voice and sing: Praise with hymns thy Shepherd true.
« Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever. » (Jn 6, 58)
is the gift of Love in person : God gives Himself in the Paschal sacrament of Jesus Christ.
« I have ardently longed to eat this Passover with you. » (Lc 22, 15) It is the true living Bread which the brethren twelve received at the Supper of the Lord.
Ancient forms departing, newer rites of grace prevail. ( Tantum ergo )
His own act, at Supper seated, Christ ordained to be repeated, In His memory divine.
«Obedient to His sacred teaching, we consecrate the bread and wine in sacrifice of salvation. What wonder must the Eucharistic mystery also awaken in our own hearts! » His Holiness Benedict XVI
When the Church celebrates the Eucharistic banquet, she does not do « as if » it were the first time: it is the event of a unique love that is ALWAYS offered to us.
He gave You thanks, He broke the bread,
He gave it to His disciples, and said :
«Take this, all of you, and eat it: This is my body which will be given up for you.» « Christ loved the Church and sacrificed Himself for Her. » (Ep 5, 25)
Chalice of liveliness, aflame, bubbling over with life, sealed with the warmth of the Spirit ! (Pseudo- Hippolyte)
This Mystery has great significance. (Ep 5, 32)
« No one can have greater love than to lay down his life for his friends. » (Jn 15, 13)
Christ is risen
Christ will come again in glory. Amen ! Come, Lord Jesus ! (Rev 20, 22)
The Eucharist seals a long history of alliance between God and His people. This supreme gift has been prepared at length in the history of salvation.
As once you accepted the gifts of your servant Abel, It was because of his faith, though he is dead, he still speaks by faith. (Heb 11, 4)
T h e s a c r i f i c e o f o u r f a t h e r A b r a h a m It was by faith, that Abraham offered Isaac to sacrifice. (Heb 11, 17)
And what offered Melchisedech, King of saving justice, King of peace. (Heb 7, 2)
Look with favour on these offerings and accept them. (Eucharistic Prayer I)
« My flesh is real food, and my blood is real drink. Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood lives in me and I live in that person. » (Jn 6, 55-56)
The Holy Spirit is invoked on the offerings and the assembly. He is the glory of the Trinitarian communion at work in each Eucharistic Celebration.
By your Holy Spirit, gather all who share this bread and wine into the one body of Christ, a living sacrifice of praise. (Eucharistic Prayer IV)
Our Father, who art in heaven, give us this day our daily bread.
This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world.
The Church learns to be in communion with the redeeming and nuptial love o f t h e S a c r i f i c i a l L a m b with the spotless Virgin.
Who truly suffered, sacrificed on the Cross for man, Whose pierced side overflowed with water and blood. In Mary and through Mary, the Church is in perfect communion with the cross. From the opened side spurted out blood, plenary sign of the spiritual wedding. (Pseudo-Hippolyte)
« The Master is here, and wants to see you. » (Jn 11, 28) Living with Christ the Lord, they achieve a close familiarity with Him and in His presence pour out their hearts.
« It is pleasant to lie close to His Breast like the Beloved Disciple and feel the infinite love present in His Heart. » John-Paul II
Benedict XVI
Eucharist, the Gift of God, commits the Church to share it with the whole humanity… « I h a v e c o m e s o t h a t t h e y m a y have life to the full. » ( J n 1 0, 1 0 )
« You must love one another just as I have loved you. » (Jn 13, 34)
Drawing her life from the Eucharist, the Church brings hope of eternal life to the whole of humanity. « Anyone who eats this bread will live for ever. » (Jn 6, 58)
Texts : Liturgy and Background Picture : Cathedral of Quebec City high altar and baldachin For other PowerPoint Slide shows clic on this link : For French version Chant : The monks of the Abbaye Saint-Pierre de Solesmes Montage & chant :