The Basilian Eucharistic Prayer

The Lord be with you.

And with your spirit.

Lift up your hearts.

We lift them to the Lord.

Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.

It is right to give him thanks and praise.

Father, it is truly right to glorify you, truly fitting to give you thanks, for you alone are God, living and true, existing before all ages, abiding for all time, and dwelling in unapproachable light.

Fount of life and source of all goodness, your mighty works reveal your wisdom and love. You have created all things and formed us in your own image, giving the whole world into our care. When our disobedience took us far from you, you did not abandon us to the power of death. In your mercy you came to our help, so that in seeking you we might find you. Time and time again you called us into covenant with you, and through the prophets you taught us to hope for salvation, that we might be filled with your blessings, and rejoice in the radiance of your light. 

Countless hosts of angels stand before you to serve you night and day; and, beholding the glory of your presence, they offer you unceasing praise. Joining with them, and giving voice to every creature under heaven, we glorify your holy Name, as together with them we acclaim:

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.

Father, you loved the world so much that in the fullness of time you sent your only Son to be our Savior. Incarnate by the Holy Spirit, born of the Virgin Mary, he lived as one of us, yet without sin. To the poor he proclaimed the good news of salvation; to prisoners, freedom; and to the sorrowful, joy. To fulfill your purpose, he gave himself up to death; and, rising from the grave, destroyed death, making all creation new. And, that we might live no longer for ourselves, but for him who died and rose again, he sent the Holy Spirit, his own first gift for those who believe, to complete his work in the world, and to bring to fulfillment the sanctification of all.

The Celebrant's hands are spread over the Gifts.

Father, in your goodness and mercy may the same Spirit sanctify these gifts. + Let them become the Body and Blood of Jesus your Son, as we celebrate the great mystery which he left us as an everlasting covenant.

The Celebrant takes the bread.

On the night before he suffered, Jesus took bread into his sacred hands, and looking heavenward, to you, his almighty Father, he gave thanks and said the blessing. He then broke the bread, gave it to his disciples, and said:

“TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT,

FOR THIS IS MY BODY WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”

The Celebrant takes the cup.

In a similar way, when supper was ended, he took the cup into his sacred hands. Once again, he gave thanks and said the blessing. He then gave the cup to his disciples and said: 

“TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,

FOR THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,

THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.

IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU, AND FOR ALL, SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.

DO THIS IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME.”

The Celebrant briefly bows. 

And so, Father, with this Bread and this Cup, we celebrate the memory of Christ, your Son. 

Recalling his Death and his Descent among the Dead, and proclaiming his Resurrection and Ascension to your right hand, we await his coming in glory; and we offer you his Body and Blood, the acceptable sacrifice which brings salvation to the whole world. 

The Celebrant briefly joins hands and bows, touching the edge of the Altar,
before standing upright and making the sign of the cross.

In your goodness and mercy, may your Holy Spirit descend upon us,
+ sanctifying us and making of us one body and one spirit,
a living sacrifice in Christ to the praise and glory of your name. 

 

The Celebrant briefly bows and strikes the breast. 

Sinful and unworthy though we may be, you have made us worthy to serve you here at this Table. Grant that none of us may partake of this Holy Sacrament to our judgment or condemnation; rather grant us, in this Sacrament, the riches of your mercy and grace, which you have so richly poured upon us through your beloved Son, Jesus the Lord.

 

Elevating the Consecrated Gifts, the Celebrant concludes with the Doxology: 

Through him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honor is yours, Almighty Father, for ever and ever.
Amen.