The Liturgy of the Eucharist

BookmarkFor Catholics, the Eucharist is the source and summit of the whole Christian life. It is the vital centre of all that the Church is and does, because at its heart is the real presence of the crucified, risen and glorified Lord, continuing and making available his saving work among us.
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During the Offertory Song the gifts of bread and wine are brought in procession. The Priest offers the prayers of blessing quietly at the altar. If the priest says the prayers aloud the assembly’s acclamation each time is:

Blessed be God for ever.

The Priest completes additional personal preparatory rites, and the people rise as he says:

Pray, brethren (brothers and sisters),
that my sacrifice and yours
may be acceptable to God,
the almighty Father.
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.

Then the Priest says the Prayer over the Offerings, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen.
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THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

The Lord be with you.
And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.
We lift them up to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
It is right and just.

The Priest concludes the Preface with the people, singing

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.

The Priest continues with the Eucharistic Prayer.
After the words of Consecration the priest says:

The mystery of faith.
We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
and profess your Resurrection
until you come again. Or:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
until you come again. Or:

Save us, Saviour of the world,
for by your Cross and Resurrection
you have set us free.

At the conclusion of the prayer the Priest takes the chalice and the paten with the host and, raising both, he says:

Through him, and with him, and in him,
O God, almighty Father,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours,
for ever and ever.
Amen.
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THE COMMUNION RITE

The Lord's Prayer (all stand)

At the Saviour’s command
and formed by divine teaching,
we dare to say:

Our Father, who art in heaven,
hallowed be thy name;
thy kingdom come,
thy will be done
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread,
and forgive us our trespasses,
as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Deliver us, Lord, we pray, from every evil…
and the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ.
For the kingdom,
the power and the glory are yours
now and for ever.

Lord Jesus Christ,
who said to your Apostles…
Who live and reign for ever and ever.
Amen.

The peace of the Lord be with you always.
And with your spirit.

Let us offer each other the sign of peace.

All offer one another the customary sign of peace.

Breaking of the Bread

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world, grant us peace.

Invitation to Communion (all kneel)

After his private prayers of preparation the Priest genuflects, takes the host and, holding it slightly raised above the paten or above the chalice says aloud:

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.
Lord, I am not worthy
that you should enter under my roof,
but only say the word
and my soul shall be healed.

Communion

The communicants come forward in reverent procession, and make a preparatory act of reverence by bowing their head in honour of Christ’s presence in the Sacrament.

The Body (Blood) of Christ.
Amen.

After the distribution of Communion, if appropriate, a sacred silence may be observed for a while, or a psalm or other canticle of praise or a hymn may be sung.

Prayer After Communion (all stand)

Let us pray.

All pray in silence. Then the Priest says the Prayer after Communion, at the end of which the people acclaim:

Amen