Eucharistic Prayer and Preface

[MockSock]

I’m relatively new to the Ordinary Form. My old parish offered a weekly Sunday EF Mass, and before that I always went to SSPX (not anymore). I have recently moved and have no access an EF Mass, so I have bought an OF Missal and its insanely complicated. Constantly flicking through it trying to find the right page.

My question(s) are, how do you know which Eucharistic Prayer is going to be used? And how do you know which preface is going to be used (without asking the priest obviously). In the OF there are no fewer than EIGHT prefaces for Sundays in ‘Ordinary Time’. But as far as I can tell there are no rubrics saying which one will be used on any given Sunday (unless it is a particular feast obviously), and the same goes for the Eucharistic Prayers, of which there are four.

Is it just the priest’s random choice, or is there some method in it?

 

[Fauken]

Is it just the priest’s random choice, or is there some method in it?

It’s generally the priest’s choice, and each of the prefaces has a theme. They generally, from my experience, try to tailor it to the theme of the readings.

When I was a Sacristan, I got to pick.

 

[MockSock]

But it is fairly random?

What I’m getting at is how can I know in advance to prepare for Mass.

 

[edward_george1]

It’s at the discretion of the celebrant. I’m not sure what you mean by “random,” as I’m usually fairly intentional about it. But mileage may vary with the priest. I usually use EP I on Sundays, though I will occasionally use IV. I use IV especially on Ordinary Time weekdays. And I use III most other Ordinary Time weekdays, especially if there’s a saint I’d like to mention in the EP.

But again, there isn’t an objective way of knowing ahead of time. Sometimes I don’t even decide until I get to the altar, to be honest. You can listen out for key phrases and figure out which one’s being used. Or just put your missal down and listen to what’s being said and unite yourself to the prayer of the priest.

-Fr ACEGC

 

[SuscipeMeDomine]

Father is right. Since the words are in English you can understand them without a missal. Listen to them and unite yourself with them as they are being prayed.

 

[Elf01]

For me I simply began to recognize what we were saying from the first words. Not very helpful I’m afraid. I find 2 and 3 to be the most commonly used.

 

[mrsdizzyd]

For me I simply began to recognize what we were saying from the first words.

Basically, this is what you do.

The priests at my parish always use Eucharistic Prayer 1. The preface is the tricky bit. Usually it’s the first one, but if there is one that is clearly more relevant to the readings he’ll use another. To keep from flipping I just listen to the preface without following along.

 

[Maximilian75]

The Preface is only one of a few if it’s a common Sunday in a season.

 

[929dad]

There are several prefaces for Ordinary Time and more specific ones for Feasts, Solemnities, Other Occasions, etc.

The Priest always has the option of which EP to use.

 

[HeDa]

I have found that most priests where I live, use EP II on weekdays and EP III on Sundays as a general. When my parish priest wear a special white vestment then I know that he will say EP I as he only uses that one on special occasions. He will also use an alternative when there are Masses with lots of young children. I have read the book with, was it 12? alternatives. Another priest will say EP I when we are celebrating any of the saints mentioned in the prayer. Another one prays EP IV when he is really tired and needs to concentrate. Yet another one will pray EP II because he is learning the language. You will get to know your priests preferences.

You will start to recognise which EP after a few times. I went to Mass in Rome and could easily follow my vernacular with the Latin beside and follow which EP the priest prayed just by listening to key words that I know are similar in Latin and Italian.

 

[dochawk]

Relax, you have it easy. The Maronites have, iirc, 99 Anaphorae(sp?)–and that just counting the ones that have ben translated into English!



hawk