Omit "almighty Father" in invitation to prayer?

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Cathy

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In the invitation to prayer, before the prayer over the gifts, is it an abuse to shorten the prayer to, “Pray, brothers and sisters, that our sacrifice may be acceptable to God,” and omit, “the almighty Father?” The priest I have in mind tells me he believes it is “redundant” to include “almighty Father.”
 
OK. I’m not the liturgical cop, but there are some interesting questions.

Does he believe he has the authority to alter the words prescribed by the Church for the liturgy? Is he mentioned in canon 838?

Do the rubrics give him that option?

Why is the criterion of redundancy in his estimation appropriate? Will Father also plan on compressing the first two repetitions of the Agnus Dei based on his criterion?

Has he reflected on why “the almighty Father” was placed there in formula as part of the invitation? Is it that the Church wishes the assembly to recall God as almighty and as Father at that point of the liturgy?

Father will want to consider how the Eucharistic Canon concludes with the doxology and Great Amen: Through him, with him, and in him, in the unity of the Holy Sprit, … is yours, Almighty Father …

Could it be that the Church wants to remind us that the Eucharistic sacrifice is offered to God as Almighty Father?

I’d be interested in his response.
 
Yes, it’s an abuse since the priest is not supposed to change any of the prayers on his own.

Deacon Ed
 
I just read it, the prayer, I dont think it should be changed, It reminds me that God is our almighty father. Like a father he tends to our needs and almighty in that all things are possible. It all just makes sense and flows together. Not to mention that the priest does not have the authority to change it if not in the options. The priest is responsible for the liturgy but he does not own it.
 
Thanks to all for your help and ideas…and prayers. When I last spoke to the priest about this, he gave me some hope that he would be changing to the normal version soon. I’m guessing (and praying) that will be at the same time they make the planned liturgical changes this fall, if not sooner.
 
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