The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another

Transcription

1 PrayerS in the Presence of the Eucharist Resources for Adoration of the Blessed Sacram ent The Eucharist: Communion with Christ and with one another to be used during International Eucharistic Congress and for the Year of Faith

2

3 The celebration of the eucharist in the sacrifice of the Mass, moreover, is truly the origin and the goal of the worship which is shown to the eucharist outside Mass. Christ the Lord is offered in the sacrifice of the Mass when he becomes present sacramentally as the spiritual food of the faithful under the appearance of bread and wine. And, once the sacrifice is offered and while the eucharist is reserved in the churches and oratories, he is truly Emmanuel, God is wiht us. He is in our midst day and night; full of grace and truth, he dwells among us. In order to direct and to encourage devotion to the sacaement of the eucharist correctly, the eucharistic mystery must be considered in all its fullness, both in the celebration of the Mass and in the worship of the sacrament which is reserved after mass to extend the grace of the sacrifice. (Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass #2,4.) Adoration of Christ in this sacrament of love must also find expression in various forms of eucharistic devotion; personal prayer before the Blessed Sacrament, hours of adoration, periods of expostion, short, prolonged and annual. (Blessed Pope John Paul 11) The act of adoration outside Mass prolongs and intensifies all that takes place during the liturgical celebration itself. Indeed, Only in adoration can a profound and genuine reception mature. And it is precisely this personal encounter with the Lord that then strengthens the social mission contained in the eucharist, which seeks to break down not only the walls that separate the Lord and ourselves, but also and especially the walls that separate us from one another. (Pope Benedict XVI Sacramentum Caristatis 66)

4 PRAYER IN THE PRESENCE OF THE EUCHARIST Come adore this wondrous presence, bow to Christ the source of grace. Here is kept the ancient promise of God s earthly dwelling place. Sight is blind before God s glory, faith alone may see his face. Glory be to God the Father, praise to his co-equal Son, adoration to the Spirit, bond of love, in Godhead one. Blest be God by all creation joyously while ages run. (A translation of the last two verses of Pange Lingua) From the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians (11:23-26) This is what I received from the Lord and in turn pass on to you: that on the same night he was betrayed, the Lord Jesus took some bread and thanked God for it, and broke it, and he said, This is my body which is for you; do this as a memorial of me. In the same way he took the cup, after supper, and said, This cup is the new covenant of my blood. Whenever you drink it, do this as a memorial of me. Until the Lord comes, therefore, every time you eat this bread and drink this cup, you are proclaiming his death. The word of the Lord. Opening Prayer O God, who in this wonderful Sacrament have left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we pray, so to revere the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood that we may always experience in ourselves the fruits of your redemption. who lives and reigns with God the Father in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God for ever and ever. Amen. (Opening Prayer of the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ)

5 Prayer Lord our God, in this great sacrament we come into the presence of Jesus Christ, your Son, born of the Virgin Mary and crucified for our salvation. May we who declare our faith in this fountain of love and mercy drink from it the water of everlasting life. Through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Holy Communion and the Worship of the Eucharist Outside Mass # 224) How holy this feast in which Christ is our food; his passion is recalled, and we receive a pledge of the glory to come. (Translation of O Sacrum Convivium ) Body of Jesus, born of Mary, body bowed in agony, raised upon the cross and offered for us in sacrifice, body pierced and flowing with blood and water, come at the hour of our death as our living bread, the foretaste of eternal glory: come, Lord Jesus, loving gracious Son of Mary.

6 The Divine Praises Blessed be God. Blessed be his holy name. Blessed be Jesus Christ, true God and true man. Blessed be the name of Jesus. Blessed be his most Sacred Heart. Blessed be his most Precious Blood. Blessed be Jesus in the most holy sacrament of the altar. Blessed be the Holy Spirit, the Paraclete. Blessed be the great Mother of God, Mary most holy. Blessed be her holy and Immaculate Conception. Blessed be her glorious Assumption. Blessed be the name of Mary, Virgin and Mother. Blessed be St Joseph, her spouse most chaste. Blessed be God in his angels and in his saints. Meditation Prayers Lord Jesus, you give us bread which is your body, you give us wine which is your blood, to feed and strengthen us on our way through life. Help us to appreciate this gift more clearly, and help us to live the new life you won for us through your saving death and resurrection.

7 EUCHARISTIC LITANY Jesus living in the Eucharist Revive us Jesus living in the Eucharist Sanctify us Jesus living in the Eucharist Console us Jesus living in the Eucharist Enlighten us Jesus living in the Eucharist Satisfy our hunger Jesus living in the Eucharist Quench our thirst Jesus living in the Eucharist Speak to us Jesus living in the Eucharist Help us Jesus living in the Eucharist Unite us Jesus living in the Eucharist Show us the Father Jesus living in the Eucharist Send us your Spirit Jesus living in the Eucharist Give us your love Jesus living in the Eucharist Bestow your peace on us Jesus living in the Eucharist Share your glory with us Jesus living in the Eucharist Reinforce our faith Jesus living in the Eucharist Teach us to pray Jesus living in the Eucharist Walk with us Jesus living in the Eucharist Renew your Church Jesus living in the Eucharist Mould us to be your witnesses Jesus living in the Eucharist Entrust us to your Mother Jesus living in the Eucharist Grant us your compassion Jesus living in the Eucharist Strengthen us to serve the poor Jesus living in the Eucharist Make us radiant with your presence Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world Forgive us, O Lord Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world - Hear us, O Lord Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world Have mercy on us, O Lord Jesus, Our Lord and Our God May we love and serve you always

8 Words of Inspiration and Hope Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have you present so that I do not forget you. You know how easily I abandon you. Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need your strength, that I may not fall so often. Stay with me, Lord, for you are my life and without you I am without fervour. Stay with me, Lord, for you are my light and without you I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me your will. Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear your voice and follow you. Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love you very much and always be in your company. Stay with me, Lord, if you wish me to be faithful to you. Stay with me, Lord, as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for you, a nest of Love. Stay with me, Jesus, for it is getting late and the day is coming to a close and life passes, death, judgment and eternity approaches. It is necessary to renew my strength, so that I will not stop along the way and for that, I need you. It is getting late and death approaches, I fear the darkness, the temptations, the dryness, the cross, the sorrows. O how I need you, my Jesus, in this night of exile! (St Pio of Pietrelcina)

9 HOLY HOUR THEOLOGICAL AND PASTORAL REFLECTIONS IN PREPARATION FOR THE 50 TH INTERNATIONAL EUCHARISTIC CONGRESS "In a world where there is so much noise, so much bewilderment, there is a need for silent adoration of Jesus concealed in the Host. Be assiduous in the prayer of adoration and teach it to the faithful. It is a source of comfort and light, particularly to those who are suffering."i heartily recommend to the Church s pastors and to the People of God the practice of Eucharistic Adoration, both individually and in community (Pope Benedict XVI February 2007, Sacramentum Caristatis 66) Part One (20 minutes) THE EUCHARIST: COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IN OUR NEIGHBOURS Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament & Hymn At the very beginning of Mass, Jesus, our high priest and presider of prayer, stands before the throne of grace, interceding on our behalf. Through the liturgical rite we are brought into a movement of love that reaches us in Christ Jesus, draws us in the Spirit toward the Father and so opens our eyes towards our sisters and brothers in the communion of faith. We are invited to discover each neighbour as a sister or brother with whom we are united because each one is a sister or brother for whom Jesus Christ died. (cf. 1 Cor 8:11) [TPRP, n.62] Prayers of Adoration Response: We adore you, O Christ O Christ, with all our sisters and brothers, we adore you in the name of the whole Church as we journey towards the Eucharistic Congress of 2012.R/ We adore you, O Christ, supreme Priest: by the offering of your body and blood, you set the world on fire. Inflame with love the hearts of all people and kindle in them the spirit of penance and renewal. R./ We adore you, Lord of the Last Supper and of our altars: in the Eucharist, you give yourself incessantly in love and you open our hearts to the love of our sisters and brothers. We thank you for the gifts of the our Church over the decades for the benefit of the whole Church. R./ Jesus, beloved Son of the Father, we praise you: in the Eucharist, you enable us to share the tenderness of your Heart and you bring us into communion with the

10 Father, with all our sisters and brothers. Bless, heal, and sustain all those who have suffered abuse, fear or exploitation at the hands of those you called to be perfect. R./ Jesus, the perfect Adorer, we praise you: you dwell in our midst to give to the Father, adorers in spirit and truth. Assure us of your presence among us. R./ Adoration in Silence Part Two (20 minutes) THE EUCHARIST: COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IN HIS WORD Luke 24: , Two of the disciples of Jesus were on their way to a village called Emmaus, seven miles from Jerusalem, and they were talking together about all that had happened. Now as they talked this over, Jesus himself came up and walked by their side; but something prevented them from recognising him Jesus said to them, 'You foolish men! So slow to believe the full message of the prophets! Was it not ordained that the Christ should suffer and so enter into his glory?' Then, starting with Moses and going through all the prophets, he explained to them the passages throughout the scriptures that were about himself. When they drew near to the village to which they were going, he made as if to go on; but they pressed him to stay with them. 'It is nearly evening' they said 'and the day is almost over.' So he went in to stay with them. Now while he was with them at table, he took the bread and said the blessing; then he broke it and handed it to them. And their eyes were opened and they recognised him; but he had vanished from their sight. Then they said to each other, 'Did not our hearts burn within us as he talked to us on the road and explained the scriptures to us?' The Word builds up communion, keeping us in a living communion with the witness of the Apostles that is handed on in Scripture, the Word helps us understand more deeply our baptismal identity: it is no longer I who live but Christ living in me (Gal 2:20) [TPRP, n./72] Prayers of Adoration Response: Love and glory to the Trinity, through the eucharistic heart of Jesus! Eucharistic Heart of Jesus, unite our life with yours so that it becomes a continuous praise of love to the glory of the Trinity. R/

11 O Eucharistic Christ, the Word made flesh, in you we know the Father through the power of the Spirit; we adore you and give you thanks. R./ O Eucharistic Christ, living Word of the Father and Bread of Life, you are the source of our Communion with the Father and with our sisters and brothers; we adore you and give you thanks. R./ O Eucharistic Christ, eternal Word, infinitely merciful, you enable us to be reconciled with God and with our sisters and brothers in the Church; we adore you and give you thanks. R./ Adoration in Silence Part Three (20 minutes) COMMUNION WITH CHRIST IN THE EUCHARIST Matthew 26: Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had said the blessing he broke it and gave it to the disciples. Take it and eat, he said, this is my body. Then he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he handed it to them saying, Drink from this, all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the covenant, poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. In the Eucharist, through the power of the Holy Spirit, the consecration of the gifts of bread and wine become for us the Body and Blood of Christ. The Spirit is also called upon by the faithful, for as the Body of Christ, they become the gift of communion bestowed upon them by God as they strive all together toward unity in faith and in the true knowledge of the Son of God. [TPRP, n 90] Adoration in Silence Prayers of Intercession Response: Keep us united in your love Lord Jesus, truly present in the Eucharist, you are the source of our communion with the Father, and with our brothers and sisters. We ask you: Keep us united in your love. R/ Keep us united in your love. Lord Jesus, through the Holy Spirit, you transform us into members of your Body and lead us into your Eucharistic sacrifice. We ask you: transform every one of us into a living offering to the glory of the Father. R./

12 Lord Jesus, in your immense love, you continually offer yourself in the Eucharist, for the glory of God and the redemption of the world. We ask you: that your reign of love may prevail in the whole world, especially where there is conflict, division and war. R./ Lord Jesus, teach us to adore the Father in the Holy Spirit, and in the search for truth in our life, as we abide by your will, and love our sisters and brothers as you love them. We ask you: teach us to adore in spirit and truth. R./ Adoration in Silence Hymn of Choice International Eucharistic Congress Prayer (cf. back page) Prayer May faith light our way, Lord, and may love sustain us, so that alongside our sisters and brothers, we may adore in spirit and truth the One we acknowledge in this sacrament as our Lord and our God. He who reigns with you forever and ever. Amen. Benediction Copies of this booklet are available on the Middlesbrough Liturgy website: to be used before, during and after the International Eucharistic Congress for the Year of Faith This booklet was prepared by the Middlesbrough Diocesan Liturgy Department Grateful thanks to Fr Peter Kravos, the Leeds diocesan delegate to the Congress for his contribution

13

14 International Eucharistic Congress Prayer 2012 Lord Jesus, you were sent by the Father to gather together those who are scattered. You came among us doing good and bringing healing, announcing the Word of salvation and giving the bread which lasts for ever. Be our companion on life s pilgrim way. May your Holy Spirit inflame our hearts, enliven our hope and open our minds, so that together with our sisters and brothers in faith, we may recognise you in the Scriptues and in the breaking of bread. May your Holy Spirit transform us into one body and lead us to walk humbly on the earth in justice and love, as witnesses of your Resurrection. In communion with Mary, whom you gave to us as our Mother at the foot of the Cross, through you may all praise, honour and blessing be to the Father in the Holy Spirit and in the Church, now and forever, Amen.