This webpage is not intended for presiders to use while celebrating the Liturgy, but is designed for comparative study of the Eucharistic Prayers. In order to see both the similarity in structure and the differences in wording and length of the various prayers, they are printed in parallel columns below. Texts and responses sung or spoken by all the people are indicated in bold type. The "words of institution" are printed in dark red.
"The Latin version of this prayer consists of one prayer with four thematic prefaces and corresponding sets of intercessions. For ease of use, the prayer has been printed as four separate prayers..." (Foreward). Formerly known as the "Swiss Synod Eucharistic Prayer" (in use since 1974), the Latin version of the Eucharistic Prayer for Masses for Various Needs and Occasions was published in 1991, and the English translation formally approved in 1995.
Priest: The Lord be with you. People: And with your spirit.
Priest: Lift up your hearts. People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest: Let us give thanks to the Lord, our God. People: It is right and just.
| EP for Various Needs I: The Church on the Path of Unity |
EP for Various Needs II: God Guides His Church along the Way of Salvation | EP for Various Needs III: Jesus, the Way to the Father |
EP for Various Needs IV: Jesus, Who Went About Doing Good |
It is truly right and just to give you thanks and raise to you a hymn of glory and praise, O Lord, Father of infinite goodness. For by the word of your Son’s Gospel you have brought together one Church from every people, tongue, and nation, and, having filled her with life by the power of your Spirit, you never cease through her to gather the whole human race into one. Manifesting the covenant of your love, she dispenses without ceasing the blessed hope of your Kingdom and shines bright as the sign of your faithfulness, which in Christ Jesus our Lord you promised would last for eternity. And so, with all the Powers of heaven, we worship you constantly on earth, while, with all the Church, as one voice we acclaim: |
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Lord, holy Father, creator of the world and source of all life. For you never forsake the works of your wisdom, but by your providence are even now at work in our midst. With mighty hand and outstretched arm you led your people Israel through the desert. Now, as your Church makes her pilgrim journey in the world, you always accompany her by the power of the Holy Spirit and lead her along the paths of time to the eternal joy of your Kingdom, through Christ our Lord. And so, with the Angels and Saints, we, too, sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim: |
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, holy Father, Lord of heaven and earth, through Christ our Lord. For by your Word you created the world and you govern all things in harmony. You gave us the same Word made flesh as Mediator, and he has spoken your words to us and called us to follow him. He is the way that leads us to you, the truth that sets us free, the life that fills us with gladness. Through your Son you gather men and women, whom you made for the glory of your name, into one family, redeemed by the Blood of his Cross and signed with the seal of the Spirit. Therefore now and for ages unending, with all the Angels, we proclaim your glory, as in joyful celebration we acclaim: |
It is truly right and just, our duty and our salvation, always and everywhere to give you thanks, Father of mercies and faithful God. For you have given us Jesus Christ, your Son, as our Lord and Redeemer. He always showed compassion for children and for the poor, for the sick and for sinners, and he became a neighbor to the oppressed and the afflicted. By word and deed he announced to the world that you are our Father and that you care for all your sons and daughters. And so, with all the Angels and Saints, we exalt and bless your name and sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim: |
All: Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.
Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the highest.
Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.
Hosanna in the highest.
Priest: You are indeed Holy and to be glorified, O God, who love the human race and who always walk with us on the journey of life. Blessed indeed is your Son, present in our midst when we are gathered by his love, and when, as once for the disciples, so now for us, he opens the Scriptures and breaks the bread.
Therefore, Father most merciful, we ask that you send forth your Holy Spirit to sanctify these gifts of bread and wine, that they may become for us the Body and + Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.
On the day before he was to suffer, on the night of the Last Supper, he took bread and said the blessing, broke the bread and gave it to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the chalice, gave you thanks and gave the chalice to his disciples, saying:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
[Note: While the "words of institution" over the bread and wine are identical, the introductory words are slightly different in all the Eucharistic prayers. Yet they all include the same four basic actions with the bread (taking, thanking/blessing, breaking, giving) and the same three basic actions with the cup (taking, thanking/blessing, giving). The verbal variation between "giving thanks" and "said the blessing" is due to the use of two very similar words in the various Gospel accounts of Jesus' Last Supper.]
Priest: The mystery of faith:
People: A - We proclaim your Death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.
or B - When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.
or C - Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection you have set us free.
Priest: Therefore, holy Father, as we celebrate the memorial of Christ your Son, our Savior, whom you led through his Passion and Death on the Cross to the glory of the Resurrection, and whom you have seated at your right hand, we proclaim the work of your love until he comes again and we offer you the Bread of life and the Chalice of blessing.
Look with favor on the oblation of your Church, in which we show forth the paschal Sacrifice of Christ that has been handed on to us, and grant that, by the power of the Spirit of your love, we may be counted now and until the day of eternity among the members of your Son, in whose Body and Blood we have communion.
| EP for Various Needs I: The Church on the Path of Unity |
EP for Various Needs II: God Guides His Church along the Way of Salvation | EP for Various Needs III: Jesus, the Way to the Father |
EP for Various Needs IV: Jesus, Who Went About Doing Good |
Lord, renew your Church (which is in N.) by the light of the Gospel. Strengthen the bond of unity between the faithful and the pastors of your people, together with N. our Pope, N. our Bishop, and the whole Order of Bishops, that in a world torn by strife your people may shine forth as a prophetic sign of unity and concord. |
And so, having called us to your table, Lord, confirm us in unity, so that, together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop, with all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and your entire people, as we walk your ways with faith and hope, we may strive to bring joy and trust into the world. |
By our partaking of this mystery, almighty Father, give us life through your Spirit, grant that we may be conformed to the image of your Son, and confirm us in the bond of communion, together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop, with all other Bishops, with Priests and Deacons, and with your entire people. Grant that all the faithful of the Church, looking into the signs of the times by the light of faith, may constantly devote themselves to the service of the Gospel. Keep us attentive to the needs of all that, sharing their grief and pain, their joy and hope, we may faithfully bring them the good news of salvation and go forward with them along the way of your Kingdom. |
Bring your Church, O Lord, to perfect faith and charity, together with N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,with all Bishops, Priests and Deacons, and the entire people you have made your own. Open our eyes to the needs of our brothers and sisters; inspire in us words and actions to comfort those who labor and are burdened. Make us serve them truly, after the example of Christ and at his command. And may your Church stand as a living witness to truth and freedom, to peace and justice, that all people may be raised up to a new hope. |
Priest: Remember our brothers and sisters (N. and N.), who have fallen asleep in the peace of your Christ, and all the dead, whose faith you alone have known. Admit them to rejoice in the light of your face, and in the resurrection give them the fullness of life.
Grant also to us, when our earthly pilgrimage is done, that we may come to an eternal dwelling place and live with you for ever; there, in communion with the Blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God, with the Apostles and Martyrs, (with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron) and with all the Saints, we shall praise and exalt you through Jesus Christ, your Son.
Priest: Through him, and with him, and in him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honor is yours, for ever and ever.
People: Amen. [may be sung more than once]
To see both the similarity in structure and the differences in wording and length of these prayers, they are printed in parallel columns above. Texts and responses sung or spoken by all the people are indicated in bold type. The "words of institution" are printed in dark red. Some of the texts spoken by the presider are optional for certain Masses or liturgical seasons, as indicated in small italics above.
See also these related pages:
Excerpts from the English translation of The Roman Missal © 2010, International Committee on English in the Liturgy, Inc. All rights reserved.