The Eucharistic Liturgy

Formed, Transformed, and Sent

The is the Gathering Universal Prayer or “sign” and “cause” of our Prayer of the Faithful The gathering for worship and the Introductory with God and Rites emphasize our coming together as a As John Paul II writes, “The Prayer of our unity as the People community. From our individual lives and the Faithful responds not only to the needs of of God. In the Eucharist, situations, we gather as one family. At the the particular Christian community but also to we “unite ourselves with entrance song, we raise our voices in a those of all humanity,” and the Church “makes the heavenly liturgy” and united chorus. The ordained minister leads her own ‘the joys and hopes, the sorrows and with one another. Together us in the , which recalls anxieties of people today, especially of the transformed, we are then sent the Trinity’s divine communion of persons and poor and all those who suffer’” (Dies Domini forth to fulfill God’s will in to which we respond with one communal [On Keeping the Lord’s Day Holy], no. 38). our daily lives (Catechism of voice. As we make the Sign of the Cross, the [CCC], we turn to God, opening ourselves to his Preparation of the Gifts nos. 1325-26, 1332). In transforming presence. this way, the Eucharistic Bringing forth donations to share with the Liturgy is social in nature. It poor along with the bread and the wine was is the celebration through part of the tradition of even the first Christian which God draws us into During the Penitential Act, we acknowledge communities. The writings of SS. Paul, communion with himself and the sin that affects our relationship with God, Ambrose, John Chrysostom, Justin Martyr, with others, forming and ourselves, others, and the world around us. and Cyprian describe these donations for use transforming us to live as the We seek Christ’s healing love and forgiveness to help orphans and widows, the sick, the Body of Christ in the world. in order that we might be transformed—both imprisoned, and sojourning strangers. Pope as individuals and as a community, into a John Paul II reminds us that we bring more people of love. During the Confiteor, we than our money or donations, bread, and ask the members of our heavenly community, wine to the ; we also bring our hearts. “blessed Mary ever-Virgin, all the Angels and Through the presentation of the gifts, we Saints,” and our brothers and sisters around contribute to “a demanding culture of sharing, us to pray for us, and we for them. to be lived not only among the members of the community itself but also in society as a Liturgy of the Word whole” (Dies Domini, no. 70).

At this time, we hear a “proclamation of The Eucharistic Prayer God’s wonderful works in the history of salvation” (Pope Paul VI, Sacrosanctum During the Eucharistic Prayer, the priest prays Concilium [Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy], that we might share in the fellowship of no. 35). Through the Scriptures, we also the apostles, saints, and martyrs—recalling receive teaching, correction, and training in real and inspiring examples of the “very righteousness (2 Tm 3:16). We are guided many saints who are living examples for and instructed in faith and in how to live in us of Eucharistic worship” (Pope John Paul right relationship with God, others, ourselves, II, Dominicae Cenae [On the Mystery and and creation. Worship of the Eucharist], no. 5). As the

Sacraments and Social Mission Eucharistic Prayer continues, the reality of tradition of our Church, which lead us to to become a promoter of communion, Christ’s sacrifice is proclaimed for us in right and loving relationship with God, peace and solidarity in every situation” order to make us “a holy people” and to ourselves, and others. (Pope John Paul II, Mane Nobiscum allow us to “enjoy for ever the fullness of Before receiving Communion, we Domine [Stay with Us, Lord], no. 27). [God’s] glory.” The fourth prayer reminds acknowledge our unworthiness and pray Pope John Paul II issues this challenge: us of the Father’s desire “that we might for God’s healing for ourselves and our live no longer for ourselves” and that his community. We prepare for communion Why not make the Lord’s Day a Spirit would bring “to perfection his work with Christ and the Spirit, but also with more intense time of sharing, in the world.” one another. Pope John Paul II writes in encouraging all the inventiveness of During the consecration, the Holy Dominicae Cenae, “We approach as a which Christian charity is capable? Spirit transforms the gifts on the altar into community the table.” We receive Christ Inviting to a meal people who are the Body and Blood of Jesus. Christ’s as “a gift and grace for each individual” alone, visiting the sick, providing sacrifice does not remain at the altar but also “in the unity of His body which food for needy families, spending a but also enters into our hearts as we is the Church” (no. 4). The Eucharist is few hours in voluntary work and acts participate in it, that we might come a “sacrament of [the Church’s] unity” of solidarity: these would certainly to know and model the love that is (no. 12). be ways of bringing into people’s present in the sacrifice. This memorial lives the love of Christ received at (which he said to do “in memory of me”) Final Blessing and the Eucharistic table. (Dies Domini, recalls Christ’s words at the Last Supper. no. 72) His sacrificial act strengthens our faith The Concluding Rites with the Dismissal and also draws us to “enter into the Likewise, Pope Benedict XVI reminds prepare us for mission: empowered by very dynamic of his self-giving” (Pope us that our “fraternal communion” in the the Holy Spirit, we live out our baptismal Benedict XVI, Deus Caritas Est [God Is Eucharist, lead to “a determination consecration in the world. Renewed by Love], no. 13). to transform unjust structures and to the Eucharist, we are sent back into our restore respect for the dignity of all daily lives to transform our communities The Communion Rite men and women, created in God’s and world. image and likeness” (Pope Benedict During the Lord’s Prayer, we praise Pope John Paul II writes that the XVI, [Sacrament the Father, pray for the coming of his Prayer after Communion, Final Blessing, of Charity], no. 89). Transformation by Kingdom on earth, and recall again and Dismissal should lead “all who Christ in the Eucharist should compel our need for reconciliation to God and have shared in the Eucharist” to “a us to address injustices that degrade others. At the Rite of Peace, we extend deeper sense of the responsibility the life or dignity of others—the poor, our hands and our hearts to one another which is entrusted to them.” Returning the unborn, immigrants, the elderly— in a sign of communion and charity. to their daily lives, Christ’s disciples are all brothers and sisters in need. We then ask the Lamb of God for mercy called to “make their whole life a gift, and peace. a spiritual sacrifice pleasing to God (cf. Before the priest raises the host, Rom 12:1). They feel indebted to their Learn about the he proclaims how Christ, through “the brothers and sisters because of what at www.usccb.org/ will of the Father and the work of the they have received in the celebration” romanmissal. Holy Spirit” brought “life to the world.” (Dies Domini, no. 45). Copyright © 2013, United States Conference of On behalf of the congregation, he The Good News we have received Catholic Bishops, Washington, DC. All rights reserved. prays, “Keep me always faithful to should overflow into our lives and move Permission is hereby granted to duplicate this work without your commandments, and never let us to mission in the world. Thus, the adaptation for non-commercial use. me be parted from you.” In praying to Concluding Rites are not an end but a be faithful to the Church’s teachings, beginning, calling us to make our entire God’s help is sought in our daily lives to lives “Eucharistic,” so that “the Christian follow the mandates of Scripture and the who takes part in the Eucharist learns

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