‘PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION’.
The desire to express verbally the effects of the Eucharist gave rise the presidential prayer after the communion. First appearing in the fifth century, and arranged in the manner of the opening prayer, it was called the “prayer at the conclusion” since it ended the Eucharistic celebration. It was also known as the Prayer after Communion or the Post-Communion.
Just as the number of collects multiplied during the Middle Ages, so a corresponding series of post-communion commemorations were prayed at most celebrations.
Today only one prayer, known as the prayer after communion serves to conclude the communion rite.
In this prayer, the priest petitions for the effects of the mystery just celebrated and by their acclamation, Amen, we, as the congregation, make the prayer our own. Then standing at the altar or at the presidential chair and facing the congregation, the priest says with hand outstretched: ‘Let us pray’. There is then a brief silence then he recites the prayer.
The prayer after communion is not a prayer of thanksgiving, since this is the nature of the Eucharistic prayer. It is a prayer asking for the spiritual effects or fruits of the Eucharist.
There is no need for a verbal direction to stand up because it is inherent in the opening invitation to prayer. When the priest says: ‘Let us pray’ with the gesture of arms outstretched, it indicates that he is greeting us in the name of Christ.
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