EPV1-4

Basic Texts for the American Catholic Church Diocese of California Eucharist
Eucharistic Prayers for Various Needs and Occasions I - IV

This webpage is not intended for presiders to use while celebrating the Liturgy, but is designed for comparative study of the Eucharistic Prayers. In order to see both the similarity in structure and the differences in wording and length of the various prayers, they are printed in parallel columns below. Texts and responses sung or spoken by all the people are indicated in bold type. The "words of institution" are printed in dark red.

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Preface Dialogue:

Priest: The Lord be with you.   All: And also with you.

Priest: Lift up your hearts.   All: We lift them up to the Lord.

Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God.   All: It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Preface (giving praise and thanksgiving to God):

EP for Various Needs I: The Church on the Way to Unity

EP for Various Needs II: God Guides the Church on the Way of Salvation

EP for Various Needs III: Jesus, Way to the Father

EP for Various Needs IV: Jesus, the Compassion of God

Priest: It is truly right to give you thanks, it is fitting that we sing of your glory, Father of infinite goodness.

Through the gospel proclaimed by your Son you have brought together in a single Church people of every nation, culture, and tongue. Into it you breathe the power of your Spirit, that in every age your children may be gathered as one.

Your Church bears steadfast witness to your love. It nourishes our hope for the coming of your kingdom and is a sure sign of the lasting covenant which you promised us in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Therefore heaven and earth sing forth your praise while we, with all the Church, proclaim your glory without end:

Priest: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, creator of the world and source of all life.

You never abandon the creatures formed by your wisdom, but remain with us and work for our good even now. With mighty hand and outstretched arm you led your people, Israel, through the desert. By the power of the Holy Spirit you guide your pilgrim Church today as it journeys along the paths of time to the eternal joy of your kingdom, through Christ our Lord.

Now, with all the angels and saints we praise your glory without end:

Priest: It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father of holiness, Lord of heaven and earth, through our Lord Jesus Christ.

Through your eternal Word you created all things and govern their course with infinite wisdom. In the Word made flesh you have given us a mediator who has spoken your words to us and called us to follow him. He is the way that leads to you, the truth that sets us free, the life that makes our joy complete. Through your Son you gather into one family men and women created for the glory of your name, redeemed by the blood of the cross, and sealed with the Holy Spirit.

And so we praise your mighty deeds and join with the hosts of angels, as the proclaim your glory without end:

Priest: It is truly right to give you thanks, it is fitting that we offer you praise, Father of mercy, faithful God.

You sent Jesus Christ your Son among us as redeemer and Lord. He was moved with compassion for the poor and the powerless, for the sick and the sinner; he made himself neighbor to the oppressed. By his words and actions he proclaimed to the world that you care for us as a father cares for his children.

And so, with all the angels and saints we sing the joyful hymn of your praise:

Holy, Holy (the "Sanctus", based on the praise of the Seraphim in Isa 6:3):

All:     Holy, holy, holy Lord, God of power and might,
            Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
            Hosanna in the highest.
            Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
            Hosanna in the highest.

Epiclesis (calling upon the Holy Spirit - identical text in all four of these Eucharistic Prayers):

Priest: You are truly blessed, O God of holiness: you accompany us with love as we journey through life. Blessed too is your Son, Jesus Christ, who is present among us and whose love gathers us together. As once he did for his disciples, Christ now opens the scriptures for us and breaks the bread.

[Cantor sings, and all repeat: Blessed are you, holy and faithful God.]

Great and merciful Father, we ask you to send down your Holy Spirit to hallow these gifts of bread and wine, that they may become for us the body and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

[All: Blessed are you, holy and faithful God.]

Institution Narrative (recalling the words of Jesus at the Last Supper - identical text in all four of these Eucharistic Prayers):

Priest: On the eve of his passion and death, while at table with those he loved, he took break and gave you thanks; he broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

Take this, all of you, and eat it: this is my body which will be given up for you.

When supper was ended, he took the cup; again he gave you thanks and, handing the cup to his disciples, he said:

Take this, all of you, and drink from it: this is the cup of my blood, the blood of the new and everlasting covenant. It will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven. Do this in memory of me.

Memorial Acclamation:

Priest: Let us proclaim the mystery of faith:

All: A - Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
or B - Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
or C - When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
or D - Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Savior of the World.

Anamnesis and Offering (identical text in all four of these Eucharistic Prayers):

Priest: And so, Father most holy, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son, whom you led through suffering and death on the cross to the glory of the resurrection and a place at your right hand. Until Jesus, our Savior, comes again, we proclaim the work of your love, and we offer you the bread of life and the cup of eternal blessing.

Look with favor on the offering of your Church in which we show forth the paschal sacrifice of Christ entrusted to us. Through the power of your Spirit of love include us now and for ever among the members of your Son, whose body and blood we share.

[Cantor sings, and all repeat: Unite us in love, holy and faithful God.]

Intercessions (first part is different in these four Eucharistic Prayers):

EP for Various Needs I: The Church on the Way to Unity

EP for Various Needs II: God Guides the Church on the Way of Salvation

EP for Various Needs III: Jesus, Way to the Father

EP for Various Needs IV: Jesus, the Compassion of God

Priest: Renew by the light of the gospel the Church of N. [diocese/place]. Strengthen the bonds of unity between the faithful and their pastors, that together with {name of the Presiding Bishop} our Presiding Bishop, for {name(s) of the auxiliary bishop(s)} our auxiliary bishop(s), [for the Bishops of Rome and Constantinople,] and the whole college of bishops, your people may stand forth in a world torn by strife and discord as a sign of oneness and peace.