The Memorial Acclamations Kristopher W. Seaman

The Memorial Acclamations In the face of death, God raised are part of the Eucharistic Christ Jesus from the dead to Prayer that the celebrant new life. The three acclamations and the liturgical assembly pray above go one step further than together. This is important, simply stating the mystery of because those in the liturgi- faith or the Paschal Mystery, cal assembly acclaim what the they acknowledge that we too priest celebrant proclaimed in are called to life made new. In the Eucharistic Prayer. death, in sin, in pain and suf- is dialogical, that is, it is a dia- fering, God will bring about logue. A proclamation is usu- life. For example, the third ally followed by an acclamation. acclamation ends with “you This models our life as disci- have set us free.” As disciples, ples. God moves in liturgy, God we are given the nourishment dwells in our lives and calls us, of Christ’s own Body and Blood imperfect as we are, to grow in that brings new life and trans- holiness that only God can give. formation. This transformation is God’s liberating self given The follows the Institution nar- to us through and in . rative — the words Jesus used at the over bread Perhaps the most known Memorial Acclamation is not and wine. This acclamation therefore, is our response to God’s listed above. “Christ has died, / Christ is risen, / Christ will coming to dwell among us, particularly in the transformation come again.” This particular acclamation was added some of bread and wine into Christ’s Body and Blood. In the revised time ago by the English speaking ’ conferences to the edition of The , there will now only be three Order of . This acclamation is not found in the memorial acclamations; the previous edition had four. These texts of The Roman Missal and so it will not be included in the there are as follows: revised English translation of this ritual book. The three above are the three choices available. We proclaim your Death, O Lord, “” are the words the priest celebrant and profess your Resurrection will now use in the revised edition of The Roman Missal; until you come again. rather than “Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.” “The mys- When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, tery of faith” translates quite closely to the Latin: mysterium we proclaim your Death, O Lord, fidei. Also, this now matches the other proclamations that call until you come again. for an acclamation by the people. For instance, here are some of the many examples: “The ,” “The Blood of Save us, Savior of the world, Christ,” “The word of the Lord,” “The of the Lord,” and for by your Cross and Resurrection so forth. “The mystery of faith” is not only words that we pro- you have set us free. claim, it is also the mystery that we acclaim through living in our daily lives. Transformation offered through liturgy ought All three of these acclamations mention death (in the to be lived daily in our lives as we die to all that is not of God, third acclamation Cross is used that refers to Jesus’ death on and live lives of holiness that builds life for us and for one the Cross) and Resurrection. This is mysterium fidei: “The another. “The mystery of faith.” mystery of faith.” We call this, technically, the Paschal Mystery.

Preparing Your Parish for the Revised Roman Missal: and Reproducibles for Faith Formation © 2011 Archdiocese of Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 3949 South Racine Avenue, Chicago IL 60609; 1-800-933-1800; www.LTP.org. Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 1973, 2010, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. (ICEL). All rights reserved. Photo © John Zich. This image may be reproduced for personal or parish use. The copyright notice appear with the text. Published with Ecclesiastical Approval (Canon 823, 1).