Junior Rasmussen
The Eucharistic Prayer is the central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in a wedding ceremony. It involves a prayer of epiclesis, asking God to send the Holy Spirit and transform the bread and wine into the presence of Christ. The prayer then progresses into the institution narrative, commemorating the night when Jesus expressed his desire to be with his disciples in the Eucharistic elements and instructed them to Do this in memory of me. The Memorial Acclamation is then proclaimed by the congregation, recalling Christ's death and resurrection. The latter part of the Eucharistic Prayer continues to remember Christ's sacrifice and calls to mind all those who are praying, both the living and the deceased. During a wedding ceremony, a short prayer for the married couple is often inserted into the middle of the Eucharistic Prayer, emphasising their central role and seeking God's blessing upon them. The Nuptial Blessing follows the Eucharistic Prayer, replacing the prayer Deliver us, Lord, from every evil. This solemn blessing asks God to pour out his grace on the newly married couple and unite them in love.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Prayer type | Eucharistic Prayer |
| Purpose | Central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist |
| Components | Sanctus, Prayer of Epiclesis, Institution Narrative, Memorial Acclamation |
| Theme | God's presence in the Eucharist; unity of the couple in Christ |
| Variations | Eucharistic Prayer I, II, or III; Nuptial Blessing; Prayer Over the Gifts |
| Participants | Priest, Couple, Congregation |
| Actions | Singing/speaking responses, kneeling, extending hands, communion |
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What You'll Learn
The Sanctus and prayer of epiclesis
The Sanctus is a part of the Eucharistic prayer for a wedding, which is the central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After the Sanctus, there is a prayer of epiclesis, an ancient form of prayer asking God to send the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the presence of Christ in the midst of the gathered assembly.
The word epiclesis (from the Greek epi, “near,” and klesis, “calling”) means an invocation, the calling of a name, or a petition to “come” upon or into, in answer to an appeal. In the Eucharist, the part of the prayer that bears the term has historically been viewed both as a blessing and consecration of the elements of bread and wine. In the Greek Septuagint Old Testament books regarded as canonical by Protestants, there are no occurrences of the word. However, there are two instances of epiclesis being used in reference to an invocation of God in 2 Maccabees. The final book of the Bible concludes with an epiclesis of sorts, though addressed not to the Holy Spirit, but to Jesus Christ.
In the Catholic Church, the Words of Institution are considered to be the moment of Transubstantiation (when, according to religious tradition, the Eucharistic elements would change from bread and wine into the actual Body and Blood of Christ). The Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches that the Epiclesis ("invocation upon") is the intercession in which the priest begs the Father to send the Holy Spirit so that the offerings may become the body and blood of Christ, and that the faithful who receive them may become a living offering to God.
In the 20th century, when Western Rite Orthodox parishes were established, their liturgies were derived from Catholic Latin liturgical rites and the Anglican Book of Common Prayer. These liturgies saw a "stronger" Epiclesis inserted to align them with the Byzantine liturgy. In the Liturgy of St. Cyril (or Egyptian Liturgy of St. Mark), the structure is usually as follows: Epiclesis I—Institution Narrative—Anamnesis—Epiclesis II. The epiclesis of these anaphora are seen as consecratory.
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Institution narrative
The Institution Narrative is a part of the Eucharistic Prayer for a wedding, which is the central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After the Sanctus, there is a prayer of epiclesis—an ancient form of prayer asking God to send the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the presence of Christ. The prayer then moves into the Institution Narrative, which recounts the Last Supper, the night when Jesus first expressed his desire to be with his followers in the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine.
The Institution Narrative narrates Jesus' institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper, as written in 1 Cor 11:23-26 and the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. The wording varies slightly in different Eucharistic prayers, but the core elements remain the same. Jesus gave thanks to God, broke the bread, and gave it to his disciples, saying, "Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me." After supper, he took the cup of wine, gave thanks, shared it with his disciples, and said, "Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me."
The Institution Narrative also includes brief statements of context concerning the institution of the Eucharist at the Last Supper. For example, Prayer A mentions that the Last Supper took place on the night Jesus was betrayed and handed over to suffering and death. The entire congregation then proclaims the Memorial Acclamation, recalling Christ's death and resurrection.
The Institution Narrative is a powerful reminder of Christ's sacrifice and his presence in the Eucharist. It is a moment of consecration, where the bread and wine are transformed into Christ's body and blood, and we are invited to share in this sacred meal in remembrance of him.
"Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offering made on the occasion of this sealing of the sacred bond of Marriage, and, just as your goodness is its origin, may your providence guide its course. Through Christ our Lord."
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Memorial Acclamation
The Memorial Acclamation is a significant element of the Eucharistic Prayer, which is the central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in a wedding ceremony. It is an acclamation recited or sung by the congregation in response to the priest's prayer, also known as the Anamnesis. This two-part structure distinguishes the Memorial Acclamation from other segments of the Institution Narrative, such as the Epiclesis.
The Memorial Acclamation holds a special place in various liturgical traditions, including Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Anglican, and Methodist liturgies. It draws its significance from the Last Supper, where Jesus instructed his disciples to "Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me" (1 Corinthians 11:25). This memorial aspect is further reinforced by the pattern of anamnesis, which focuses on the Lord's death, resurrection, and ascension, along with the Second Coming.
The specific content of the Memorial Acclamation can vary, but it typically includes a reference to the death and resurrection of Christ. For example, in the Syriac form of the liturgy, the priest celebrant says, "Do in remembrance of Me when you partake of this sacrament, commemorating My death and My resurrection until I come," to which the congregation responds, "Your death, our Lord, we commemorate, Your resurrection we confess, and Your second coming we wait for. May Your mercy be upon us all."
The Byzantine form of the Liturgy of St. James offers another variation: "This do in remembrance of me; for as often as ye eat this bread and drink this cup, ye do show forth the Lord's death and confess His resurrection till He comes." The people respond with, "We show forth Thy death, O Lord, and confess Thy resurrection." These responses are not mere repetitions but powerful affirmations of faith, uniting the congregation in remembrance and anticipation.
The Memorial Acclamation is more than just a ritualistic utterance; it is a collective expression of faith and a testament to the enduring significance of Christ's sacrifice. It serves as a reminder that the Eucharist is not just a symbolic act but a transformative experience, inviting the Holy Spirit to descend and unite the faithful with Christ's presence through the bread and wine. This transformative power extends beyond the wedding ceremony, as the Eucharistic Prayer calls to mind all those who pray this prayer, both the living and the departed.
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Nuptial blessing
The Nuptial Blessing is a beautiful moment in a Catholic wedding ceremony. It takes place after the couple has exchanged their consent and rings, becoming husband and wife. The celebrant (a priest or deacon) will then pray for the married couple, asking God to bestow upon them special graces, including fidelity, the blessing of children, and a long life together.
There are three versions of the Nuptial Blessing prayer to choose from in the Order of Celebrating Matrimony. The prayer is filled with Scriptural allusions, including references to the book of Genesis and its description of how God created the universe and brought together the first man and woman to be "one flesh".
- "O God, by whom woman is joined to man, and the companionship they had in the beginning is endowed with the one blessing not forfeited by original sin nor washed away by the flood. Look now with favour on these your servants, joined together in Marriage, who ask to be strengthened by your blessing. Send down on them the grace of the Holy Spirit and pour your love into their hearts, that they may remain faithful in the Marriage covenant."
- "Dear brothers and sisters, let us humbly pray to the Lord that on these his servants, now married in Christ, he may mercifully pour out the blessing of his grace and make of one heart in love (by the Sacrament of Christ's Body and Blood) those he has joined by a holy covenant."
- "Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offering made on the occasion of this sealing of the sacred bond of Marriage, and, just as your goodness is its origin, may your providence guide its course. Through Christ our Lord."
- "O God, who consecrated the bond of Marriage by so great a mystery that in the wedding covenant you foreshadow the Sacrament of Christ and his Church, grant, we pray, to these your servants, that what they receive in faith they may live out in deeds. Through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever."
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Prayer over the gifts
The Eucharistic Prayer is the central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist in a wedding ceremony. It is a prayer of epiclesis, an ancient form of prayer asking God to send the Holy Spirit and transform the bread and wine into the presence of Christ.
The "Prayer Over the Gifts" is a part of the Eucharistic Prayer, where the couple offers their lives and love to God and asks for His blessing. Here are some examples of prayers that can be used for this part of the wedding ceremony:
First Option
"Receive, we pray, O Lord, the offering made on the occasion of this sealing of the sacred bond of Marriage, and, just as your goodness is its origin, may your providence guide its course. Through Christ, our Lord."
Second Option
"Receive in your kindness, Lord, the offerings we bring in gladness before you, and in your fatherly love watch over those you have joined in a sacramental covenant. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."
Third Option
"Show favour to our supplications, O Lord, and receive with a kindly countenance the oblations we offer for these your servants, joined now in a holy covenant, that through these mysteries they may be strengthened in love for one another and for you. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen."
These prayers highlight the couple's commitment to each other and their desire to unite their lives and love with God's grace. The "Prayer Over the Gifts" is a beautiful way to express their devotion and seek God's blessing as they embark on their married life together.
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Frequently asked questions
The Liturgy of the Eucharist celebrates God’s presence with us in the Eucharist. Catholics believe that God desires to be with us in the gifts of bread and wine, a desire first expressed by Jesus at the Last Supper. Sharing the one bread and one cup binds us to one another and to Jesus Christ.
The Eucharistic Prayer for a wedding is the central prayer of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. After the Sanctus, there is a prayer of epiclesis—an ancient form of prayer asking God to send the Holy Spirit to transform the bread and wine into the presence of Christ. The prayer then moves into the institution narrative, remembering the night when Jesus first expressed his desire to be with us in the Eucharistic elements of bread and wine. The congregation then proclaims the Memorial Acclamation, recalling Christ’s death and resurrection.
The Nuptial Blessing will take place after the Eucharistic prayer, before the Communion Rite begins. The presiding priest will play an important role during the distribution of Communion, and may require additional Eucharistic ministers to help.
