Memorial Acclamation
The Memorial Acclamation is an acclamation sung or recited by the people after the institution narrative of the Eucharist.[1] They were common in ancient eastern liturgies[1] and have more recently been introduced into Roman Catholic, Anglican, Lutheran, and Methodist liturgies.
Roman Rite
The Memorial Acclamation was introduced into the Roman Rite of Mass in 1969 as part of the revision of the Roman Missal by Pope Paul VI. Previously the only acclamations by the people in the eucharistic prayer were te Sanctus and the Amen to the final doxology.[2]
Mysterium fidei
As a lead to the Memorial Acclamation, the priest says: "The mystery of faith".[3]
This introductory phrase, mysterium fidei in the Latin original, was misleadingly translated into English as "Let us proclaim the mystery of faith", and in some places was sung or spoken by the deacon instead of the priest in spite of the clear instruction in the Missal itself and in the apostolic constitution Missale Romanum with which Pope Paul VI promulgated the revision of the Roman Missal.[4] The English translation was corrected in 2011 and now reads simply: "The mystery of faith".
The phrase mysterium fidei had previously been included in the formula of consecration of the wine spoken inaudibly by the priest,[4] appearing as follows (here accompanied by an unofficial English translation):[5]
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- Text (in Latin)
- Simili modo postquam cenatum est,
- accipiens et hunc praeclarum calicem
- in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas:
- item tibi gratias agens, benedixit,
- deditque discipulis suis, dicens:
- Accipite, et bibite ex eo omnes.
- Hic est enim calix sanguinis mei,
- novi et aeterni testamenti:
- mysterium fidei:
- qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur
- in remissionem peccatorum.
- Haec quotiescumque feceritis,
- in mei memoriam facietis.
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- Unofficial English translation
- In like manner, after He had supped,
- taking also into His holy and venerable hands
- this goodly chalice,
- again giving thanks to Thee, He blessed it,
- and gave it to His disciples, saying:
- Take and drink ye all of this:
- For this is the chalice of My blood,
- of the new and everlasting testament:
- the mystery of faith:
- which will be shed for you and for many
- unto the remission of sins.
- As often as ye shall do these things,
- ye shall do them in remembrance of me.
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After the revision, the text and the official English translation are now as follows:
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-
- Text (in Latin)
- Simili modo postquam cenatum est,
- accipiens et hunc praeclarum calicem
- in sanctas ac venerabiles manus suas,
- item tibi gratias agens benedixit,
- deditque discipulis suis, dicens:
- Accipite, et bibite ex eo omnes:
- hic est enim calix Sanguinis mei
- novi et aeterni testamenti,
- qui pro vobis et pro multis effundetur
- in remissionem peccatorum.
- Hoc facite in meam commemorationem.
- Mysterium fidei.
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- Official English translation
- In a similar way, when supper was ended,
- he took this precious chalice
- in his holy and venerable hands,
- and once more giving you thanks, he said the blessing
- and gave the cup to his disciples, saying:
- Take this, all of you, and drink from it,
- for this is the chalice of my Blood,
- the Blood of the new and eternal covenant,
- which will be poured out for you and for many
- for the forgiveness of sins.
- Do this in memory of me.
- The mystery of faith.
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Some traditionalist Catholics criticized the removal of the phrase mysterium fidei from the words of consecration,[6] even claiming that it made the Mass invalid.[7]
The three acclamations
The three acclamations given in the Roman Missal are, in the official English translation, as follows:
- We proclaim your Death, O Lord,
- and profess your Resurrection,
- until you come again.
- When we eat this Bread and drink this Cup,
- we proclaim your Death, O Lord,
- until you come again.
- Save us, Saviour of the world,
- for by your Cross and Resurrection
- you have set us free.
The initial edition of the Roman Missal in English, which in part was an adaptation rather than a translation of the original, had instead the following four acclamations:
- Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again.
- Dying you destroyed our death, rising you restored our life. Lord Jesus, come in glory.
- When we eat this bread and drink this cup, we proclaim your death, Lord Jesus, until you come in glory.
- Lord, by your cross and resurrection, you have set us free. You are the Saviour of the world.
Other liturgies
In its 1979 version of the Book of Common Prayer, the Episcopal Church (United States) has in Prayer B the acclamation:
- We remember his death
- We proclaim his resurrection
- We await his coming in glory
In three of its Rite 2 eucharistic prayers, the acclamation is made by celebrant and people together.[1]
The Book of Alternative Services of the Anglican Church of Canada has a Memorial Acclamation, as have some United Methodist churches.
Lutherans also have an acclamation.[8]
References
- ^ a b c Don S. Armentrout, Robert Boak Slocum (editors), An Episcopal Dictionary of the Church (Church House Publishing 2005 ISBN 9780898692112), p. 328
- ^ Jennifer Kerr Breedlove, Paul Turner, Guide for Music Ministers (Archdiocese of Chicago Liturgy Training Publications 2010 ISBN 9781568549163), p. 51
- ^ Gerard Moore, Jean Marie Hiesberger, We Learn about Mass (Liturgy Training Publications 2011 ISBN 9781616710354), p. 23
- ^ a b Peter J. Elliott, Liturgical Question Box (Ignatius Press 1998 ISBN 9780898706772), pp. 95-96
- ^ Canon of the Mass
- ^ Rama P. Coomaraswamy The destruction of the Christian tradition 2006 p279 "Not only is this an entirely new practice, but it implies that the Mystery of the Faith is the Death, Resurrection, and Final Coming of Our Lord, rather than His 'Real Presence' on the altar."
- ^ Adam Miller, Is the New Mass of Pope Paul VI Invalid? (Lulu 2006 ISBN 9781411699786), pp. 94-96
- ^ Order of Worship, from Lutherans Online. Retrieved 2010-16-01.
See also
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