Introduction: The prayers of the blessing of the elements begin with the Institution Narrative, the story of the first Eucharist and how the Lord instituted it. The tradition underlying this is certainly older than the Gospels for many reasons. First, a fully developed Institution Narrative exists in the liturgy of Saint Mark. It is a …
Introduction: The Liturgy of the Faithful follows the same steps the Lord followed in the Last Supper. By reviewing the Synoptic Gospels’ account of the Last Supper, as well as the account given by Saint Paul in 1Cor:15, we find out that the Lord: 1. Gave Thanks, 2. Blessed, 3. Broke, 4. Gave to the …
“Offer in order, stand in trembling, look towards the East.” With this exhortation the deacon signalled the people (in older times) to bring forward their offerings to the altar. But now things have changed, the offering of the bread and wine has been moved to the beginning of the Liturgy, and the deacons, rather than …
The prayer of reconciliation made its appearance in the Liturgy around the sixth century. Earlier documents show the Kiss of Peace following immediately after the Liturgy of the Catechumens. [24] The offering of the gifts would then start as soon as the Catechumens leave. We first hear about a “prayer before the Kiss of Peace” …
THE LITURGY OF THE CATECHUMENS The teaching part of the Liturgy was called the Liturgy of the Catechumens, because those candidates for baptism (catechumens) were allowed to attend it. It concluded with the kiss of peace, which not only was a sign of reconciliation among all, but also gave the faithful “Godparents” a chance to …
