Transitioning to the new Roman Missal Part 8 in a series (Prepared for St. James Cathedral, Seattle by Corinna Laughlin) October 30, 2011

n the early years of the WORDS OF CONSECRATION The translators of the new

Church, the Eucharistic On the day before he was to suffer, Roman Missal chose to use the Prayer was not written he took bread in his holy and venerable hands, word “chalice” instead of “cup,” down. “The one who and with eyes raised to heaven both because the word has its Ipresides over the assembly,” to you, O God, his almighty Father, roots in the Latin word “calix,” wrote St. Justin Martyr, giving you thanks, he said the blessing, and because it is a word that is “makes a long eucharist for broke the bread not in daily use. In Liturgiam having been judged worthy of and gave it to his disciples, saying: Authenticam, the 2001 Vatican these good things” (c AD150). instruction on which the new TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, translation is based, this is the St. Hippolytus said, “It is not FOR THIS IS MY BODY, necessary that the bishop take WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. recommended practice: “If up the formulas which have indeed, in the liturgical texts, been consigned higher up as In a similar way, when supper was ended, words or expressions are though he had to force himself he took this precious chalice sometimes employed which to say them by heart in his in his holy and venerable hands, differ somewhat from usual and thanksgiving to God. Let each and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing everyday speech, it is often and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying: one pray according to his enough by virtue of this very fact capacities. If someone is TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, that the texts become truly capable of praying a long time FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, memorable and capable of while uttering a solemn prayer, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW expressing heavenly that is good… provided that AND ETERNAL COVENANT, realities” (LA, 27). his prayer is sound and WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU The use of the word conforms to orthodoxy” (c AND FOR MANY “many” has also generated much FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. discussion. It is an accurate AD215). DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. With the passage of translation of the Latin “multis,” centuries, certain prayers From Eucharistic Prayer I (the Roman Canon) and reflects the Gospel accounts came to be written down and as well--Matthew 26:28; Mark Texts of the Roman Missal, Third Edition, are copyright © 2010 by 14:24. Scripture scholars shared, and the practice of International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation improvised prayer became less (ICEL). emphasize that the use of the and less common. By the 11th word “many” in this context or 12th century, in the Roman Catholic tradition, this rich “does not mean that some are excluded”; rather, it “is a variety was gone, and just one prayer was used for the Semitism [that is, a characteristic of the language Jesus celebration of the Eucharist – the prayer we know today spoke] designating the collectivity who benefit from the as Eucharistic Prayer I, the “Roman Canon.” service of the one, and is equivalent to ‘all’” (Catholic That continued until November 30, 1969, when the Study Bible, p. 1291). (It is worth noting that some other revised Roman Missal containing the reformed liturgy Christian liturgies – the Episcopal Church, for example— was published. The revised rites included four Eucharistic already use this wording in their Eucharistic liturgy.) Prayers. The Roman Canon continues to be the first The word “many” is sure to cause confusion. In option, now supplemented by Eucharistic Prayer II, based English, the meaning of “many” is unequivocal: it means on the most ancient existing text of the Eucharistic a large number, even a majority, but it does not mean Prayer, from the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus; “all.” Does that mean that when the priest prays the Eucharistic Prayer III, a new composition; and Eucharistic words of consecration that Christ’s blood was poured out Prayer IV, which is based on ancient Eastern anaphora not for all, but for many people? The answer is a (Eucharistic Prayers). In the years since the Council, resounding no. Christ came to take away the sins not of these prayers have been further supplemented by two many, but of all: he “takes away the sins of the world,” Eucharistic Prayers for Reconciliation and a Eucharistic we will pray in a few moments. It is at the core of our Prayer for Various Needs and Occasions. belief that Christ is the Savior, not of some but of all humanity, and that he died on the cross out of love not The new translation of the Eucharistic Prayers – in just for those who know his name, but for all people. And particular, the new translation of the words of it is that all-embracing love we should call to mind when consecration – have been the subject of much discussion. we hear these words at Mass.

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