When are the different Eucharistic Prayers used?

[oldmarine86]

I have been a Catholic for over 50 years, converting with my family, with the exception of my Dad who was a cradle Catholic in 1960 at 13 years of age. I went to Catholic School for the 8th grade only.

My question is this:

At what times do we use the Eucharistic Prayer I, Eucharistic Prayer II, Eucharistic Prayer III and Eucharistic Prayer IV? This has always been confusing to me.

Vivat Jesus,

Bob Rees

 

[Fr.Charles_Grondin]

The choice of Eucharistic Prayers is up to the priest celebrant. There is no time during which any of the four Eucharistic Prayers are required. Eucharistic Prayer I contains specific parts for certain holy days (e.g. Christmas, Easter) and thus is more likely to be used on those holy days. The Preface for Eucharistic Prayer IV contains a great reference to the passage from Isaiah that Jesus reads in the synagogue and thus is more likely to be used when that is the Gospel of the day. But there is no requirement that any of them be used on any day, the celebrant of the Mass is free to choose any of them.

The General Instruction of the Roman Missal offers the following guidelines:

1. The choice between the Eucharistic Prayers found in the Order of Mass is suitably guided by the following norms:

a) Eucharistic Prayer I, or the Roman Canon, which may always be used, is especially suited for use on days to which a proper text for the Communicantes (In communion with those whose memory we venerate) is assigned or in Masses endowed with a proper form of the Hanc igitur (Therefore, Lord, we pray) and also in the celebrations of the Apostles and of the Saints mentioned in the Prayer itself; likewise it is especially suited for use on Sundays, unless for pastoral reasons Eucharistic Prayer III is preferred.

b) Eucharistic Prayer II, on account of its particular features, is more appropriately used on weekdays or in special circumstances. Although it is provided with its own Preface, it may also be used with other Prefaces, especially those that sum up the mystery of salvation, for example, the Common Prefaces. When Mass is celebrated for a particular deceased person, the special formula given may be used at the proper point, namely, before the part Remember also our brothers and sisters.

c) Eucharistic Prayer III may be said with any Preface. Its use should be preferred on Sundays and festive days. If, however, this Eucharistic Prayer is used in Masses for the Dead, the special formula for a deceased person may be used, to be included at the proper place, namely after the words: in your compassion, O merciful Father, gather to yourself all your children scattered throughout the world.

d) Eucharistic Prayer IV has an invariable Preface and gives a fuller summary of salvation history. It may be used when a Mass has no Preface of its own and on Sundays in Ordinary Time. On account of its structure, no special formula for a deceased person may be inserted into this prayer.