Liturgy of the Eucharist: Anamnesis, Offering, Intercessions and Final Doxology

Last week, we discussed the consecration of the body and blood of Christ. The next part of the mass is to pause or lengthen the moment in order for us to grasp the full meaning of what just happened. The first prayer is called the anamnesis (a nam ne ses) or memorial. It refers to a prayer which identifies what is happening in the Mass and allows us time to ponder it in our hearts. Jesus says, “Do this in memory of me.” Then the priest tells the Father in Heaven that the Church has been faithful in fulfilling this command as the priest says, “Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection...”

The anamnesis serves as the basis for a second prayer known as the “offering.” This prayer reflects the awesome privilege we have of offering, in the Mass, what Jesus offered on Good Friday. In the Mass, Jesus offers his sacrifice with his church as we say, “We offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.” The symbolism of the gifts also points to how the Church offers itself to God... not on its own, but in union with Christ’s sacrifice. Remember that the material gifts of bread and wine symbolized a total gift of one’s very self. Now after the consecration, those human gifts to God have become the Eucharistic body and blood of Christ ‒ the body and blood which is offered to the Father. Thus, in Christ, the Church participates in the perfect self-giving love of the Son on the Cross.

As the Eucharistic Prayers near their conclusion, the priest makes various intercessions. First, he prays for all who will soon be nourished by the body and blood of Christ. He prays that “they may become one body, one spirit in Christ.” Then he prays to God that our participation in Christ’s sacrifice might make us “an eternal offering to you.” Second, the priest prays for the Church universal, naming the pope and local bishop and then all bishops, clergy and the entire people of God, both the living and the dead. The Eucharistic Prayer ends with an expression of praise known as “The great Amen.” After hearing the priest acclaim that all honor and glory is God’s forever and ever, we respond like the angels, eager to join in this praise of God. We cry out or sing “Amen!” This final doxology is no ordinary Amen. We join all the great heroes of our salvation history and all the angels and saints in heaven in this chorus of unending praise.

This is a lot to absorb, but try to keep some of this in mind as we celebrate the holy Eucharist and the prayers that bring it to a conclusion.