Is praying the Eucharistic Prayer a sin?

[Montie_Claunch]

At Mass I have gotten into the habit of softly praying the Eucharistic Prayer along with the priest. Of coarse I do it quietly and subtly enough that noone hears or sees me. Is this O.K. to do? Thanks and God bless.

 

[teachccd]

At Mass I have gotten into the habit of softly praying the Eucharistic Prayer along with the priest at Mass. Of coarse I do it quietly and subtly enough that noone hears or sees me. Is this O.K. to do? Thanks and God bless.

We all pray the Eucharistic Prayer at Mass. While we should remain silent, the great Amen at the end signifies our participation in the prayer. This is the heart of the Mass and I would think that not praying the prayer could be problematic.

So in closing, the prayer should only be said audibly by the priest but silently in our hearts and acknowledged with a resounding AMEN!!! God Bless…

 

[cue]

It is true that during the Eucharistic Prayer, “the priest invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal No 78). However, the Church states that “The Eucharist Prayer demands that all listen to it with reverence and in silence.” (No 78)
The Eucharist Prayer is the offering of the perfect sacrifice, Christ himself, to the Father. We assist by listening and giving our “Amen” as teachccd says. Our prayer should also be offering our lives to the Father (No 95). Therefore, reciting the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, proper only to ordained priests, would not be very helpful since we must make it our own; since we do not offer in the same way.

 

[teachccd]

It is true that during the Eucharistic Prayer, “the priest invites the people to lift up their hearts to the Lord in prayer and thanksgiving” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal No 78). However, the Church states that “The Eucharist Prayer demands that all listen to it with reverence and in silence.” (No 78)
The Eucharist Prayer is the offering of the perfect sacrifice, Christ himself, to the Father. We assist by listening and giving our “Amen” as teachccd says. Our prayer should also be offering our lives to the Father (No 95). Therefore, reciting the words of the Eucharistic Prayer, proper only to ordained priests, would not be very helpful since we must make it our own; since we do not offer in the same way.

You are 100% on target. But I might add that while it’s not fitting for the congregation to recite the Eucharistic Prayer with the priest as stated in the GIRM, I hardly find it to be a sin if one does. But, again, if a person understands the context of this Prayer of Prayers he/she should maintain that only the priest should recite it audibly. But I really doubt that it’s a sin as God would rejoice in the fervency of the person who feels the need to whisper this prayer. Fitting and proper? Perhaps not but sinful? Highly doubtful…God Bless

 

[cue]

The Code of Canon Law, No 907 is more explicit “In the eucharistic celebration deacons and lay persons are not permitted to offer prayers, especially the eucharistic prayer, or to perform actions which are proper to the celebrating priest.”

Ecclesiae de mysterio, a document put out by the Church in 1997 states:
“To promote the proper identity (of various roles) in this area, those abuses which are contrary to the provisions of canon 907 are to be eradicated. In eucharistic celebrations deacons and non-ordained members of the faithful may not pronounce prayers – e.g. especially the eucharistic prayer, with its concluding doxology – or any other parts of the liturgy reserved to the celebrant priest. Neither may deacons or non-ordained members of the faithful use gestures or actions which are proper to the same priest celebrant.” (Article Six, No 2)

So, in what way do we participate in this prayer?

Inaestimabile Donum (1980) explains: “On the other hand the assembly does not remain passive and inert; it unites itself to the priest in faith and silence and shows its concurrence by the various interventions provided for in the course of the Eucharist Prayer: the responses to the Preface dialogue, the Sanctus, the acclamation after the Consecration, and the final Amen after the Per Ipsum. The Per Ipsum itself is reserved to the priest. This Amen especially should be emphasized by being sung, since it is the most important in the whole Mass.” (No 4)

Okay, so how does this apply to our case? We need to make a distinction between ‘praying’, ‘pronouncing’ or ‘offering’ this prayer and simply following it or reading it. If we see ourselves as ‘concelebrating’ with the priest, then we are disobedying the rules above. I do not think that is the case here. If we are just following the texts, reading them or remembering them, then there is no problem and no sin.

The idea here is that in the Eucharistic Prayer we have given the gifts to be offered (the bread and wine) and have entrusted them to the priest to offer the Sacrifice on our behalf since we cannot do it ourselves. During this prayer, we must join in by offering our hearts. But we must understand that our act of joining our hearts changes us and does not effect the Eucahristic Sacrifice. That is why it is not necessary that other people be present when a priest says Mass. However, since this is such a fountain of grace and source of life for the faithful, the Church opens this treasure up to them and encourages them to participate, not as priests, but as the lay faithful. A laymen is not a ‘silent priest’ who offers in the same way but silently. They are two different modes of participation.

Now, Montie Claunch, I do not believe you are trying to ‘concelebrate,’ therefore, I do not believe you have sinned in this. I just mention all this because this is what the issue is.

 

[Katie1723]

At Mass I have gotten into the habit of softly praying the Eucharistic Prayer along with the priest. Of coarse I do it quietly and subtly enough that noone hears or sees me. Is this O.K. to do? Thanks and God bless.

Montie, I do the same thing. And rules or no rules, I hardly think God will strike you with a bolt of lightning if you keep it up.

Kathy

 

[MusicMan]

The audible recitation of the Eucharistic Prayer is proper to the priest-celebrant; you’ll note that when there are concelebrants, when it is not their “turn” to pray the Prayer aloud, they pray it inaudibly in deference to the celebrant whose “turn” it is.

I don’t know if what you’re intending to do is frowned upon or sinful in the eyes of the Church. I think the following is a good litmus test for your actions:

1.) Is it audible to those around you?

2.) Are you intending to confect the Eucharistic Sacrifice yourself by your recitation of the Prayer?

It sounds like #1 is not happening. If #2 is happening, then you incur an automatic ex communication, because one who attempts to confect the Eucharistic Sacrifice but is not ordained to do so is ex communicated.

If #1 and #2 are not occurring, then it sounds like all is well.

 

[cue]

I hardly think God will strike you with a bolt of lightning if you keep it up.

God does not strike many people down like that and whether He will strike us down is not the point. He is our loving Father who showers countless blessings upon us. So if we can do anything to show greater love and gratitude, we naturally want to foster that.
Christ established the Church to continue offering His Body and salvation to the world. The Church establishes rules, not to hinder us, but to truly help us. Therefore, since Christ has given the Church authority, we must regard this rule as from Christ, which demands that we do not ignore it, but lovingly obey it.
In our case, if we are simply reading or following the text of prayer, we are not doing wrong. But if we are trying to ‘quasi-preside’ we are disobeying the Church and therefore, Christ himself, which is sinful. So this is a question of intention.

 

[teachccd]

The thought had never even crossed my mind whereby one would think that they are concelebrating the Mass if they quietly recite the Eucharistic Prayer. Wow! So much to think about.

 

[Katie1723]

… if we are trying to ‘quasi-preside’ we are disobeying the Church and therefore, Christ himself, which is sinful. So this is a question of intention.

My goodness…aren’t we the stuffy ones! I am sure no one is trying to “quasi preside”. It is a matter of saying prayers that I am sure some of us have done at one time or another. Good grief, learn to lighten up!
Kathy

 

[cue]

I am sure no one is trying to “quasi preside”.

That is reassuring. Unfortunately, in my experience, I have met many who would attempt this.
At my friend’s parish, a man got up during the Prayer after Communion and he started yelling at my friend (the pastor). “Enough! You’re not a priest!” He then turned to the people, “You’re all priests! He’s a liar, a fake!”
Yikes. I’m glad this sort of thing is not wide-spread.

It is also my experience that many people are confused about the ‘lay ministry’. Many people I know think that their holiness lies in helping with some ‘ministry’ one hour a week on Sunday. For one reason or another, they have been led to believe that the primary mission of the laity, to bring the Gospel to the world in their daily lives, is less important than reading at Mass or being an Extraordinary minister. In other words, the only ‘real’ participation at Mass and way to holiness is as a priest, reader, server, etc. and everyone else is left to a lesser participation. This, of course, is a very distorted view of the mission and role of the priest and the laymen.

 

[Cranch]

Assertions of the unimportance of this issue not withstanding, after learning of the Church’s clear instruction to not “pronounce” these prayers (an instruction which does not seem to address intention by the way), why would someone continue to recite them, however softly? The Church says keep silent because it is not your place to speak here. It is reserved to the priest. What good comes from disobedience?

 

[Seatuck]

At Mass I have gotten into the habit of softly praying the Eucharistic Prayer along with the priest. Of coarse I do it quietly and subtly enough that noone hears or sees me. Is this O.K. to do? Thanks and God bless.

Base upon the references that you were given it probably would be prudent for you to stop doing so.Doesn’t mean you are a bad person for having started this habit. It might not be a sin but that itsn’t the only reason we do or do something. The Mass is a carefully written communal prayer and we are given parts in it. Some for the Priest, some for the laity. Concentrate on playing and praying your part well, instead.

Good question, btw, thanks for bringing it up.

 

[G_S]

We went through a period of time when many priests would invite everyone to recite the Eucharistic Prayer out loud together. It was this somewhat widespread practice that has led the Church to strongly clarify that the priest alone is to say the prayer. It was not to stop people from mouthing the words or reciting them so sotto voce that no one could hear them. I’m sure that the poster was not intending to confect or simulate the sacrament.

 

[cue]

I’m sure that the poster was not intending to confect or simulate the sacrament.

I am sure the poster was not as well. But it begs the question, what is the intention?

 

[m134e5]

At Mass I have gotten into the habit of softly praying the Eucharistic Prayer along with the priest. Of coarse I do it quietly and subtly enough that noone hears or sees me. Is this O.K. to do? Thanks and God bless.

I’m not sure it’s a sin, but we are the laity and those are not our words to say. (I personally find it somewhat irritating when I see or hear someone else praying them). If you want to meditate over them, that’s fine, but I wouldn’t say the words out loud or even mouth the words.