Eucharist Parent Material

EUCHARI ST IC PRAYER There are four Eucharistic Prayers in common use for Masses with a general congregation. The Eucharistic Prayer is introduced by a set of responses, Introductory Dialogue, and a beautiful prayer called the Preface. The celebrant prays the Preface. At the conclusion of the Preface, the congregation join in the Holy, Holy, Holy (Sanctus). THE PREFACE There are many different forms of this prayer. They vary according to the season of the Church Year. HOLY, HOLY This is the communal response to the Preface and is a hymn of worship. THE EUCHARI ST IC PRAYER This contains the following elements: • An epiclesis (calling on God’s spirit to consecrate the bread and wine to become the body and blood of Christ). • The institution narrative, recalling the words and actions that Christ used at the Last Supper. • The Memorial Acclamation, where we proclaim our faith in Christ. • A prayer which recognises that Christ’s death, resurrection and ascension are not just remembered bu t are actually made present for us so that we might be joined to the Paschal Mystery. • Prayers for the Church. GREAT AMEN At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the Priest prays: “Through Him, and with Him, and in Him ...” and we answer with a strong and vibrant AMEN. This is our agreement with the great mystery of Faith that has just occurred. Jesus is really present here on the altar under the forms of bread and wine. S H A R E W I T H Y O U R C H I L D THE EUCHARI ST IC PRAYER In this prayer we praise, adore, thank and ask. And Jesus gives Himself, “ THIS IS MY BODY, THIS IS MY BLOOD.” The priest says: The Lord be with you. We answer: And with your spirit. FIND these prayers in the Mass book and help your child learn the responses. DISCUSS with your child the mystery that takes place each time Mass is celebrated. It is beyond us to understand how this happens for it is the action of God that takes place. HELP your child understand that the consecrated bread and wine are no longer a what but rather a Who. That is, it is not what is present on the altar but rather Who is present. This is Jesus who will be present in me after I receive holy Communion – The Body of Christ and the Blood of Christ. 16