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A Walk through the New Mass
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| After the Consecration and Memorial Acclamation, the Eucharistic Prayer continues in general intercession. Once again the example we give is from the second Eucharistic Prayer. |
| Former: |
New: |
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the hope of rising again;
bring them and all the departed
into the light of your presence |
Remember also our brothers and sisters
who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection,
and all who have died in your mercy:
welcome them into the light of your face. |
The new phrase ‘the hope of the resurrection’ is intended to be understood as the hope that arises from the Resurrection of Christ, as well as our hope that we shall rise. See Romans 6:5.
The phrase ‘died in your mercy’ might be taken as meaning those who have died hoping in God’s mercy. But it can also be taken as all who have died surrounded by God’s mercy – which is closer to the former wording of ‘all the departed’.
The rather startling unfamiliar words ‘into the light of your face’ are taken from Psalm 4:6 and Psalm 44.3 (which continues with the wonderful words ‘because you loved them’), and from the familiar blessing in Numbers 6:24-25.
The prayer continues: |
Have mercy on us all;
make us worthy to share eternal life
with Mary, the virgin mother of God,
with the apostles,
and with all the saints who have done your will
throughout the ages.
May we praise you in union with them,
and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ |
Have mercy on us all, we pray,
That with the blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with the blessed Apostles
and with all the Saints who have pleased you throughout the ages,
we may merit to be co-heirs to eternal life,
and may praise and glorify you
through your Son, Jesus Christ. |
It is notable that the title ‘Blessed’ has been restored to Our Lady, both here and in many other instances, and in this case to the Apostles also. St Paul’s term ‘co-heirs’, which is used in Romans 8:17 and implied in Ephesians 3:6 indicates that we share Christ’s merit: that we are beneficiaries, not earners, of salvation.
Lastly, ‘ bring her to the fullness of charity’ comes from Latin again previously omitted. It is difficult to translate; another version would be: ‘that you would perfect her in charity’.
Based mainly on the DVD ‘Become One Body, One Spirit, in Christ’.
©2010, International Commission on English in the Liturgy Corporation.
All rights reserved. Thanks also to Fr Paul Turner of Maysville, Missouri. |
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