Query About Eucharistic Prayer One (The Roman Canon)

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Each priest has his own reasons. It could be time. It could be a strong preference for one of the other Eucharistic Prayers. Who knows? We’d have to ask each one. 🙂

Betsy
 
Yeah, my sense is that it’s some combination of it being seen as too long, too stilted-sounding in comparison with the others, or too traditional. I wonder also if there are some priests who like it, but reserve it for particular days like solemnities to help make them special.
 
I always assumed that there was a liturgical plan for which Eucharistic prayer was to be used just as there is a plan for which readings and Gospels will be read each week. Certain feast days or liturgical seasons were dictating which changeable prayers would be used at the various points during the Mass was my understanding. I could be wrong and often am wrong, but in a well meaning way. 😃
 
I’ve figured it is partly a matter of the preference of the priest. In my parish, which prayer one hears is strongly related to which priest is saying mass.
 
centurionguard said:
Why is it that the Eucharistic Prayer One (The Roman Canon) is rarely heard during Masses and Solemnities throughout the year? I usually only hear a priest use it during the Mass of the Nativity, Christmas Day and Easter. Any thoughts?
catholicliturgy.com/index.cfm/FuseAction/Text/Index/4/SubIndex/67/ContentIndex/22/Start/9

newadvent.org/cathen/03255c.htm
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On a practical level, it’s largely up to the priest.

The GIRM (for the U.S., I think this part is the same for Canada) has some guidance: usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter7.shtml

See para 364ff.
 
Vince1022 said:
On a practical level, it’s largely up to the priest.

The GIRM (for the U.S., I think this part is the same for Canada) has some guidance: usccb.org/liturgy/current/chapter7.shtml

See para 364ff.
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The U.S. and Canadian GIRM are virtually the same.
Using these guidelines from the usccb:
**
364. The purpose of the many prefaces that enrich the Roman Missal is to bring out more fully the motives for thanksgiving within the Eucharistic Prayer and to set out more clearly the different facets of the mystery of salvation.**
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**365. The choice among the Eucharistic Prayers found in the Order of Mass is suitably guided by the following norms:
  1. Eucharistic Prayer I, that is, the Roman Canon, which may always be used, is especially suited to be sung or said on days when there is a proper text for the Communicantes (In union with the whole Church) or in Masses endowed with a proper form of the Hanc igitur (Father, accept this offering) and also in the celebrations of the Apostles and of the Saints mentioned in the Prayer itself; it is likewise especially appropriate for Sundays, unless for pastoral considerations Eucharistic Prayer III is preferred. **
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I certainly am not against the priest choosing personal preference of the Eucharistic Prayer. **365 states: Eucharistic Prayer I, that is, the Roman Canon, which may always be used ** Being a former Sacristan for almost ten years setting up for Mass including the Sacramentary and Lectionary for the appropriate Mass of the day, I just find it odd that the Roman Canon is rarely heard. Perhaps its because I hear it so rarely used that I’m placing personal love for it, although its not that I want to hear it everyday.

Most frequently during Masses and Solemnities the priest will use Eucharistic Prayer 2 and 3 and less frequently Eucharistic Prayer 4.
 
My reason for not using it on weekdays is its length. I have commuters to whom extra time means a great difference in traffic. On Solemnities we already have the gloria, an extra reading and the creed so I try to be mindful of the time constraints many of the daily mass goers have.
 
My friend used EP 1 yesterday morning for the Solemnity of Sts. Peter and Paul. The Holy Father also used EP 1 as well. For yesterday’s evening Mass for Sts. Peter and Paul, my dad’s pastor used EP II. 😦
 
I was surprised to hear the priest use it yesterday but it was a nice way of acknowledging the solemnity of Peter and Paul. Since I go to an evening Mass the length is not as much of a problem as it is for people trying to get to work in the morning.
 
Our priest uses it at almost every mass. He uses a different one if there is a baptism, wedding, or a long homily. But usually it’s EP I.
 
Eucharistic Prayer III is meant to be primarily used on Sundays and days of obligation.
 
NewEnglandPries said:
My reason for not using it on weekdays is its length. I have commuters to whom extra time means a great difference in traffic. On Solemnities we already have the gloria, an extra reading and the creed so I try to be mindful of the time constraints many of the daily mass goers have.
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It’s always a difficult thing to balance solemnity and length on weekday Masses. The gloria and the creed and the extra reading add a lot more time than one would expect-- and that’s without incense and singing. I’m personally OK with a priest choosing to include some more singing and incense on a weekday solemnity, even if at the expense of the Roman Canon. It’s an honest and tough decision to make.

(I have little sympathy for pastors who are so worried about keeping Sunday Mass at 60min or under that they won’t do anything that might risk lengthening Mass-- if you can’t have a longer Mass on a Sunday, then there simply isn’t a time when Mass can be more solemn at all.)

centurionguard,

I think a lot of it is ease and convenience. But do yourself a favor and check out the new translation of the Roman Canon… it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to hear it, my goodness.
*
To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition* (the “Te igitur”)
*
Therefore, Lord, we pray:
graciously accept this oblation of our service* (Quam oblationem tu)

And more!

God bless,
Rob
 
This is the way I heard it recommended:

I. Highly recommended for the higher solemnities of the year (Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, Epiphany) as well as for the feasts of saints mentioned in the Canon.
II. Recommended for simple weekday Masses.
III. Recommended for most Sundays, feasts, and solemnities.
IV. Best reserved for Sundays in Ordinary Time in which there is no proper Preface (because IV always has to be used with the Preface attached)
 
RobNY said:
It’s always a difficult thing to balance solemnity and length on weekday Masses. The gloria and the creed and the extra reading add a lot more time than one would expect-- and that’s without incense and singing. I’m personally OK with a priest choosing to include some more singing and incense on a weekday solemnity, even if at the expense of the Roman Canon. It’s an honest and tough decision to make.

(I have little sympathy for pastors who are so worried about keeping Sunday Mass at 60min or under that they won’t do anything that might risk lengthening Mass-- if you can’t have a longer Mass on a Sunday, then there simply isn’t a time when Mass can be more solemn at all.)

centurionguard,

I think a lot of it is ease and convenience. But do yourself a favor and check out the new translation of the Roman Canon… it’s beautiful. I can’t wait to hear it, my goodness.
*
To you, therefore, most merciful Father, we make humble prayer and petition* (the “Te igitur”)
*
Therefore, Lord, we pray:
graciously accept this oblation of our service* (Quam oblationem tu)

And more!

God bless,
Rob
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WOW! Thanks Rob for the link. Yes it is beautiful. I too can’t wait. I haven’t heard the exact date when the New Roman Missal will be out in Canada. Perhaps early September.
Thank you again for the link…its bookmarked.

Yours in Christ
Chris
 
DeaconsSon87 said:
This is the way I heard it recommended:

I. Highly recommended for the higher solemnities of the year (Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, Epiphany) as well as for the feasts of saints mentioned in the Canon.
II. Recommended for simple weekday Masses.
III. Recommended for most Sundays, feasts, and solemnities.
IV. Best reserved for Sundays in Ordinary Time in which there is no proper Preface (because IV always has to be used with the Preface attached)
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I don’t see anything “preferring” III to I for “most” Sundays of the year and limiting I to special solemnities. I is perfectly acceptable for any Mass, and especially any Sunday of the year.
 
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