What Does “Eucharistic Prayer” Mean in the Bible?
The central prayer of the Mass. The priest gives thanks to God and, with the words of Jesus, consecrates the bread and wine.
It can mean
- Its parts: the thanksgiving (the Preface), the “Holy, Holy, Holy” and the prayer to the Holy Spirit. Then the words of Jesus at the Last Supper, the memorial and the offering. At the end, the intercessions and the praise.
- It is the center: the Church calls it the “center and high point” of the whole Mass.
Today
It begins after the “Holy, Holy, Holy” and ends with the Great Amen.
Where it appears in the Bible
Luke 22:19; Matthew 26:26
What the Bible says
Luke 22:19
And taking bread, he gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is my body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of me.
Matthew 26:26
And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to his disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is my body.
Douay-Rheims Bible (Challoner revision), public domain.
Source: Catechism 1352-1353; GIRM 78-79