Please note: the second video contains the Offertory and Eucharistic Prayer
View "Behind the Sanctuary" to see what is going on
behind the scenes during the Eucharistic Prayer
Then the Priest begin the Eucharistic Prayer. In accordance with the rubrics (cf. no. 365), he selects a Eucharistic Prayer from those found in the Roman Missal or approved by the Apostolic See.
How many Eucharistic Prayers are there? Four main Eucharistic Prayers. Eucharistic Prayer I is the only Eucharistic Prayer found in both the Ordinary and Extraordinary Form of the Mass. There are other prayers, Masses for Various Needs and Occasions.
When should those prayers be used? (GIRM 369) In view of the rather broad possibilities of choice among the readings and orations, it is desirable that Masses for Various Needs and Occasions be used in moderation, that is, when truly required.
Can other people other than the Priest join in any part of the Eucharistic Prayer? By its very nature, the Eucharistic Prayer requires that only the Priest say it, in virtue of his Ordination.
What can the people do during the Eucharistic Prayer? The people, for their part, should associate themselves with the Priest in faith and in silence, as well as by means of their interventions as prescribed in the course of the Eucharistic Prayer: namely, the responses in the Preface dialogue, the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy), the acclamation after the Consecration, the acclamation Amen after the concluding doxology, as well as other acclamations approved by the Conference of Bishops with the recognitio of the Holy See.
What should the posture of the people be at this time? In the dioceses of the United States of America, they should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by ill health, or for reasons of lack of space, of the large number of people present, or for another reasonable cause. However, those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the Priest genuflects after the Consecration. The faithful kneel after the Agnus Dei (Lamb of God) unless the Diocesan Bishop determines otherwise. For the sake of uniformity in gestures and bodily postures during one and the same celebration, the faithful should follow the instructions which the Deacon, a lay minister, or the Priest gives, according to what is laid down in the Missal.
Should the Priest sing or say the Eucharistic Prayer and what parts? It is most appropriate that the Priest sing those parts of the Eucharistic Prayer for which musical notation is provided.
What are the Priests gestures during the Eucharistic Prayer and what are the gestures of the people? (GIRM 148 & 149) As he begins the Eucharistic Prayer, the Priest extends his hands and sings or says, The Lord be with you. The people reply, And with your spirit. As he continues, saying, Lift up your hearts, he raises his hands. The people reply, We lift them up to the Lord. Then the Priest, with hands extended, adds, Let us give thanks to the Lord our God, and the people reply, It is right and just. After this, the Priest, with hands extended, continues the Preface. At its conclusion, he joins his hands and, together with all those present, sings or says aloud the Sanctus (Holy, Holy, Holy) (cf. no. 79 b).
Why are there directions on what the Priest’s gestures should be, but not directions on what the people’s gestures should be?
When are bells rung and why? When should incense be used during the Eucharistic Prayer?(GIRM 150&151) A little before the Consecration, if appropriate, a minister rings a small bell as a signal to the faithful. The minister also rings the small bell at each elevation by the Priest, according to local custom. If incense is being used, when the host and the chalice are shown to the people after the Consecration, a minister incenses them.
What happens after Consecration? (GIRM 151). After the Consecration when the Priest has said, The mystery of faith, the people pronounce the acclamation, using one of the prescribed formulas. At the end of the Eucharistic Prayer, the Priest takes the paten with the host and the chalice and elevates them both while pronouncing alone the doxology Through him. At the end the people acclaim, Amen. After this, the Priest places the paten and the chalice on the corporal.
When and how do we pray the Lord’s Prayer? (GIRM 152&153) After the Eucharistic Prayer is concluded, the Priest, with hands joined, says alone the introduction to the Lord’s Prayer, and then with hands extended, he pronounces the prayer together with the people. After the Lord’s Prayer is concluded, the Priest, with hands extended, says alone the embolism Libera nos (Deliver us, Lord). At the end, the people acclaim, For the kingdom. (GIRM 81) The Our Father; The invitation, the Prayer itself, the embolism, and the doxology by which the people conclude these things are sung or are said aloud.
When and how do we give the Sign of Peace? Then the Priest, with hands extended, says aloud the prayer Domine Iesu Christe, qui dixisti (Lord Jesus Christ, who said to your Apostles) and when it is concluded, extending and then joining his hands, he announces the greeting of peace, facing the peopleand saying, The peace of the Lord be with you always. The people reply, And with your spirit.
Do we have to give the Sign of Peace to each other at Mass? After this, if appropriate, the Priest adds, Let us offer each other the sign of peace.
Where should the Priest be during the Sign of Peace? The Priest may give the Sign of Peace to the ministers but always remains within the sanctuary, so that the celebration is not disrupted. In the Dioceses of the United States of America, for a good reason, on special occasions (for example, in the case of a funeral, a wedding, or when civic leaders are present), the Priest may offer the Sign of Peace to a small number of the faithful near the sanctuary. According to what is decided by the Conference of Bishops, all express to one another peace, communion, and charity.
What are the people supposed to say during the Sign of Peace? While the Sign of Peace is being given, it is permissible to say, The peace of the Lord be with you always, to which the reply is Amen. (GIRM 82) As for the actual sign of peace to be given, the manner is to be established by the Conferences of Bishops in accordance with the culture and customs of the peoples. However, it is appropriate that each person, in a sober manner, offer the sign of peace only to those who are nearest.