3. ‘Memorial Acclamations after the Consecration’
Straight after the Consecration, the priest invites us as he says:
‘Let us proclaim the mystery of Faith’.
If a deacon is present, he invites us with these words instead. This
phrase was used in the oldest manuscripts of the Roman Canon, but now
since Vatican 11, this phrase has been transferred from the words of
institution to the invitation calling forth our acclamation. Its
meaning is clarified by our response. The mystery of faith is the
Pascal mystery amongst us, the mystery of Christ dying, rising, and
present among his people. We support one another’s faith in the Pascal
mystery, and the acclamation is properly a memorial of the Lord’s
suffering and glorification, with an expression of faith in his coming.
Whereas
the Latin had only three acclamatory formalae, the English versions
present 2 translations of the first Latin acclamation. With the
exception of the first, all four English options remain faithful to the
Latin by being addressed to Christ. Options one and two are based on a
formula borrowed from the Syrian rite, and it recalls the death,
resurrection and Second Coming of Christ. The third option almost word
by word echoes 1 Corinthians 11:26. Option four is the only acclamation
that does not mention the final coming of Christ.
The
memorial acclamation not only helps sustain our attention from the end
of the Holy, Holy (Sanctus) to the Great Amen, but also is a
manifestation of our active participation in the Eucharistic Prayer.
Sharing in the Eucharist by virtue of our baptismal priesthood, we
express and affirm belief that the whole mystery of the Risen Christ is
present and active in the celebration of the Mass.
No comments:
Post a Comment