ABOUT THE MASS SERIES VOL 2.
‘Second Invocation of the Spirit and Intercessions’.
About the Mass series Vol 2.
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| About the Mass series Vol 2. |
During the Eucharistic Prayers, there
is a second invocation of the Spirit followed by the intercessions of all its
members both living and dead. The Jewish blessing prayer over the cup
included various formulae requesting God to show mercy upon the people of
Israel, to send Elijah and the Messiah, and to restore the house of
David. It is natural therefore that the Eucharistic prayer came to
include intercessions for various classes of people. Yet these are not part of
the earliest tradition of the prayer; they were added only once the main
structural elements were in place, since they appear at different places in
various liturgical traditions.
At Antioch these occurred at the end
of the prayer, while at Alexandria they were placed before the institution
narrative. In Eucharistic Prayer No 1 (the Roman Canon) there is a
preliminary block of intercessions, which mention the Church, the pope, the
local bishop, certain members of the living, and those assembled. These
are followed by a list of the apostles and martyrs especially venerated in
Rome. Toward the end of the prayer occurs a second set of intercessory
prayers, which remember the dead and invoke the martyrs and saints. The structure
of the intercessions in Eucharistic prayer No 1 remains unchanged, although the
lists of the saints may be shortened.
In the other Eucharistic Prayers they follow the Antiochene tradition and place
all the intercessions toward the end of the prayer, and links them with the
second invocation of the Spirit. The congregation first requests the
fruits of the Eucharist and then prays for more universal intentions.
Although each Eucharistic prayer varies, there is always the supplication for
the Church and its pastors, for the immediate community and for the dead.
The intercessions make it clear that
the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the entire Church of heaven and
earth. The offering is made for the Church and all its members, living and
dead, who are called to share in the salvation and redemption purchased by
Christ’s body and blood.
As we attend Mass, let us pray in earnest
for these intentions of the universal church, both living and dead.
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