Stretching back to the beginning of this series, I wrote that the first act of the Mass is the gathering of the Body of Christ, the Church on Sunday and at other times, as well. I wrote:
"Our life in Christ is not meant to be lived in isolation from others. That’s why Jesus gave us his Church. The whole Church is supposed to be visible on Sunday. We can’t make the Church visible by ourselves or alone; thus the whole Church is called to worship on Sunday
"God calls us together on Sunday to give witness that we are saved and called to be God’s family together, to be God’s People, to be the Church of Christ, the community of disciples. We cannot give witness to this alone, but we do it by gathering together on Sunday. Then we worship together, which is our higher purpose in life." (CITATION)
Last week I wrote about the Prayer for Unity in every Eucharistic Prayer. The Church gathers and is made visible in a given place, and we pray that through our union with Christ’s Sacrifice and receiving his Body and Blood we may become truly one as Christ’s Body the Church.
What follows as a result of this Prayer for Unity are Intercessions for the Church. If we are united to one another, then we show our concern and care for the members of the Church, first through prayer. As Catechism 1354 teaches us:
"In the intercessions, the Church indicates that the Eucharist is celebrated in communion with the whole Church in heaven and on earth, the living and the dead, and in communion with the pastors of the Church, the Pope, the diocesan bishop, his presbyterium [body of priests] and his deacons, and all the bishops of the whole world together with their Churches."
These Intercessions should not be confused with the General Intercessions or Prayer of the Faithful (See previous entry HERE) which occur after the Liturgy of the Word (following the Creed on Sunday). Those Intercessions can be and are very specific in what is petitioned while following a general pattern for what should be prayed. They are part of and a response of the Liturgy of the Word. They are opened and closed by the Priest (or presiding Bishop), but the petitions are prayed by a Deacon or a member of the laity.
The Intercessions of the Eucharistic Prayer itself are much more global. They are usually not very specific except to mention various members of the Church. As part of the Eucharistic Prayer they are prayed by the Priest in the name of the entire Church.
For whom do we pray in these Eucharistic Intercessions? As the Catechism indicates we pray with the Church in heaven (with the Intercessions of the Saints) and on the Church on earth. We pray for the living and the dead (especially those in Purgatory being purified for heaven. For a lengthy reflection on Purgatory see HERE). We also pray for the ordained and the lay members of the Church on earth. And usually there is a prayer for all people, even those not formally part of the Church.
Let us look at an example of these Intercessions. Eucharistic Prayer III, used the majority of the time for Sunday Mass, prays:
"May he make of us an eternal offering to you,
so that we may obtain an inheritance with your elect,
especially with the most blessed Virgin Mary, Mother of God,
with Blessed Joseph her spouse,
with your blessed Apostles and glorious Martyrs
(with Saint N.: the Saint of the day or Patron Saint) and with all the Saints,
on whose constant intercession in your presence we rely for unfailing help.
"May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord,
advance the peace and salvation of all the world.
Be pleased to confirm in faith and charity your pilgrim Church on earth,
with your servant N. our Pope and N. our Bishop,
the Order of Bishops, all the clergy, and the entire people you have gained for your own.
Listen graciously to the prayers of this family, whom you have summoned before you:
in your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children
scattered throughout the world.
"To our departed brothers and sisters
and to all who were pleasing to you at their passing from this life,
give kind admittance to your kingdom.
There we hope to enjoy for ever the fullness of your glory
through Christ our Lord through whom you bestow on the world all that is good."
This set of Intercessions is particularly exemplary in its rich content. We see the Communion of Saints mentioned. (Pope Francis added the mention of the spouse of the Virgin Mary, blessed Joseph) The Intercession of the Saints is mentioned.
Notice that the advance of "the peace and salvation of all the world" is asked of God. The "pilgrim Church on earth" is mentioned, with the obligatory prayer for the Pope and the Bishop, as well as for the clergy (Priests and Deacons). A beautiful prayer in Eucharistic Prayer III asks the merciful Father "to gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world."
Finally in this Eucharistic Prayer we pray for our departed brothers and sisters to enter the kingdom of God (inferred to be in heaven).
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| Christ Intercedes: Note in this image he is dressed as a Priest and has his hands lifted in prayer like a Priest at Mass |
As the Catechism teaches "The whole Church is united with the offering and intercession of Christ." (#1369) As our High Priest "he is able for all time to save those who approach God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them." (Hebrews 7:25) The Church, as the Body of Christ is united to Christ our Head and Priest to intercede in the Mass.
Next Week: The Great Doxology.
