Celebration of the Eucharist

Celebration of the Eucharist

The Mass

Foundation of the Mass• Eucharist was commanded by Jesus at the Last Supper• Ancient Jewish worship centered around scripture

reading, interpretation and instruction along with praise by psalm recitation.

• After Jesus worship began in the Temple with prayer and instruction and them to the homes of the disciples for the “breaking of the bread”

• Sunday was chosen because it was the day of the Resurrection

Gathering Together

• Temple (synagogue to Homes)• Church– Ekklesia- a calling to gather– Kirke- German translation• A chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation• The entire people of God across the world• The diocese- the local church• The assembly of believers gathered for liturgy

Contents of the Mass

The Mass is divided into 4 sections

• Introductory Rites

• Liturgy of the Word• Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Concluding Rites

Introductory Rites• Entrance Procession

-Altar servers, ministers and priest walk in while a hymn is sung

• Greetings-We begin with the Sign of the Cross and the priest says “The Lord be with you”. We respond.

• Penitential Rite-We reflect on our sins and ask for forgiveness.

• Gloria-Hymn of thanks and praise for redemption

• Opening Prayer-In reading the “Collect” the priest invites us to pray in silence

Liturgy of the Word• First Reading

-Usually from the Old Testament

• Responsorial Psalm-The reciting or singing of a psalm to which we answer a refrain

• Second Reading-Usually an epistle from the New Testament

These texts are usually read by a lector from a book called a lectionary

• Profession of Faith-We pray a statement of our beliefs together as a community

• Prayer of the Faithful-A prayer of intercession in which we ask God for the needs of all the Church

• Gospel-This is a reading from one of the four Gospels. It is read by the priest or deacon.

• Homily-After the gospel has been read, the priest reflects and explains the three readings we have heard.

Essential Elements

• Wheat Bread and grape wine– Presented at the

beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Words of consecration, Eucharistic Prayer– Epiclesis– Anamnesis

Liturgy of the Eucharist

• Offering and Preparation of Gifts-The bread and wine to be offered are brought to the altar

• Rite of Hand Washing-The priest washes his hands as a symbol of purity

• Prayer over the Gifts-The priest invites us to join with him in this sacrifice

Eucharistic Prayer-The prayer by which the priest remembers the sacrifice of Jesus, calls the Holy Spirit into the bread and wine (epiclesis) to transform them into the Body and Blood of Jesus and repeats the words of Jesus from His Last Supper. Remembers the sacrifice offered by Jesus. (anamnesis)

The transformation of the bread and wine into Jesus’ Body and Blood is called “Transubstantiation”

• Lord’s Prayer-Communion begins with the Our Father.

• Peace -We share a sign of peace with each other

• “Lamb of God”-We acknowledge Jesus as the perfect sacrifice for our sins

• Communion-The community partakes of the Body of Christ

• Prayer after Communion-First we meditate silently on the Sacrament of Eucharist. Then the priest invites us to pray together.

Concluding Rites• Greeting

– “The Lord be with you”• The priest and people share a

last greeting

• Blessing– Simple or solemn

• The priest blesses the people.

• Dismissal– “The Mass is ended go in

peace to love and serve the Lord”• We are sent out refreshed and

strengthened to carry out the gospel in our community.

Presence of Jesus at the Eucharist• In the assembly– “Wherever two or more are gathered in my name, I

am there”• In the Word of God– Scripture readings

• In the consecrated bread and wine– Transubstantiation

• In the minister– Priest or Bishop is “in persona Christi”

Ministries at the Mass• Lector– Reads the first and/or second reading

• Extraordinary minister– Helps with the distribution of the Eucharist

• Choir– “Singing is praying twice”

• Altar Server– Helps the priest with the celebration of the Mass

• Deacon– May read the Gospel and give the homily. Helps with

the celebration of the Mass

Power of the Eucharist

• Strengthens our union with Christ• Strengthens our union with the Church• Encourages prayer for the unity of all

Christians• Separates us from sin• Commits us to the poor

Living the Eucharist• The Sunday Eucharist

– Obligated to attend on Sundays and holy days– New creation made possible by the resurrection– Rest from unnecessary work

• Worship of the Eucharist– Reverence– Tabernacle

• Prefigured by the “Ark of the Covenant”– Adoration

• Eucharist exposed for worship and praise– “Monstrance”

• Makes us “no longer for ourselves”– Commits us to help those who are in need both

physically and spiritually