The Eucharistic Prayer, or Communion prayer, is a Catholic prayer recited at Mass during the rite of consecration of the bread and wine. The rite takes place after the Offertory, and before saying the “Our Father.”
The Eucharistic Prayer is a central part of the Catholic rite: it prepares the believers to receive the Sacrament of the Eucharist, where they become one with Christ.
The prayer of communion is the very heart of the Mass celebration. It is a commemoration of the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with His disciples, before His Passion and death. Believers are reminded of the sacrifice of Christ for humanity, and take part in the offering.
More than serving a memorial purpose, the Eucharistic Prayer is a cornerstone of the Catholic rite, as the priest invokes the Holy Spirit to permit the transubstantiation (the conversion of the substance of the Eucharistic elements into the body and blood of Christ). Catholics believe in the presence of Christ in the consecrated Eucharist, and enter into adoration.
There are many forms of Communion Prayers.
The Eucharistic Prayer I (from the Roman Missal) was utilized by the Church from the 4th century.
After the Second Vatican Council, three more Eucharistic Prayers were added to the Roman Missal (II, III, and IV). The formulation and length may vary from one prayer to another but their global structures are roughly the same.
The introductory dialogue:
“The Lord be with you.
R. And with your spirit.
Lift up your hearts.
R. We lift them up to the Lord.
Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
R. It is right and just.”
The preface;
The Sanctus;
A prayer of thanksgiving (of varying length);
The Epiclesis (an invocation to the Holy Spirit);
A commemoration of words and action of Jesus at the Last Supper and consecration;
The Anamnesis;
The Epiclesis after the consecration (calling upon God’s Spirit before receiving Jesus’ Mystical Body);
The Intercessions;
The Doxology:
“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.”
The Great Amen.
The Mass ceremony is organised around different prayers recited at different times, by the priest alone, or with the assembly. Prayers of repentance, prayers of praise, prayers of sanctification, common prayers prepare our hearts to receive the Word of God and His communion.
The Collect
The Apostles’ Creed
Join the many prayer communities on Hozana to grow your faith every day: join a month-long program to meditate on the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Enjoy a time of meditation with a reading of the Daily Gospel. Connect with the roots of Christianity by reflecting on the words of the Fathers of the Church.