Eucharistic Prayer IV

by Fr. John Granato  |  11/10/2024  |  Words from Fr. John

My Dear Friends,

Today we talk about Eucharistic prayer IV. The essential elements are the same as the other three Eucharistic prayers, but it also has differences. For example, this Eucharistic prayer has a set preface which has to be used whenever you use this Eucharistic prayer. The preface is the prayer the priest prays (or sings) before we sing the Holy, Holy, Holy. There are many preface options that may be used, but not with this Eucharistic prayer.

This prayer, like II and II, was composed after the Second Vatican Council. It follows the Anaphora of St. Basil in the Liturgy of St. Basil in the Eastern Church. It follows Salvation History from creation to Christ. Because it has a fixed preface, this Eucharistic prayer cannot be used during the seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter. It also cannot be used on feasts and solemnities. It is to be used only on the Sundays of Ordinary Time and daily Masses during Ordinary Time.

The revision of the Missal in 2011 fixed the language a bit from the previous translation that we heard for forty years. The new translation was needed since one of the criticisms of this particular Eucharistic prayer was that it could have denied the divinity of the Son and the Holy Spirit. For example, the previous translation said, “Father in heaven, it is right that we should give you thanks and glory: you alone are God, living and true.” The new translation of 2011 says, “You are the one God, living and true.” Theologians deny that this is what it meant, but they cleaned up the language anyway. Scripture scholars always loved this Eucharistic prayer because of salvation history, but there was also a period in the church that many priest celebrants did not use this preface and Eucharistic prayer because, especially in the original translation, the masculine language was not inclusive. Even with the translation of 2011, there are still references to “man” that are not considered to be inclusive. It is a beautiful prayer and quite longer than Eucharistic prayer III. The only reason I rarely use this Eucharistic prayer is that it is difficult to sing the preface.

To recap the four main Eucharistic prayers, the first Eucharistic Prayer (the Roman Canon) may always be used since it is the oldest and most venerable. It is also the longest. Eucharistic prayer II is the shortest and has the least amount of sacrificial language in it, which is why many Episcopalians and Lutherans don’t seem to have a problem with it. It should never be used on a Sunday or a Solemnity (unless for a legitimate reason), nor should it be used on days when we commemorate a saint, although because of its shortness many priests do use this prayer on Sundays. Eucharistic prayer III follows the Roman  Canon, is much shorter and one that many Catholics hear on Sundays. It is preferable to use III over II. Eucharistic prayer IV is hardly ever used anymore and cannot be used during the important seasons of Advent, Christmas, Lent and Easter nor can it be used on Solemnites and Feasts. The Eucharistic prayer is the heart of the liturgy and should be prayed with due reverence.

God bless.