Don't, Don't, Don't, Don't! Don't You Forget About Me

I promise this post will be less mind-boggling than the last one.  After the Thanksgiving, Epiclesis, and Institution Narrative (in Eucharistic Prayer II) comes the Mystery of Faith by the people, and the Anamnesis.  This comes from the Greek ἀνάμνησιν, which means “memory.”  As I mentioned a few posts ago when summarizing all the parts of the Eucharistic Prayer, the Anamnesis is the collective remembrance through a short song about the passion, resurrection, and ascension of Jesus.  If there is no choir, obviously, this is just recited.

Some people may not realize that there are actually 4 options when it comes to the Mystery of Faith.  Here’s what they are now along with what they’re going to be starting in Advent:

Intro by the Priest:

Current Text:

Let us proclaim the mystery of faith.

Beginning Advent 2011:

The mystery of faith.

Now for the Anamnesis itself:

Option A

Current Text:

Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.

Beginning Advent 2011

(By the date I posted this, a U.S. adaptation had yet to be decided by the Vatican.)

Option B

Current Text:

Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life.  Lord Jesus, come in glory.

Beginning Advent 2011:

We proclaim your death, O Lord, and profess your Resurrection until you come again.

Option C

Current Text:

When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.

Beginning Advent 2011:

When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup, we proclaim your death, O Lord, until you come again.

Option D:

Current Text:

Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free.  You are the Savior of the World.

Beginning Advent 2011:

Save us, Savior of the world, for by your Cross and Resurrection, you have set us free.

Now for the Anamnesis, which is said by the priest (in Eucharistic Prayer II):

Current Text:

In memory of his death and resurrection, we offer you, Father, this life-giving bread, this saving cup.  We thank you for counting us worthy to stand in your presence and serve you.

Beginning Advent 2011:

Therefore, as we celebrate the memorial of his Death and Resurrection, we offer you, Lord, the Bread of life and the Chalice of salvation, giving thanks that you have held us worthy to be in your presence and minister to you.

So there you have it.  Not too much explanation needed there, as we’ve already talked about Jesus as the Lamb of God and how he was sacrificed for our sins back in “’Cause I Gotta Have Faith – Part V.”  In the middle of the Eucharistic Prayer, it just seems fitting that after we hear the words of Jesus in the Institution Narrative, “Do this in memory of me,” that we would immediately remember what the sacrifice of his body and blood really did for us.