Ad-libbing during Eucharistic prayer

[Butaperson]

After the consecration, but before the final closing prayer, the priest began adding in some words that were definitely not part of any Eucharistic prayer. He asked us to take a minute, close our eyes, think about the souls in purgatory, ect.

In addition, he actually mixed up 2 Eucharistic prayers. First he read Eucharistic Prayer IV, then after the consecration, I think he read the second half of Eucharistic Prayer II. I honestly don’t know if he meant to do this or if he just accidentally turned the wrong page, but…

Is this liturgical abuse? I feel pretty certain that this is not something that should be ok? I’m honestly not sure whether or not I should go back to that parish if these are the sorts of things they do.

 

[Mary_Ellen]

I probably wouldn’t have been comfortable there, either, but it’s too early to start looking for a different parish if this is the first time you’ve been there. Yes, he shouldn’t have added his own words to the Eucharistic Prayer - that’s probably an abuse but did not invalidate the sacrament - and he could have turned the wrong page. I’d give the priest another chance before writing him off.

 

[rca8497]

Of course, situations such as this are far too common and taken way too casually by many bishops and priests, not to mention those worshipping. And of course raising these kinds of issues invariably elicits a fair number of “who cares?” responses from those around us that, well, don’t care, or assume that it’s not the “old days” anymore.

Everytime I hear someone tell me about a priest messing with parts of more than one Eucharistic Prayer I cannot help but think of some of the bishops at the Council that in some cases were said to have fainted at the idea of having any additional such prayers other than the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I), introduced.

I will answer this way with no intention to instigate a fight about Latin or the vernacular; the Mass will always have such “innovations” as what you experienced without the Latin language being used. That’s just the way it is.

Ask this priest if he would consider using Latin ordinary parts of the Mass and see what happens. I concur with others here that one cannot so quickly cut ties with a parish; however, his answer to my proposed question will perhaps reveal a great deal more worth hearing before leaving or not. When priests are ardently against entertaining the idea of showing the faithful their Church’s patrimony, which is rightfully theirs as members of it, it raises a lot of questions about agenda in an institution that is really clear about its actual Agenda: saving souls through Christ, and unity in liturgy and prayer in the pursuit.

 

[Alex2008]

After the consecration, but before the final closing prayer, the priest began adding in some words that were definitely not part of any Eucharistic prayer. He asked us to take a minute, close our eyes, think about the souls in purgatory, ect.

In addition, he actually mixed up 2 Eucharistic prayers. First he read Eucharistic Prayer IV, then after the consecration, I think he read the second half of Eucharistic Prayer II. I honestly don’t know if he meant to do this or if he just accidentally turned the wrong page, but…

Is this liturgical abuse? I feel pretty certain that this is not something that should be ok? I’m honestly not sure whether or not I should go back to that parish if these are the sorts of things they do.

I’m a little confused here Butaperson?? Your statement “after the consecration, but before the FINAL closing prayer” is what confuses me. Do you mean he makes this statement after communion…before the prayer and the closing blessing?? If so, this is not during the eucharistic prayer. It would be better, at least for me, if we knew where in the eucharistic prayer he was inserting this statement…because there is a place in most eucharistic prayers where the dead may be included (in remembrance)…it is not normally done, but can be done if the priest so chooses…admittedly his wording is a little weird though!

As to the second issue of jumping from one prayer to another, it is quite easy to do if you flip the pages in the sacramentary wrong. I did this a few times in my day and didn’t realize it until someone pointed it out. I have the feeling like some others, that is what happened here.