A foretaste of heaven by AFE Diocese of Westminster

A foretaste of heaven

Group reflections on the Eucharist

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The Song of Zechariah (Benedictus)

The Song of Mary (Magnificat)

Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel; he has come to his people and set them free. He has raised up for us a mighty Saviour, born of the house of his servant David.

My soul proclaims the greatness of the Lord, my spirit rejoices in God my Saviour; for he has looked with favour on his lowly servant, and from this day all generations will call me blessed.

Through the holy prophets he promised of old that he would save us from our enemies, from the hands of all who hate us. He promised to show mercy to our fathers and to remember his holy covenant. This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham: to set us free from the hand of our enemies, free to worship him without fear, holy and righteous in his sight all the days of our life. You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way, to give his people knowledge of salvation by forgiving them their sins.

The Almighty has done great things for me: holy is his Name. He has mercy on those who fear him in every generation. He has shown the strength of his arm, he has scattered the proud in their conceit. He has cast down the mighty from their thrones, and has lifted up the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and has sent the rich away empty. He has come to the help of his servant Israel for he has remembered his promise of mercy, the promise he made to our fathers, to Abraham and his children for ever.

In the tender compassion of our God the dawn from on high shall break upon us, to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the shadow of death, and to guide our feet on the road of peace.

The Benedictus can be found in the first chapter of Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s gospel (Luke 1:68-79). You can also find the Magnificat in Lukeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s account, earlier in chapter one (Luke 1:46-55).

Contents About this book with

Why go to Mass on Sunday?

Where do we go to find Jesus?

Why do we kneel at Mass?

How is the Mass a sacrifice?

What should I be ‘doing’ at Mass?

Foreword by Archbishop Vincent Nichols (Westminster)

Reflecting on the importance of Mass and of the Lord’s Day

Reflecting on encountering Christ in the Eucharist

Reflecting on the idea of reverence

Reflecting on the true meaning of sacrifice

Reflecting on our full, conscious and active participation at Mass

Why do we say ‘with all the choirs of angels’?

Reflecting on the Eucharist as a foretaste of heaven

Daily Prayers

Prayers from Sunday to Saturday

Supplementary resources including

Quotes, prayers and documents on the Mass and the Eucharist

A foretaste of heaven

978-0-9563514-9-4

Nihil Obstat: Father Anton Cowan, Censor Imprimatur: The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster Date: Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, 15 August 2011 The Nihil obstat and Imprimatur are a declaration that a book or pamphlet is considered to be free from doctrinal or moral error. It is not implied that those who have granted the Nihil obstat and Imprimatur agree with the contents, opinions or statements expressed.

Writing Group: Dr Mark Nash, Fr Michael O’Boy, Mrs Margaret Wickware The Diocese of Westminster’s Agency for Evangelisation is grateful to the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the U.S.A for use of the New Revised Standard Version Bible: Catholic Edition copyright © 1993 and 1989. Excerpts from The Divine Office © 1974, hierarchies of Australia, England and Wales, Ireland. All rights reserved. The cover art was specially produced for A foretaste of heaven by Julian Game (www.juliangame.co.uk). This booklet also contains various images freely available via the Wikimedia Commons website; missal image on p.26 ©Marcin Mazur/catholicchurch.org.uk Produced by Agency for Evangelisation, Vaughan House, 46 Francis Street, London, SW1P 1QN. Tel: 020 7798 9152; email: evangelisation@rcdow.org.uk exploring booklets are published by WRCDT. Design by Mark Nash. faith Print arranged by Transform Management Ltd info@1025transform.co.uk Copyright © 2011, Diocese of Westminster, Archbishop’s House, Ambrosden Avenue, London, SW1P 1QJ. All rights reserved. The Diocese of Westminster’s Agency for Evangelisation is committed to a sustainable future for our planet. The booklet in your hands is made from paper certified by the Forest Stewardship Council.

A foretaste of heaven

Foreword My dear brothers and sisters, our faith is clear. In the Eucharist, Christ comes into our inner selves, unworthy though we are, and we are taken into Him to form one Body in Christ through the Sacrament which we share. In Holy Communion we share in the fruit of Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross. In Holy Communion, we know that Christ, whole and entire, his body and blood, together with his soul and divinity, is truly, really and substantially present. Drawn to him, nourished by him, we are sent by him to be ambassadors for Christ renewed in faith and committed to our mission. It is little surprise, therefore, that the Second Vatican Council referred to the Eucharist not just as something ‘we do’ but as the ‘source and summit’ of our Faith (Lumen Gentium, 11). During this period of faith-sharing I would like to you keep in mind and in your prayers the 50th International Eucharistic Congress which will take place in Ireland in June 2012. This Congress is a major international gathering of people which aims to promote an awareness of the central place of the Eucharist in the life and mission of the Catholic Church, to help improve our understanding and celebration of the liturgy and to draw attention to the social dimension of the Eucharist. Dioceses from across the world will send representatives but each one of us is invited to improve our devotion to the Eucharist and its worthy celebration. The new translation of the Missal and the preparations we have undertaken as a diocese, the Eucharistic Congress and this season of sharing present us with opportunities to reflect more closely on the words we use and actions we perform during the celebration of the Mass. May you be drawn into ever more perfect union with God and with each other through the Eucharist, so that finally God may be all in all (cf. Sacrosanctum Concilium, 48). Yours devotedly, The Most Reverend Vincent Nichols Archbishop of Westminster

A foretaste of heaven

About this book ‘At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Saviour instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet “in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.” ’ (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1323). As Catholics, the Eucharist stands at the heart of our faith. This booklet aims to highlight some of the aspects of the Eucharist particularly the ideas of sacrifice, presence and reverence. The six group sessions each start with a question to be explored and contain Scripture passages and reflections to help in our sharing. The Diocese of Westminster has previously produced a faith-sharing resource on the various parts of the Mass you may wish to see entitled Sharing in His Life (go to http://issuu.com/exploringfaith/docs/sharing_in_his_life to view). The group sessions are supplemented by additional materials and text boxes on Church documents, eucharistic symbolism and Scripture which serve to illustrate and enrich our understanding of what we encounter each time we participate in the memorial sacrifice of Our Lord. As with Hail Mary, Full of Grace (a previous title in the exploring faith series of booklets) we have made use of traditional painting and contemporary art. While these illustrate the text, they also serve an additional purpose of inviting the reader and their group to pause and reflect. We also invite you to make use of the daily prayers in the second half of the booklet which are drawn from the Divine Office. This booklet is not tied to a particular time of year and would be ideal for groups meeting together, for example, on the feast of Corpus Christi. Likewise the prayers and meditations may be used as individuals, or as a parish, before the Blessed Sacrament. Additional reflections and thoughts can be found on our small group blog (dowsmallgroups.wordpress.com).

A foretaste of heaven

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PietĂ with Saints by Andrea del Sarto (1523-24)

Why go to Mass on a Sunday?

session one

Opening Prayers Taken from Psalm 118(117):5-6, 14, 19, 21-24 Leader: Out of my distress I called on the Lord;

the Lord answered me and set me in a broad place. With the Lord on my side I do not fear. What can mortals do to me?

Group: The Lord is my strength and my might;

he has become my salvation.

Leader: Open to me the gates of righteousness,

that I may enter through them and give thanks to the Lord.

Group: I thank you that you have answered me

All:

and have become my salvation. The stone that the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone.

This is the Lordâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The word eucharist means thanksgiving. As we come together to reflect on the Eucharist let us, aloud or in the silence of our hearts, give thanks to the Lord for the things we have accomplished, the joys experienced and the people we have met over the past week. Let us also remember those who need our prayers. Introduction to the Scripture reading Let us listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, and attend to it with the ear of our hearts. Let us welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice. St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547) adapted

A foretaste of heaven

Explore the Scriptures John 20:1-10, 19-21 Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene came to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the tomb. So she ran and went to Simon Peter and the other disciple, the one whom Jesus loved, and said to them, ‘They have taken the Lord out of the tomb, and we do not know where they have laid him.’ Then Peter and the other disciple set out and went towards the tomb. The two were running together, but the other disciple outran Peter and reached the tomb first. He bent down to look in and saw the linen wrappings lying there, but he did not go in. Then Simon Peter came, following him, and went into the tomb. He saw the linen wrappings lying there, and the cloth that had been on Jesus’ head, not lying with the linen wrappings but rolled up in a place by itself. Then the other disciple, who reached the tomb first, also went in, and he saw and believed; for as yet they did not understand the scripture, that he must rise from the dead. Then the disciples returned to their homes. When it was evening on that day, the first day of the week, and the doors of the house where the disciples had met were locked for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood among them and said, ‘Peace be with you.’ After he said this, he showed them his hands and his side. Then the disciples rejoiced when they saw the Lord. Jesus said to them again, ‘Peace be with you. As the Father has sent me, so I send you.’ Please take a few moments in silence to reflect on the passage, then share a word or phrase that has struck you. Pause to think about what others have said then after a second reading of the passage you can share a little more.

Reflection In March 2011, an optional question on religious affiliation was included in the UK census questionnaire. Given the resulting controversy that played out in the popular press, it might seem rather surprising that the social media network, Facebook regularly invites its millions of members to identify their ‘religious views’ as part of the their biographical information. For many people, of different faith traditions, religious beliefs and practices define their identity. By gathering with others in the celebration of their faith, they are telling the world who they are and what they believe. This was undoubtedly the case for the early Christians. Never far from their minds was the fact that they were a part of a Christian community, becoming brothers and sisters in Christ through baptism. Willing to risk persecution and even the possibility of death, they regularly gathered in the homes of fellow Christians to attend the Sunday Eucharist.

A foretaste of heaven

They listened to the Gospels, prayed together and, most importantly, they commemorated the breaking of the bread – just as Jesus commanded at the Last Supper ‘do this in memory of me.’ In doing so, they were reminded not only of Christ’s selfless sacrifice on their behalf but also of his resurrection, the cornerstone of our Christian faith. Now, two thousand years later, the practice of many of our deeply rooted religious traditions has waned. In many corners of the world, the depth and breadth of their purpose and meaning has been lost, forgotten or even misunderstood. Sadly, the Sunday Eucharist is oftentimes rather grudgingly viewed as an obligation or simply ignored by individuals keen to give their Sundays to work or leisure. The historic Second Vatican Council asked us to look anew to the early Christians for understanding of what we do and why. Blessed Pope John Paul II, in his encyclical Dies Domini (The Lord’s Day) explained that even those living in the centuries before Christ’s birth observed the Sabbath, a day set apart to rest with ‘a contemplative gaze’ on the work achieved – just as God had done on the seventh day (Genesis 2:2; DD,11). Having a ‘strong inner need’ to ‘weekly echo the first encounter with the risen Lord’, the early Christians continued this practice on Sundays, the first day following the Sabbath (DD, 47 and 56). Very importantly, they felt drawn together, united with each other ‘body and soul’, gathering to joyfully celebrate as the apostles did that first Easter evening (Luke 24:40). Each Sunday, we are invited to do the same: to join in celebration with our fellow Christians, to rest with a contemplative gaze and to examine our lives in relation to all that Christ Jesus has so lovingly done for each of us. Through the ultimate sacrifice of his life on the Cross in atonement for our sins, his glorious resurrection

In the zone

There are many colloquial terms that describe the feeling of deep focus on a given activity: on the ball, in the zone, in the groove and so on. Positive psychologist, Mihály Csíkszentmihályi, describes this feeling as ‘flow’ or a single mindedness that creates a spontaneous sense of joy. ‘Flow’ occurs when a skill we have learnt or knowledge we have gained lines up perfectly with the task we are doing. In a religious context we can reflect on finding the ‘flow’, putting ourselves in the zone, when we approach the Eucharistic feast. Preparation in the form of reflecting on the gestures we make and the symbolism that is everywhere in the Mass will no doubt prove useful (see p.60). The Mass warrants reflection and preparation so that we may be fully present and actively participate.

A foretaste of heaven

and his gift of the Holy Spirit, we are gratuitously given the promise of life everlasting with our loving Father in heaven. Undoubtedly, a gift of such magnitude is cause for great joy and deserves a loving response. What could be more appropriate than setting aside time each Sunday to rest in God’s embrace; to reflect upon our week and to place ourselves before our loving Father through our participation in the Sunday Eucharist: ‘the celebration of the living presence of the Risen Lord in the midst of his own people’? (DD, 31) How central is the Sunday Eucharist to your week? How can you make it more so for you and your family and friends? How do you express its importance in your life to those around you? How else do you make Sunday special? Closing Prayers You may wish to end this session with some diﬀerent prayers or silent reflection. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Notes

Did you know... typically in the heart of the altar in our parish churches there is a stone containing the relics of one or more saints? This echoes the practice of the early Christians who celebrated the Eucharist over the tombs of the saints.

A foretaste of heaven

Where do we go to find Jesus?

session two

Opening Prayers Taken from Psalm 21(20):1-7 Leader: In your strength the king rejoices, O Lord,

and in your help how greatly he exults!

Group: You have given him his heartâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s desire,

and have not withheld the request of his lips.

Leader: For you meet him with rich blessings;

you set a crown of fine gold on his head.

Group: He asked you for life; you gave it to himâ&#x20AC;&#x201D;

length of days for ever and ever.

Leader: His glory is great through your help;

splendour and majesty you bestow on him.

Group: You bestow on him blessings for ever;

you make him glad with the joy of your presence.

Leader: For the king trusts in the Lord,

and through the steadfast love of the Most High he shall not be moved.

All:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introduction to Reading of Scripture Let us listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, and attend to it with the ear of our hearts. Let us welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice. St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547) adapted

A foretaste of heaven

Explore the Scriptures Luke 24:13-35 Now on that same day two of them were going to a village called Emmaus, about seven miles from Jerusalem, and talking with each other about all these things that had happened. While they were talking and discussing, Jesus himself came near and went with them, but their eyes were kept from recognising him. And he said to them, ‘What are you discussing with each other while you walk along?’ They stood still, looking sad. Then one of them, whose name was Cleopas, answered him, ‘Are you the only stranger in Jerusalem who does not know the things that have taken place there in these days?’ He asked them, ‘What things?’ They replied, ‘The things about Jesus of Nazareth, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word before God and all the people, and how our chief priests and leaders handed him over to be condemned to death and crucified him. But we had hoped that he was the one to redeem Israel. Yes, and besides all this, it is now the third day since these things took place. Moreover, some women of our group astounded us. They were at the tomb early this morning, and when they did not find his body there, they came back and told us that they had indeed seen a vision of angels who said that he was alive. Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just as the women had said; but they did not see him.’ Then he said to them, ‘Oh, how foolish you are, and how slow of heart to believe all that the prophets have declared! Was it not necessary that the Messiah should suffer these things and then enter into his glory?’ Then beginning with Moses and all the prophets, he interpreted to them the things about himself in all the scriptures. As they came near the village to which they were going, he walked ahead as if he were going on. But they urged him strongly, saying, ‘Stay with us, because it is almost evening and the day is now nearly over.’ So he went in to stay with them. When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognised him; and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, ‘Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?’ That same hour they got up and returned to Jerusalem; and they found the eleven and their companions gathered together. They were saying, ‘The Lord has risen indeed, and he has appeared to Simon!’ Then they told what had happened on the road, and how he had been made known to them in the breaking of the bread.

A foretaste of heaven

Please take a few moments in silence to reflect on the passage, then share a word or phrase that has struck you. Pause to think about what others have said then after a second reading of the passage you can share a little more.

Reflection What sets Catholics and Orthodox apart from many in the ‘reformed’ Christian tradition is a firm belief in the real presence of Christ in the consecrated bread and wine. St Francis of Assisi writes of the centrality of this precious and remarkable mystery to our faith: ‘the Most High Himself attests that this is “my Body and the Blood of the New Covenant” and that “whoever feeds on my Flesh and drinks my Blood will have everlasting life” (John 6:55). Daily he comes in humility, daily he descends from the Father upon the altar in the hands of the priest. As he appeared to the Apostles in true flesh so he appears to us in the sacred bread; as we see with our bodily eyes bread and wine so with the eyes of the Spirit do we see the holy Body and Blood of our living God, living and true.’ In the Scripture passage we read from today, we hear about two apostles on the road to Emmaus – apostles who saw him in the flesh not once but often and yet they did not recognise him except in the breaking of the bread. This passage of Scripture neatly describes what we experience as the Mass. Two apostles meet a stranger and together they walk, they hear the Scriptures explained and share a meal. Christ disappears from their sight (Luke 24:31) but he made his presence known to them in the breaking of bread (24:35). We acknowledge Christ’s presence in a variety of ways: in the gathered congregation, in the word and in the person of the priest celebrating the Mass. Most particularly we affirm his presence in the Eucharist with a resolute ‘Amen’ when receiving Holy Communion. Christ said ‘this is my Body, this is my Blood’

Christ’s presence

The principal ways by which Christ is present in the Church are gradually revealed in the Mass. He is present firstly in the assembly of the faithful, gathered in his name; he is present in his word, which is read in the Church and commented upon in the Homily; he is present in the minister; he is present finally, and above all else, in the Eucharistic species – a totally unique presence because in the sacrament of the Eucharist, Christ is wholly and entirely present, God and man, substantially and without interruption. It is precisely for this reason that the presence of Christ in the sacred species is called real: ‘This presence is called “real” not to exclude the idea that the others are “real” too, but rather to indicate presence par excellence’ (Mysterium fidei, 39).

A foretaste of heaven

and at the Last Supper he provided us with the means by which we recall his life, his passion, death and resurrection; the means by which we are fed and can enter into his life. When we ordinarily speak of remembering, we recall a past event, something which will never be again. For Christ and his contemporaries to remember something was to make it real, to piece it back together (re-member as opposed to dismember). Following Jesus’ command to do this ‘in memory’ of him, the bread and wine are transformed and we meet him, our Lord and Saviour. We consume him and in turn we are consumed – made part of his Body. Like the Apostles we can truly say that ‘we have seen the Lord’ (John 20:25). His warmth and light remain in us and shine for and warm everyone we may meet. How do we prepare to receive our Risen Lord in Holy Communion? How does our receipt of Christ in the Eucharist impact on us? Closing Prayers You may wish to end this session with some diﬀerent prayers or silent reflection. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Notes

Keeping in touch... you can subscribe to regular, weekly reflections on Scripture by following our twitter feed! Simply log in to Twitter and search for @dowsmallgroups

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The Institution of the Eucharist (Luke 22:19-20) taken from the pages of the Bulley Bible in Westminster Cathedral

Why do we kneel at Mass?

session three

Opening prayer Gloria taken from the Roman Missal, Third Edition (in use across the English-speaking world from 27 November 2011)

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will.

We praise you, we bless you, we adore you, we glorify you, we give you thanks for your great glory, Lord God, heavenly King, O God, almighty Father.

Lord Jesus Christ, Only Begotten Son, Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, you take away the sins of the world, have mercy on us; you take away the sins of the world, receive our prayer; you are seated at the right hand of the Father, have mercy on us.

For you alone are the Holy One, you alone are the Lord, you alone are the Most High, Jesus Christ, with the Holy Spirit, in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

All:

A foretaste of heaven

Introduction to Reading of Scripture Let us listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, and attend to it with the ear of our hearts. Let us welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.

St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547) adapted

Explore the Scriptures Luke 7:36-50 One of the Pharisees asked Jesus to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee’s house and took his place at the table. And a woman in the city, who was a sinner, having learned that he was eating in the Pharisee’s house, brought an alabaster jar of ointment. She stood behind him at his feet, weeping, and began to bathe his feet with her tears and to dry them with her hair. Then she continued kissing his feet and anointing them with the ointment. Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw it, he said to himself, ‘If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what kind of woman this is who is touching him—that she is a sinner.’ Jesus spoke up and said to him, ‘Simon, I have something to say to you.’ ‘Teacher,’ he replied, ‘speak.’ ‘A certain creditor had two debtors; one owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. When they could not pay, he cancelled the debts for both of them. Now which of them will love him more?’ Simon answered, ‘I suppose the one for whom he cancelled the greater debt.’ And Jesus said to him, ‘You have judged rightly.’ Then turning towards the woman, he said to Simon, ‘Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has bathed my feet with her tears and dried them with her hair. You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. Therefore, I tell you, her sins, which were many, have been forgiven; hence she has shown great love. But the one to whom little is forgiven, loves little.’ Then he said to her, ‘Your sins are forgiven.’ But those who were at the table with him began to say among themselves, ‘Who is this who even forgives sins?’ And he said to the woman, ‘Your faith has saved you; go in peace.’ Please take a few moments in silence to reflect on the passage, then share a word or phrase that has struck you. Pause to think about what others have said then after a second reading of the passage you can share a little more.

A foretaste of heaven

Reflection Today’s Scripture passage leaves many questions unanswered. Its not clear, for example, what the ‘sinful’ woman was guilty of, while scholars disagree as to whether her actions were the result of her being forgiven or the cause of her being forgiven. Yet, it is clear that the woman who humbled herself before Christ and withstood Simon the Pharisee’s unspoken hostility, had a tremendous capacity for love - a love which was altogether reverential, expressing itself in the washing, drying and anointing of Christ’s feet with her own tears, hair and lips. In relation to Christ we are no different to the woman in today’s gospel. We are all redeemed sinners, the unworthy recipients of God’s forgiveness. Most of us will know from a very early age the joy of being reconciled; when our anxiety about things said or done was overcome with a reassuring word or gesture, signalling that all was forgiven. At its heart the Eucharist, the Mass, celebrates both reconciliation and joy, recalling, as the words of institution put it, ‘the new and everlasting covenant’ where Christ offers himself to the Father for the forgiveness of our sins. When the woman learned that Jesus was dining with Simon, she fetched a jar of ointment and went to be with him. We may not be able to wash Christ’s feet like the woman in today’s Scripture passage – though as we tend to the needs of others we remember that we can see Christ in their faces too – but we do find Jesus Christ himself, present in the Eucharist. We don’t need to wait until the Second Coming to greet Our Lord and cherish his presence. In the Mass he humbles himself that we might feast on his Body and Blood. ‘Through tone of voice, gestures, posture and bearing’ we should seek to show our awareness of this fact (Mane nobiscum Domine,18). It may be that the world at large, much like

The Feast of Corpus Christi (Second Sunday after Pentecost)

Instituted in 1264 when Pope Urban IV issued the papal bull Transiturus, Corpus Christi is a solemnity and a holy day of obligation. Traditionally celebrated on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday it has since been moved, in England and Wales and most English-speaking countries, to the Second Sunday after Pentecost. The appearance of Corpus Christi as a feast in the Christian calendar was primarily due to the petitions of the 13th century Augustinian nun Juliana of Liège and followed claims of a miracle in which blood had issued from a host. The miracle was authenticated and later proclaimed a Eucharistic Miracle. Gospel reading (Year A): John 6:51-58; (Year B): Mark 14:12-16, 2226); (Year C): Luke 9:11-17; Morning Prayer: Malachi 1:11; Midday Prayer: Proverbs 9:1-2; Evening Prayer: 1 Cor. 11:23-25

A foretaste of heaven

Simon in today’s gospel, will look on with incredulity, failing to understand that in our ritual and actions we seek, with the woman, to express what words cannot always say. What have I lavished upon Christ? What has it cost me? Where have I fallen on my knees, humble before him? Faced with all that he has done for us, how do we reverence Christ present in the Eucharist? How do I acknowledge who is before me? Closing Prayers You may wish to end this session with some diﬀerent prayers or silent reflection. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Notes

Mull Over Something Scriptural... At baptism we receive gifts from the Holy Spirit, strengthened in confirmation. Which of these is the most important to us? How often do we pray for courage and wisdom? How often for the gift of reverence? – Isaiah 11:2-3

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The Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet from the Codex Bruchsal (Germany, c.1220)

How is the Mass a sacrifice?

session four

Opening prayer

Taken from Psalm 96(95):1-6,8-9 Leader: O sing to the Lord a new song;

sing to the Lord, all the earth. Sing to the Lord, bless his name; tell of his salvation from day to day.

Group: Declare his glory among the nations,

his marvellous works among all the peoples. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; he is to be revered above all gods.

Leader: For all the gods of the peoples are idols,

but the Lord made the heavens. Honour and majesty are before him; strength and beauty are in his sanctuary.

Group: Ascribe to the Lord the glory due his name;

bring an offering, and come into his courts. Worship the Lord in holy splendour; tremble before him, all the earth.

All:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

Introduction to Reading of Scripture Let us listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, and attend to it with the ear of our hearts. Let us welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.

St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547) adapted

A foretaste of heaven

Explore the Scriptures Genesis 22:1-18 After these things God tested Abraham. He said to him, ‘Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Take your son, your only son Isaac, whom you love, and go to the land of Moriah, and offer him there as a burnt-offering on one of the mountains that I shall show you.’ So Abraham rose early in the morning, saddled his donkey, and took two of his young men with him, and his son Isaac; he cut the wood for the burnt-offering, and set out and went to the place in the distance that God had shown him. On the third day Abraham looked up and saw the place far away. Then Abraham said to his young men, ‘Stay here with the donkey; the boy and I will go over there; we will worship, and then we will come back to you.’ Abraham took the wood of the burnt-offering and laid it on his son Isaac, and he himself carried the fire and the knife. So the two of them walked on together. Isaac said to his father Abraham, ‘Father!’ And he said, ‘Here I am, my son.’ He said, ‘The fire and the wood are here, but where is the lamb for a burnt-offering?’ Abraham said, ‘God himself will provide the lamb for a burnt-offering, my son.’ So the two of them walked on together. When they came to the place that God had shown him, Abraham built an altar there and laid the wood in order. He bound his son Isaac, and laid him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then Abraham reached out his hand and took the knife to kill his son. But the angel of the Lord called to him from heaven, and said, ‘Abraham, Abraham!’ And he said, ‘Here I am.’ He said, ‘Do not lay your hand on the boy or do anything to him; for now I know that you fear God, since you have not withheld your son, your only son, from me.’ And Abraham looked up and saw a ram, caught in a thicket by its horns. Abraham went and took the ram and offered it up as a burnt-offering instead of his son. So Abraham called that place ‘The Lord will provide’; as it is said to this day, ‘On the mount of the Lord it shall be provided.’ The angel of the Lord called to Abraham a second time from heaven, and said, ‘By myself I have sworn, says the Lord: Because you have done this, and have not withheld your son, your only son, I will indeed bless you, and I will make your offspring as numerous as the stars of heaven and as the sand that is on the seashore. And your offspring shall possess the gate of their enemies, and by your offspring shall all the nations of the earth gain blessing for themselves, because you have obeyed my voice.’ Please take a few moments in silence to reflect on the passage, then share a word or phrase that has struck you. Pause to think about what others have said then after a second reading of the passage you can share a little more.

A foretaste of heaven

Reflection The word sacrifice tends to be associated with the endurance of pain and suffering as well as the giving up of pleasurable things and pastimes. However, we do not believe that celebrating the Eucharist is for us some kind of endurance test. On the contrary, we believe that in celebrating the Eucharist, far from going without, we are nourished. Moreover, even though we call the Mass a sacrifice we do not believe that Christ is crucified again and again every time we celebrate the Eucharist. So, if we are fed rather than going without, and nothing is killed, why in our celebration of the Eucharist do we speak of participating in a sacrifice? Theologically speaking, a sacrifice is a ritual or holy act. More especially, it is the offering of a gift valued by the giver by which God is pleased and the giver’s lot is improved. In the Mass the gift which is offered, and which is pleasing to God, is the gift of Christ on the Cross. The gift of his Son, his perfect Son, is pleasing to God and in our Christian understanding it is the offering up of this gift – Christ on the Cross – which overcomes the gulf which sin creates between us and God. We benefit because the prospect of eternal life – life in communion with God – is restored. St John Vianney, sums this up most beautifully when he says: ‘All the good works in the world are not equal to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass because they are the works of men; but the Mass is the work of God. Martyrdom is nothing in comparison for it is but the sacrifice of man to God; but the Mass is the sacrifice of God for man’. The famous African spiritual asks the question, were you there when they crucified my Lord? It seems at first sight an odd question, but in a real sense we must answer with a resounding ‘yes, I was there!’. Why? Because it was our sin, our faults and failures, that Christ carried on the Cross – the sin of all people; those who had lived and died before him, those who had the opportunity of living and walking with him during his time on earth, and those, like us, who would come after. It is for this reason that Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross is referred to as

The Passion and the pelican

In medieval Europe, the pelican was thought to be particularly attentive to her young, to the point of providing her own blood when no other food was available. As a result, the pelican became a symbol of the Passion of Jesus and of the Eucharist (for example in the hymn ‘Humbly We Adore Thee’, by St. Thomas Aquinas the second to last verse refers to Christ as the loving divine pelican). It also became a symbol for self-sacrifice, refering to the story of the pelican killing its young and then resurrecting them with its blood, clearly analogous to the sacrifice of Jesus. This image has since been used on stained glass, carvings and vestments.

A foretaste of heaven

a timeless or eternal act. It is something which touches upon people of all times and generations. For sure, Christ was crucified two thousand years ago, but his self-sacrifice was for each of us today. As we were reminded in session two, it is in the Eucharist, the paschal mystery, that Christ’s life, Christ’s death and Christ’s resurrection is made present to us. Here, in Word (the Scriptures) and Sacrament (outward signs of inward grace) we are drawn into the life of Christ. In the course of our daily lives – as we freely give for others - we have the opportunity of imitating Christ’s sacrifice. In the Mass our lives, our joys and sorrows, our successes and failures are symbolised in the offering of bread and wine; like us these elements which will become Christ’s Body and Blood are ordinary and fragile. The Mass is a sacrifice because it is here that we offer our lives to God, and that our lives are caught up into, and transformed by, Christ’s offering of himself on the Cross; an offering pleasing to God. What can you oﬀer to God today? How would you explain sacrifice to a friend or child? Closing Prayers You may wish to end this session with some diﬀerent prayers or silent reflection. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Notes

Did you know... the word sacrament comes from the Greek word for oath? In conferring and receiving the sacraments we make a binding agreement before and with our loving God.

A foretaste of heaven

What should I be â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;doingâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; at Mass?

session five

Opening prayer

From Psalms 119 (118):10-16 and 27 (26):4 Leader: With my whole heart I seek you;

do not let me stray from your commandments. I treasure your word in my heart, so that I may not sin against you.

Group: Blessed are you, O Lord;

teach me your statutes. With my lips I declare all the ordinances of your mouth.

Leader: I delight in the way of your decrees

as much as in all riches. I will meditate on your precepts, and fix my eyes on your ways.

Group: I will delight in your statutes;

I will not forget your word.

All:

One thing I asked of the Lord, that will I seek after: to live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to inquire in his temple.

All:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A foretaste of heaven

Introduction to Reading of Scripture Let us listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, and attend to it with the ear of our hearts. Let us welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.

St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547) adapted

Explore the Scriptures Luke 4:14-21 Then Jesus, filled with the power of the Spirit, returned to Galilee, and a report about him spread through all the surrounding country. He began to teach in their synagogues and was praised by everyone. When he came to Nazareth, where he had been brought up, he went to the synagogue on the sabbath day, as was his custom. He stood up to read, and the scroll of the prophet Isaiah was given to him. He unrolled the scroll and found the place where it was written: The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour. And he rolled up the scroll, gave it back to the attendant, and sat down. The eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on him. Then he began to say to them, ‘Today this scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing.’ Please take a few moments in silence to reflect on the passage, then share a word or phrase that has struck you. Pause to think about what others have said then after a second reading of the passage you can share a little more.

Reflection In the publicity surrounding the 2012 London Olympics the health benefits of sport are well publicised and people are continually encouraged to join others in physical activity. Participating would seem to be a matter of ‘doing’. In their document, Sacrosanctum Concillium, the Second Vatican Council Fathers spoke of ‘active participation’ (actuosa participatio) and the initial response was a concerted effort to visibly involve as many as possible in the celebration of the Eucharist. Participation meant ‘doing’ something.

A foretaste of heaven

In The Spirit of Liturgy, however, Pope Benedict XVI points out that ‘active participation’ is not so much about ‘doing’ but being drawn in to what is being done. The central action of the liturgy - the work of Christ Jesus who became man, suffered, died and rose again to reunite each of us with his Father in heaven – is undoubtedly clear but the question remains: how does everyone have a part, that is participate? Like seasoned air travellers who may not glance up from their book when the safety announcements are made, having heard it all before, we may have stopped focusing on what is actually happening at Mass. The new English translation of the Roman Missal presents us with a real opportunity for concentrating on the words we use. In a certain way, we can behave like those undertaking their very first flight – paying particular attention to what is said and done. In his recent Apostolic Letter, Sacramentum Caritatis (The Sacrament of Charity) the Holy Father reminded us that liturgy is much more than a collection of ceremonies handed down from the early Christians. While the Church’s treasure of symbols and gestures help us to visibly participate in the Mass, the incense, holy water and the offertory gifts help us to go beyond the visible to the invisible, to raise our hearts and minds to God. Just as the eyes of all in the synagogue were fixed on Christ (Luke 4:20), we are invited to do the same: • We begin our celebration of the Eucharist by reflecting on our faults – calling to

From the National Pastoral Letter on the new translation of the Roman Missal So what does this new translation offer us? First of all, there is a fuller expression of the content of the original texts. Then, there is a closer connection with the Sacred Scriptures which inspire so much of our liturgy. Also, there is a recovery of a vocabulary that enriches our understanding of the mystery we celebrate. All of this requires a unique style of language and expression, one that takes us out of ourselves and draws us into the sacred, the transcendent and the divine. The publication of the new translation of the Missal is a special moment of grace in the English-speaking world. It offers an opportunity to deepen our knowledge and understanding of the mystery we celebrate each week. This itself will help us to move towards that fuller and more conscious and active participation in the liturgy to which the Church invites us. It will help us also to examine the dignity with which we celebrate the ‘source and summit’ of the Church’s life (Bishops of England and Wales, 29 May 2011).

A foretaste of heaven

mind those instances when we have turned us away from our heavenly Father – and ask his forgiveness for he is full of gentleness and compassion. • We listen to the words of Holy Scripture giving us direction for our lives. • We join our daily sacrifices to the altar to join with Christ’s ultimate gift of himself, praying that God’s will, not ours, be done. • We pray with Jesus for the grace to imitate him while on this earth and to unite us with his heavenly Father in eternal life. What we pray in our hearts and minds is manifested in the responses we utter and the gestures we make. In this way we deeply and richly participate in the Mass. Reflecting on a recent experience of Mass, at what moments have you really felt a part of what is going on? What phrases and parts of the Mass really stick in your mind? What has helped you overcome the distractions you may have experienced? Closing Prayers You may wish to end this session with some diﬀerent prayers or silent reflection. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Notes

Keeping in touch... you can now become a ‘friend’ of the Diocese of Westminster’s small groups on Facebook. We are hoping to develop something of an online community. You can find us at www.facebook.com/dowsmallgroups

A foretaste of heaven

Why do we say ‘with all the choirs of session six angels’? Opening prayer Taken from Psalm 148: 1-6, 11-13. This Psalm is sometimes referred to as the ‘cosmic hymn of praise’. Leader: Praise the Lord!

Praise the Lord from the heavens; praise him in the heights! Praise him, all his angels; praise him, all his host!

Group: Praise him, sun and moon;

praise him, all you shining stars! Praise him, you highest heavens, and you waters above the heavens!

Leader: Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for he commanded and they were created. He established them for ever and ever; he fixed their bounds, which cannot be passed.

Group: Kings of the earth and all peoples,

princes and all rulers of the earth! Young men and women alike, old and young together!

Leader: Let them praise the name of the Lord,

for his name alone is exalted; his glory is above earth and heaven.

All:

Glory be to the Father, and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

A foretaste of heaven

Introduction to Reading of Scripture Let us listen carefully to the Word of the Lord, and attend to it with the ear of our hearts. Let us welcome it, and faithfully put it into practice.

St. Benedict of Nursia (c.480-c.547) adapted

Explore the Scriptures Revelation 7:1-4, 9-17 This reading is the first reading from the feast of All Saints

After this I saw four angels standing at the four corners of the earth, holding back the four winds of the earth so that no wind could blow on earth or sea or against any tree. I saw another angel ascending from the rising of the sun, having the seal of the living God, and he called with a loud voice to the four angels who had been given power to damage earth and sea, saying, ‘Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees, until we have marked the servants of our God with a seal on their foreheads.’ And I heard the number of those who were sealed, one hundred and forty-four thousand, sealed out of every tribe of the people of Israel. After this I looked, and there was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, from all tribes and peoples and languages, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, robed in white, with palm branches in their hands. They cried out in a loud voice, saying, ‘Salvation belongs to our God who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb!’ And all the angels stood around the throne and around the elders and the four living creatures, and they fell on their faces before the throne and worshipped God, singing, ‘Amen! Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honour and power and might be to our God for ever and ever! Amen.’ Then one of the elders addressed me, saying, ‘Who are these, robed in white, and where have they come from?’ I said to him, ‘Sir, you are the one that knows.’ Then he said to me, ‘These are they who have come out of the great ordeal; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb. For this reason they are before the throne of God, and worship him day and night within his temple, and the one who is seated on the throne will shelter them. They will hunger no more, and thirst no more; the sun will not strike them, nor any scorching heat; for the Lamb at the centre of the throne will be their shepherd, and he will guide them to springs of the water of life, and God will wipe away every tear from their eyes.’ Please take a few moments in silence to reflect on the passage, then share a word or phrase that has struck you. Pause to think about what others have said then after a second reading of the passage you can share a little more.

A foretaste of heaven

Reflection In the Eucharist we recall the Last Supper, itself a celebration of the Passover which Jesus shared with his closest friends before his death. The Eucharist we celebrate is much more than a simple meal. In session two we shared that Christ Jesus is truly present with us at Mass, as real for us as he was for the apostles in the upper room. In session four we reflected on how, in the Eucharist we are drawn into the life of Christ. United with Christ, who lives and reigns with the Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, the Eucharist offers us a foretaste of heaven where we will live in communion with God. St. Paul prompts us to broaden our minds and our hearts to accept this reality in his letter to the Ephesians: ‘May Christ live in your hearts through faith, and then, planted in love and built on love, you will with all the saints have the strength to grasp the breadth and the length, the height and the depth,’ until we are filled utterly with God (3:16-19). By the Eucharistic celebration we already unite ourselves with the heavenly liturgy and anticipate eternal life, when God will be all in all (CCC, 1326, see also CCC, 1370). Many things when seen in the context of the liturgy make sense. Our lives, related to Christ and each other in our celebration, find a touchstone - both receiving from and giving back to God. No wonder that the Church has often referred to the Eucharist as the ‘source and summit’. The same is true of the Book of Revelation from which we have just read. What we read in the final book of the Bible, we experience at Mass on a Sunday. From the readings (the messages to the Churches of Ephesus, Smyrna, Pergamum, Thyatira, Sardis, Philadelphia and Laodicea in chapters 2 and 3) to the Sanctus (4:8) and the instruction to lift up our hearts (11:12). It is through our understanding of the Mass that we clearly see who is the Lamb in the Book of Revelation (5:6) – Jesus the Lamb who takes away the

The Book of Revelation and the Mass

The final book of the Bible, Revelation (perhaps a better translation of the Greek apokalupsis would be unveiling), is not just a simple prophecy of the end of the world but is a book which reveals something of the truth to all people of all times. Like the Book of Daniel it was composed as resistance literature to meet a crisis – in this case the persecution of the early Church. It evokes images of God’s power, the benefits of right-living and the victory of Christ. The Church Fathers understood the Book of Revelation or Apocalypse to symbolise our Eucharistic celebration, a celebration that is offered in heaven as it is on earth. Our Eucharistic banquet is a foretaste of the heavenly, eschatological banquet that we will, we pray, share in when our time on earth comes to its close (cf. Matthew 26: 27-29).

A foretaste of heaven

sins of the world, who we implore for his mercy, who grants us his peace. It is important to hold on to this vision, seeing our Eucharistic celebration as a time and place where heaven and earth touch, seeing it as a place of nourishment and succour for living a truly Christian life in the here and now. Blessed Pope John Paul II reminded us of this when he wrote that: ‘the Eucharist is a glorious ray of the heavenly Jerusalem which pierces the clouds of our history and lights up our journey… Certainly the Christian vision leads to the expectation of “new heavens” and “a new earth” (Revelation 21:1), but this increases, rather than lessens, our sense of responsibility for the world today… [and] the task of contributing with the light of the Gospel to the building of a more human world, a world fully in harmony with God’s plan’ (The Church of the Eucharist, 19-20). How often are you able to reflect on Scripture as part of your personal prayer routine? Are there any passages that you have noticed which are reflected in our Sunday liturgy? Is it possible to see our Eucharistic celebration as the touching point of heaven and earth? Closing Prayers You may wish to end this session with some diﬀerent prayers or silent reflection. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers – Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ

Notes

A foretaste of heaven

A foretaste

of heaven

Twelve scenes from the Life of Christ by an anonymous Dutch artist (c.1450-60) on display in the Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam

DailySunday Prayer to Saturday

The daily prayers on the following pages are drawn from the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours). Each day contains a hymn, a Scripture reading, a psalm or Old Testament canticle and a selection of prayers taken from Holy Week and the feast of Corpus Christi. Together with the Mass, the Divine Office (Liturgy of the Hours) constitutes the official public prayer life of the Church. It is celebrated, under different names, in both the Eastern and Western Churches. â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;The Office is... the prayer not only of the clergy but of the whole People of God.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Apostolic Constitution, Canticum Laudis

A foretaste of heaven

Sunday - One Bread, One Body Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us.

Antiphon The Lord is merciful, he gives food to those who fear him to make them remember his wonders.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the Psalmody beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world Psalm 110(111) without end. Amen. (Alleluia) I will thank the Lord with all my heart omit Alleluias during Lent in the meeting of the just and their assembly. Hymn Great are the works of the Lord, Hail our Saviour’s glorious body, to be pondered by all who love them. Which his virgin mother bore; Majestic and glorious his work, Hail the blood which, shed for sinners, his justice stands firm for ever. Did a broken world restore; He makes us remember his wonders. Hail the sacrament most holy, The Lord is compassion and love. Flesh and blood of Christ adore! On that paschal evening see him With the chosen twelve recline, To the law he is obedient In its feast of love divine, Love divine, the new law giving Gives himself as bread and wine! By his word the Word almighty Makes of bread his flesh indeed; Wine becomes his very life-blood; Faith God’s living Word must heed! Faith alone may safely guide us Where the senses cannot lead! Glory be to God the Father, Praise to his coequal Son, Adoration to the Spirit, Bond of love, in Godhead one! Blest be God by all creation Joyously while ages run! Amen.

He gives food to those who fear him; keeps his covenant ever in mind. He has shown his might to his people by giving them the lands of the nations. His works are justice and truth, his precepts are all of them sure, standing firm for ever and ever; they are made in uprightness and truth. He has sent deliverance to his people and established his covenant for ever. Holy his name, to be feared. To fear the Lord is the first stage of wisdom; all who do so prove themselves wise. His praise shall last for ever! Glory be…

Antiphon The Lord is merciful, he gives food to those who fear him to make them Pange Lingua remember his wonders.

A foretaste of heaven

Reading 1 Corinthians 10:16-17 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. Short Responsory R He gave them the bread of heaven to eat, alleluia. V We have tasted the food of angels. Glory beâ&#x20AC;Ś

Our Fatherâ&#x20AC;Ś Concluding prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your Church an admirable sacrament as the abiding memorial of your passion. Teach us so to worship the sacred mystery of your Body and Blood, that its redeeming power may sanctify us always. Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Antiphon I am the living bread which came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will love for ever, alleluia. Benedictus (if said in the morning) or Magnificat (if said in the evening) see inside front cover for these prayers Intercessions Joyfully we make our prayer to Jesus Christ, the bread of life, and we say: R Happy are those who are called to your supper, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, as the manna came from the heavens, you nourish your Church with your body and blood: in the strength of your food we will walk in your paths. R Happy are those who are called to your supper, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, unseen guest at our banquet, you stand at our door and knock: come to us, fill our hearts with your truth and stay with us. R Happy are those who are called to your supper, Lord.

A foretaste of heaven

Monday - By your cross and resurrection Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us.

Psalmody Canticle 28 (Revelation 11:17-18,12:10b-12a)

Paschal triumph, Easter joy, Only sin can this destroy; From sin’s death do Thou set free Souls reborn, O Lord, in Thee. Hymns of glory and of praise, Father, to Thee we raise; Risen Lord, all praise to Thee, Ever with the Spirit be.

Antiphon I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in the land of the living.

We give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, Glory be to the Father and to the Son who are and who were, that you have and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the taken your great power and begun to beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world reign. without end. Amen. (Alleluia) omit Alleluias during Lent The nations raged, but your wrath came and the time for the dead to be judged, Hymn for rewarding your servants, the prophets At the Lamb’s high feast we sing, and saints, and those who fear your Praise to our victorious King, name, both small and great. Who hath washed us in the tide Flowing from his piercèd side; Now the salvation and the power Praise we Him, whose love divine and the kingdom of our God Gives His sacred blood for wine, and the authority of his Christ have come, Gives His body for the feast, for the accuser of our brethren has been Christ the Victim, Christ the Priest. thrown down, who accuses them day and night before our God. Mighty Victim from the sky, Hell’s fierce powers beneath Thee lie; And they have conquered him by the Thou hast conquered in the fight, blood of the Lamb and by the word of Thou hast brought us life and light; their testimony, for they loved not their Now no more can death appall, lives even unto death. Rejoice then, O Now no more the grave enthrall; heaven and you that dwell therein! Thou hast opened Paradise, And in Thee Thy saints shall rise. Glory be...

Reading Hosea 6:1-3 Come, let us return to the Lord. He has torn us to pieces, but he will heal us; he has struck us down, but he will bandage our wounds; after a day or two he will bring us back to life, on the third day Antiphon I am sure I shall see the Lord’s goodness in he will raise us and we shall live in his presence. the land of the living.

A foretaste of heaven

Short Responsory R He gave them the bread of heaven to eat, alleluia. V We have tasted the food of angels. Glory be…

Concluding prayer Almighty, ever-living God, whose Only-begotten Son descended to the realm of the dead, and rose from there to glory, grant that your faithful people, Antiphon who were buried with him in baptism, Save us, Saviour of the world. By the Cross may, by his resurrection, obtain eternal life. and the shedding of your blood you have We make our prayer through Christ, our redeemed us. Come to help us, Lord, our Lord. God. Amen. Benedictus (if said in the morning) or Magnificat (if said in the evening) see inside front cover for these prayers Intercessions At the supper to which all are invited, Christ gave his body and blood for the life of the world. Earnestly we beseech him, saying: R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life. Lord Jesus, heavenly physician, you give an eternal remedy and a pledge of resurrection to those who eat your bread – grant health to the ailing and a real hope to sinners. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life. Lord Jesus Christ, king who is to come, we know that whenever we celebrate these mysteries, we proclaim your death until you come again – bring all those who have died in you to share your resurrection. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life. Our Father…

A foretaste of heaven

Tuesday - At the altar of the Lord Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us.

Antiphon Truly I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the true bread from Glory be to the Father and to the Son heaven. and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world Psalmody without end. Amen. (Alleluia) Psalm 115 (116) omit Alleluias during Lent

Hymn Firmly I believe and truly God is Three, and God is One; And I next acknowledge duly Manhood taken by the Son. And I trust and hope most fully In that Manhood crucified; And each thought and deed unruly Do to death, as He has died. Simply to His grace and wholly Light and life and strength belong, And I love supremely, solely, Him the holy, Him the strong. And I hold in veneration, For the love of Him alone, Holy Church as His creation, And her teachings are His own. And I take with joy whatever Now besets me, pain or fear, And with a strong will I sever All the ties which bind me here.

I trusted, even when I said: ’I am sorely afflicted,’ and when I said in my alarm: ’No man can be trusted.’

How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me? The cup of salvation I will raise; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people. O precious in the eyes of the Lord is the death of his faithful. Your servant, Lord, your servant am I; you have loosened my bonds. A thanksgiving sacrifice I make; I will call on the Lord’s name. My vows to the Lord I will fulfill before all his people, in the courts of the house of the Lord, in your midst, O Jerusalem. Glory be...

Adoration aye be given, With and through the angelic host, To the God of earth and Heaven, Father, Son and Holy Ghost.

Antiphon Truly I say to you, it was not Moses who gave you bread from heaven, it is my Father who gives you the true bread from Blessed John Henry Newman 1801-1890 heaven.

A foretaste of heaven

Reading Wisdom 16:20 And your own people Lord? Them you did foster with the food of angels; bread from heaven you set before them, which no labour of theirs had made ready, every taste uniting that could content, of every appetite the welcome choice.

Lord Jesus Christ, manna from heaven, you make into one all who share the one bread – grant peace and concord to all who believe in you. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life.

Short Responsory R I will go to the altar of the Lord V I will partake of Christ who renews my youth. Glory be…

Concluding prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your Church an admirable sacrament as the abiding memorial of your passion. Teach us so to worship the sacred mystery of your Body and Blood, that its redeeming power may sanctify us always. Who live and reign with the Father and the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Antiphon O sacred feast in which we partake of Christ: his sufferings are remembered, our minds are filled with his grace and we receive a pledge of the glory that is to be ours.

Our Father…

Benedictus (if said in the morning) or Magnificat (if said in the evening) see inside front cover for these prayers Intercessions Lord Jesus, Son of the Living God, you have commanded us to celebrate the Eucharistic meal in remembrance of you – enrich your Church with the worthy celebration of these mysteries. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life. Lord Jesus Christ, eternal high priest, you have committed to your priests the ministration of your sacraments – help them to do their part in your work with unfailing gladness of genuine charity. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life.

A foretaste of heaven

Wednesday - Shepherd and sacrifice Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us. Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen. (Alleluia) omit Alleluias during Lent

Hymn Be Thou my vision, O Lord of my heart; Naught be all else to me, save that Thou art. Thou my best thought, by day or by night, Waking or sleeping, Thy presence my light. Be Thou my Wisdom, Thou my true Word; I ever with Thee, Thou with me, Lord; Thou my great Father, I thy true son; Thou in me dwelling, and I with Thee one.

Psalmody

Psalm 22(23) The Lord is my shepherd; there is nothing I shall want. Fresh and green are the pastures where he gives me repose. Near restful waters he leads me, to revive my drooping spirit. He guides me along the right path; he is true to his name. If I should walk in the valley of darkness no evil would I fear. You are there with your crook and your staff; with these you give me comfort.

You have prepared a banquet for me in the sight of my foes. My head you have anointed with oil; Be Thou my battleshield, sword for my fight, my cup is overflowing. Be Thou my dignity, Thou my delight. Thou my soul’s shelter, Thou my high tower. Surely goodness and kindness shall Raise Thou me heavenward, O Power of follow me my power. all the days of my life. In the Lord’s own house shall I dwell Riches I heed not, nor man’s empty praise, for ever and ever. Thou mine inheritance, now and always: Thou and Thou only, first in my heart, Antiphon High King of heaven, my Treasure Thou art. Christ the Lord is a priest forever. Like Melchizedek he made an offering of High King of heaven, my victory won, bread and wine. May I reach heaven’s joys, O bright heav’ns Son! Reading Proverbs 9:1-2 Heart of my own heart, whatever befall, Wisdom has built herself a house, she Still be my vision, O ruler of all. has erected her seven pillars, she has slaughtered her beasts, prepared her Antiphon wine, she has laid her table. Christ the Lord is a priest forever. Like Melchizedek he made an offering of bread and wine.

A foretaste of heaven

Short responsory R Wisdom has built herself a house. V She has prepared her wine and set her table. Glory be…

Concluding prayer Lord Jesus Christ, you gave your Church an admirable sacrament as the abiding memorial of your passion. Teach us so to worship Antiphon the sacred mystery of your Body and Blood, Lord, how good you are and how gentle that its redeeming power may sanctify us is your spirit. When you wished to show always. your goodness to your sons you gave Who live and reign with the Father and them bread from heaven, filling the the Holy Spirit, God, for ever and ever. hungry with good things and sending the Amen. rich away empty. Benedictus (if said in the morning) or Magnificat (if said in the evening) see inside front cover for these prayers

Intercessions Lord Jesus Christ, high priest of the new and eternal covenant, on the altar of the Cross you offered a perfect sacrifice to the Father – teach us how to offer it with you. R Happy are those who are called to your supper, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, king of peace and justice, you consecrated bread and wine as a sign of your self-giving – unite us as victims to yourself. R Happy are those who are called to your supper, Lord. Lord Jesus Christ, obedient always to your Father’s will, throughout the world the Church renews your offering from the rising of the sun to its setting – unite in one body those who share the one bread. R Happy are those who are called to your supper, Lord. Our Father…

A foretaste of heaven

Thursday - Priest and Victim Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us.

Antiphon Lord, guide me in your truth.

Psalmody Glory be to the Father and to the Son Psalm 118(119): 17-24 III (Gimel) and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the Bless your servant and I shall live beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world and obey your word. without end. Amen. (Alleluia) Open my eyes that I may see omit Alleluias during Lent the wonders of your law. Hymn Godhead here in hiding, whom I do adore, I am a pilgrim on the earth; Masked by these bare shadows, shape and show me your commands. nothing more, My soul is ever consumed See, Lord, at thy service low lies here a heart as I long for your decrees. Lost, all lost in wonder at the God thou art. You threaten the proud, the accursed, On the cross thy godhead made no sign to who turn from your commands. men, Relieve me from scorn and contempt Here thy very manhood steals from human for I do your will. ken: Both are my confession, both are my belief, Though the princes sit plotting against me And I pray the prayer of the dying thief. I ponder on your statutes. Your will is my delight; I am not like Thomas, wounds I cannot see, your statutes are my counsellors. But can plainly call thee Lord and God as he; Let me to a deeper faith daily nearer move, Antiphon Daily make me harder hope and dearer love. Lord, guide me in your truth. O thou our reminder of Christ crucified, Living Bread, the life of us for whom he died, Lend this life to me then: feed and feast my mind, There be thou the sweetness man was meant to find.

Reading Hebrews 4:14-15 To suit us, the ideal high priest would have to be holy, innocent and uncontaminated, beyond the influence of sinners, and raised up to the heavens; one who would not need to offer sacrifices every day, as the other high priests do Bring the tender tale true of the Pelican; Bathe me, Jesu Lord, in what thy bosom ran for their own sins and then for those of Blood whereof a single drop has power to the people, because Jesus Christ our Lord has done this once and for all by offering win All the world forgiveness of its world of sin. himself.

A foretaste of heaven

Short Responsory R Ours were the sufferings he bore V Ours the sorrows he carried. Glory beâ&#x20AC;Ś Antiphon Christ humbled himself for us, and, in obedience, accepted death. Benedictus (if said in the morning) or Magnificat (if said in the evening) see inside front cover for these prayers Intercessions Christ, our Redeemer, let us share in your passion by works of penance; let us attain the glory of your resurrection. R Sanctify the people whom you redeemed by your blood. Grant us the protection of your Mother, the comforter of the afflicted; may we bring to others the consolation you have given us. R Sanctify the people whom you redeemed by your blood. Unite the faithful to your passion in times of trouble and distress; let the power of your salvation shine forth in their lives. R Sanctify the people whom you redeemed by your blood. You humbled your self even to accepting death, death on a Cross; grant to your servants obedience and patience. R Sanctify the people whom you redeemed by your blood.

Concluding prayer Lord God, since for your glory and our salvation, you willed Christ your Son to be the eternal High Priest: grant that the people he gained for you by his blood, may be strengthened by his Cross and resurrection when they take part in his memorial sacrifice. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Our Father...

A foretaste of heaven

Friday - On earth as it is in heaven Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us.

Psalmody

Jeremiah 31:10-14 O nations, hear the word of the Lord, proclaim it to the far-off coasts. Glory be to the Father and to the Son Say: ‘He who scattered Israel will gather him and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the and guard him as a shepherd guards his flock.’ beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world For the Lord has ransomed Jacob, without end. Amen. (Alleluia) has saved him from an overpowering hand. omit Alleluias during Lent

Hymn Forth from on high the Father sends His Son, who yet stays by his side. The Word made man for all then spends His life till life’s last eventide. While Judas plans the traitor’s sign, The mocking kiss that Love betrays, Jesus in form of bread and wine His loving sacrifice displays. He gives himself that faith may see The heavenly Food on which we may feed, That flesh and blood of man may be Fed by his Flesh and Blood indeed. By birth he makes himself our kin; As Food before his guests he lies; To death he bears our cross of sin; In heaven he reigns as our blest prize. Antiphon Behold God is my salvation; I put my trust in him for he has come to save me.

They will come and shout for joy of Mount Sion, they will stream to the blessings of the Lord, to the corn, the new wine and the oil, to the flocks of sheep and the herds. Their life will be like a watered garden. They will never be weary again. Then the young girls will rejoice and will dance, the men, young and old, will be glad. I will turn their mourning into joy, I will console them, give gladness for grief. The priests I will again feed with plenty, and my people shall be filled with my blessings. Antiphon Behold God is my salvation; I put my trust in him for he has come to save me. Reading Malachi 1:11 From farthest east to farthest west my name is honoured among the nations and everywhere a sacrifice of incense is offered to my name, and a pure offering too, since my name is honoured among the nations, says the Lord of Hosts.

A foretaste of heaven

Short Responsory R I am the bread of life. Your forefathers ate manna in the desert and they died. I am speaking of the bread that comes down from heaven, which a man may eat, and never die. V I am that living bread which came down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever. Glory be… Antiphon I am the living bread which has come down from heaven; whoever eats this bread will live forever. Benedictus (if said in the morning) or Magnificat (if said in the evening) see inside front cover for these prayers

Our Father… Concluding prayer Lord God, since for your glory and our salvation, you willed Christ your Son to be the eternal High Priest: grant that the people he gained for you by his blood, may be strengthened by his Cross and resurrection when they take part in his memorial sacrifice. We make our prayer through Christ our Lord. Amen.

Intercessions Let us humbly pray to Christ, the eternal high priest, who showed his love for us and freed us from our sins with his life’s blood. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life. You went up to Jerusalem to endure the passion and enter into glory; lead your Church into the paschal feast of eternal life. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life. Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God, you have commanded us to celebrate the Eucharistic meal in remembrance of you: enrich your Church with the worthy celebration of these mysteries. R Lord Jesus Christ, give us the bread of eternal life.

A foretaste of heaven

Saturday - Acknowledge his name Introduction O God, come to our aid. Lord, make haste to help us.

types and shadows have their ending, for the newer rite is here; faith, our outward sense befriending, makes the inward vision clear.

Glory be to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit. As it was in the Glory let us give, and blessing beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world to the Father and the Son; without end. Amen. (Alleluia) honour, might and praise addressing, omit Alleluias during Lent while eternal ages run; Hymn ever too his love confessing, Of the glorious Body telling, who, from both, with both is one. O my tongue, its mysteries sing, and the Blood, all price excelling, Antiphon which the world’s eternal King, My flesh is food indeed and my blood is in a noble womb once dwelling drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and shed for the world’s ransoming. drinks my blood has everlasting life, says the Lord. Given for us, descending, of a Virgin to proceed, Psalmody man with man in converse blending, Proverbs 9:1-6, 10-12 scattered he the Gospel seed, Wisdom has built her house, till his sojourn drew to ending, she has set up her seven pillars. which he closed in wondrous deed. She has slaughtered her beasts, she has mixed her wine, At the last great Supper lying she has also set her table. circled by his brethren’s band, meekly with the law complying, She has sent out her maids to call first he finished its command from the highest places in the town, then, immortal Food supplying, ‘Whoever is simple, turn in here!’ gave himself with his own hand. To those without sense she says, ‘Come, eat of my bread Word made Flesh, by word he maketh and drink of the wine I have mixed. very bread his Flesh to be; man in wine Christ’s Blood partaketh: Leave simpleness, and live, and if senses fail to see, and walk in the way of insight. faith alone the true heart waketh The fear of the Lord is the beginning of to behold the mystery. wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is Therefore we, before him bending, insight. this great Sacrament revere;

A foretaste of heaven

For by me your days will be multiplied, and years will be added to your life. If you are wise, you are wise for yourself; if you scoff, you alone will bear it.

Intercessions Let us adore our Saviour, who at the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, entrusted to the Church the memorial of his death and resurrection Antiphon to be celebrated throughout the ages. My flesh is food indeed and my blood is Confident that he will hear us, we pray: drink indeed. He who eats my flesh and R Sanctify the people whom you drinks my blood has everlasting life, says redeemed by your blood. the Lord. Christ, our Redeemer, let us share in your passion by works of penance: let us attain Reading Hebrews 13:12-13 the glory of your resurrection. Jesus suffered outside the gate to sanctify R Sanctify the people whom you the people with his own blood. Let us go redeemed by your blood. to him, then, outside the camp, and share Grant us the protection of your Mother, his degradation. For there is no eternal the comforter of the afflicted: may we city for us in this life but we look for one bring to others the consolation you have in the life to come. Through him let us given us. offer God an unending sacrifice of praise, R Sanctify the people whom you a verbal sacrifice that is offered every time redeemed by your blood. we acknowledge his name. Our Fatherâ&#x20AC;Ś Short responsory R Let us bless the Father and the Son Concluding prayer with the Holy Spirit. Lord God, V To God alone be all honour and glory. since for your glory and our salvation, Glory beâ&#x20AC;Ś you willed Christ your Son to be the eternal High Priest: Antiphon grant that the people he gained for you As they were eating, Jesus took bread, by his blood, and when he said the blessing he broke it may be strengthened by his Cross and and gave it to his disciples. resurrection when they take part in his memorial Benedictus (if said in the morning) sacrifice. or Magnificat (if said in the evening) We make our prayer through Christ our see inside front cover for these prayers Lord. Amen.

A foretaste of heaven

Supplementary resources • • • • • • •

Quotes on the Eucharist From Homilies of Holy Thursday Outlines to Church Documents A Selection of Prayers from the Churches of the West and of the East Gestures The Eucharist in the Early Church Bibliography

Further prayers to prepare for and reflect on the Eucharist and to use before the Blessed Sacrament can be found in Let us pray (WRCDT, 2009). Copies can be bought from the Agency for Evangelisation at: www.rcdow.org.uk/bookstore or by email: evangelisation@rcdow.org.uk; it can also be viewed online: http://issuu.com/exploringfaith/docs/let_us_pray.

A foretaste of heaven

Quotes on the Eucharist Our Saviour, therefore, when about to depart from this world to the Father, instituted this sacrament in which He poured forth, as it were, the riches of His divine love for men, ‘making a remembrance of his wonderful works”’(Psalm 110:4), and He commanded us in the consuming of it to cherish His ‘memory’ (1 Corinthians 11:24), and ‘to show forth his death until He come’ to judge the world (1 Corinthians 11:26). But He wished that this sacrament be received as the spiritual food of souls (Matthew 26:26), by which they may be nourished and strengthened, living by the life of Him who said: ‘He who eateth me, the same also shall live by me’ (John 6:58), and as an antidote, whereby we may be freed from daily faults and be preserved from mortal sins. He wished, furthermore, that this be a pledge of our future glory and of everlasting happiness. From The Council of Trent, Section XIII, Decree on the Most Holy Eucharist (11 October 1551)

Bread of Life Come together in common, one and all without exception in charity, in one faith and in one Jesus Christ, who is of the race of David according to the flesh, the son of man, and the Son of God, so that with undivided mind you may obey the bishop and the priests, and break one Bread which is the medicine of immortality and the antidote against death, enabling us to live forever in Jesus Christ. St Ignatius of Antioch (c.35-50 - c.98-117)

Now we see how intimately Christ has been united to his spouse (the Church); see with what food he satisfies us. He himself is our food and nourishment; and just as a woman nourishes her child with her own blood and milk, Christ also constantly nourishes with his own blood those to whom he has given birth (by Baptism). St John Chrysostom (344-407)

You come to me and unite Yourself intimately to me under the form of nourishment. Your Blood now runs in mine, Your Soul, Incarnate God, compenetrates mine, giving courage and support. What miracles! Who would have ever imagined such! St Maximilian Kolbe (1894-1941)

If Christ did not want to dismiss the Jews without food in the desert for fear that they would collapse on the way, it was to teach us that it is dangerous to try to get to heaven without the Bread of Heaven.

St Jerome (c.347 - 420)

More short reflections have been made available on the small group blog: http://dowsmallgroups.wordpress.com

A foretaste of heaven

The little town of Bethlehem is taken from two Hebrew words which mean ‘House of Bread.’ He Who called Himself ‘the Living Bread descended from Heaven’ was born in the ‘House of Bread’ and was laid in the place of food, the manger. The first temptation Christ had in the beginning of His public life was to become a bread King, and to win men by supplying them with food. On one occasion when they attempted to make Him king after multiplying the bread, He fled into the mountains. Rome once rang with the cry: ‘Bread and circuses.’ But the Bread that was brought at Bethlehem was an entirely different kind: ‘Not by bread alone does man live.’ Bishop Fulton J. Sheen (1895-1979)

‘And the Word became flesh’. That truth became a reality in the manger at Bethlehem. But it was to be fulfilled in yet another form: ‘Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood, has eternal life.’ The Saviour, who knows that we are human beings and will remain human beings who have to struggle daily with weaknesses, comes to our assistance in a truly divine manner. Just as the human body is in need of daily bread, so also does the divine life in us require constant nourishment. St Teresia Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein), (1891-1942)

The flesh feeds on the Body and Blood of Christ that the soul may be fattened on God. Tertullian (c.155 - 250)

Adoration If we really loved the good God, we should make it our joy and happiness to come and spend a few moments to adore Him, and ask Him for the grace of forgiveness; and we should regard those moments as the happiest of our lives. St John Vianney (1786-1859)

To converse with You, O King of glory, no third person is needed, You are always ready in the Sacrament of the Altar to give audience to all. All who desire You always find You there, and converse with You face to face. St Teresa of Ávila (1515-1582)

Transformation If we could comprehend all the good things contained in Holy Communion, nothing more would be wanting to content the heart of man. The miser would run no more after his treasures, or the ambitious after glory; each would shake off the dust of the earth, leave the world, and fly away towards heaven. St John Vianney (1786-1859)

The Eucharist is a fire which inflames us. John Damascene (c.676-749)

A foretaste of heaven

What is the mark of a Christian? That he be purified of all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit in the Blood of Christ, perfecting sanctification in the fear of God and the love of Christ, and that he have no blemish nor spot nor any such thing; that he be holy and blameless and so eat the Body of Christ and drink His Blood. What is the mark of those who eat the Bread and drink the Cup of Christ? That they keep in perpetual remembrance Him who died for us and rose again. St Basil the Great (330-379)

Presence Let us approach the celebration of the mysteries. This bread and this wine, so as long as the prayers and supplications have not taken place, remain simply what they are. But after the great prayers and holy supplications have been sent forth, the Word comes down into the bread and wine - and thus is His Body confected. St Athanasius (c. 293-373)

Here, in the Sacrament of the Altar, You are wholly present, my God, the Man Christ Jesus; here we freely partake the fruit of eternal salvation... No levity, curiosity, or sentimentality must draw us, but firm faith, devout hope and sincere love. Thomas à Kempis (c. 1380-1471) - The Imitation of Christ

Recognise in this bread what hung on the Cross, and in this chalice what flowed from His side... whatever was in many and varied ways announced beforehand in the sacrifices of the Old Testament pertains to this one sacrifice which is revealed in the New Testament. St Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Sacrifice In instituting the sacrament of the Eucharist, Jesus anticipates and makes present the sacrifice of the Cross and the victory of the resurrection. At the same time, he reveals that he himself is the true sacrificial lamb, destined in the Father’s plan from the foundation of the world. Jesus shows the salvific meaning of his death and resurrection, a mystery which renews history and the whole cosmos. Pope Benedict XVI - Sacramentum Caritatis, 10

God in his omnipotence could not give more, in His wisdom He knew not how to give more, in His riches He had not more to give, than the Eucharist. St Augustine of Hippo (354-430)

Pages 54 and 55 provide a brief outline to some of the various Church documents on the Mass and the Eucharist. Church documents vary in importance from Apostolic Constitutions, the most formal of documents, to Apostolic Letters. By far the most popularly understood form of Papal communication is the ‘Encyclical’ such as Blessed Pope John Paul II’s Ecclesia de Eucharistia (Church of the Eucharist).

A foretaste of heaven

From Homilies of Holy Thursday Blessed Pope John Paul II (1997) All this reaches its culmination at the Last Supper, in the Upper Room in Jerusalem. We have been called together to re-live this event, the institution of the marvellous Sacrament from which the Church never ceases to draw life, the Sacrament which, at the level of the most authentic and profound reality, constitutes the Church. There is no Eucharist without the Church, but, even before that, there is no Church without the Eucharist. Eucharist means thanksgiving. That is why we have prayed in the Responsorial Psalm: ‘How can I repay the Lord for his goodness to me?’ (cf. Psalm 116:12). We present on the altar the offerings of bread and wine, as an unending act of thanksgiving for all the blessings we have received from God, for the blessings of creation and redemption. Our Redemption has been wrought by the Sacrifice of Christ. The Church, which proclaims this Redemption and draws her life from it, must continue to make this Sacrifice sacramentally present, from this Sacrifice she must draw the strength to be herself. Blessed Pope John Paul II (2001) The Eucharist is not simply the memorial of a past rite but the living representation of the Saviour’s supreme gesture. From this experience the Christian community cannot but be moved to become the prophetic voice of the new creation inaugurated at Easter. The Eucharist is the permanent sign of God’s love, the love that sustains our journey to full communion with the Father, through the Son, in the Spirit. This is a love that surpasses the human heart. Blessed Pope John Paul II (2003) Therefore, the washing of the feet and the sacrament of the Eucharist: two expressions of one and the same mystery of love entrusted to the disciples, so that, Jesus says, ‘as I have done... so also must you do’ (John 13:15). The Eucharist is a truly great mystery! A mystery ‘incomprehensible’ to the human mind, but so full of light to the eyes of faith! The Table of the Lord in the simplicity of the Eucharistic symbols - the shared bread and wine - are also revealed as the table of concrete brotherhood. The message that radiates from them is too clear to be missed: those who take part in the Eucharistic Celebration cannot remain impervious to the expectations of the poor and needy.

A foretaste of heaven

Pope Benedict XVI (2007) The centre of the Passover meal, regulated by specific liturgical provisions, was the lamb as the symbol of Israel's redemption from slavery in Egypt… Israel was never to forget that God had personally taken the history of his People in hand and that this history was based permanently on communion with God. Israel must not forget God. The words of the commemoration were surrounded by words of praise and thanksgiving taken from the Psalms. Thanking and blessing God reached its culmination in the berakah, which in Greek is eulogia or eucaristia: praising God becomes a blessing for those who bless him. The offering given to God comes back blessed to us… Jesus celebrated the Passover without a lamb - no, not without a lamb: instead of the lamb he gave himself, his Body and his Blood. Thus, he anticipated his death in a manner consistent with his words: ‘No one takes [my life] from me, but I lay it down of my own accord’ (John 10:18). Pope Benedict XVI (2009) Having given thanks and praise, the Lord then breaks the bread and gives it to the disciples. Breaking the bread is the act of the father of the family who looks after his children and gives them what they need for life. But it is also the act of hospitality with which the stranger, the guest, is received within the family and is given a share in its life. Dividing (dividere), sharing (condividere) brings about unity. Through sharing, communion is created. In the broken bread, the Lord distributes himself… He distributes himself, the true ‘bread for the life of the world’ (cf. John 6:51). The nourishment that man needs in his deepest self is communion with God himself.

The Last Supper after Leonardo da Vinci by Rembrandt van Rijn (1634-35)

A foretaste of heaven

Bulls and Constitutions Sacrosanctum Concilium (Sacred Council) – 4 December 1963 The Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy was approved by the assembled bishops by a vote of 2,147 to 4 and its principal aims were to impart an ever increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful; to adapt more suitably to the needs of our own times those institutions which are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all who believe in Christ and to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of mankind into the household of the Church.

Papal encyclicals Mirae Caritatis (Mirror of Charity) – 28 May 1902 This encyclical of Pope Leo XIII on the Holy Eucharist explores several aspects of eucharistic theology, citing the sacrament as the sacrifice of the Mass, the bond of charity, the mystery of faith and the source of life. The expression mirror of charity itself was popularised by Ailred of Rievaulx during the Middle Ages. Leo XIII’s encyclical has been subsequently cited by Popes Pius XII and Paul VI in their own teaching documents, respectively Mediator Dei and Mysterium Fidei. Mediator Dei (Jesus, mediator between God and Mankind) – 20 November 1947 Issued by Pope Pius XII in 1947, Mediator Dei is considered one of his more important encyclicals. Rather than a merely passive role for the faithful in the liturgy and in the life of their parish, this encyclical talks of ‘active participation’. This document also condemned certain excesses of liturgical reform and stressed the importance of the union of sacrifice and altar with communion. Pope Pius defends liturgy as important, sacred and sacramental and as much more that simply the sum of liturgical actions and prescriptions. Mysterium Fidei (Mystery of Faith) – 3 September 1965 Pope Paul VI’s encyclical on the Eucharist, Mysterium Fidei, was issued just as the closing session of the Second Vatican Council was beginning. Its purpose was to counter certain theological movements which he perceived were gaining ground and sent a direct and unequivocal message to the Church regarding the Eucharist. Echoing the words of St. Ignatius of Antioch, Pope Paul referred to the Blessed Sacrament the ‘medicine of immortality’ while seeking to safeguard Masses celebrated in private; the doctrine of transubstantiation and various Eucharistic devotions.

A foretaste of heaven

Ecclesia de Eucharistia (Church of the Eucharist) – 17 April 2003 This encyclical, issued by Pope John Paul II, emphasises the importance of the Holy Eucharist in the Church. He points out that the Church draws her life from the Eucharist, which stands at the centre of the Church’s life and is, by its saving presence in the community of the faithful and as its spiritual food, the most precious possession which the Church can have in her journey through history. Pope John Paul II also writes of unacceptable doctrine and practice, saying that the Eucharist is too great a gift to tolerate ambiguity and depreciation while expressing his hope that ‘the Eucharist will continue to shine forth in all its radiant mystery’.

Papal Apostolic Exhortations Sacramentum Caritatis (Sacrament of Love) – 22 February 2007 Set alongside Pope Benedict XVI’s first encyclical God Is Love (Deus Caritas Est) where he stressed the relationship between the Eucharist and love, The Sacrament of Love (or Charity) picks up that theme and expands it as Pope Benedict explores the mystery of Eucharistic faith and how it reveals the mystery of the Trinity. Released on the Feast of the Seat of St. Peter, the Holy Father examines the important relationship between the Eucharist and the other sacraments, including the sacrament of the Church. He also highlights the social implications of the Eucharist and firmly connects it with the Church’s social teaching.

Papal Apostolic Letters Dominicae Cenae (The Lord’s Supper) – 24 February 1980 This letter, issued by Pope John Paul II on Holy Thursday 1980, was split into 3 main sections: (1) the Eucharistic mystery in the life of the Church and of the priest; (2) the sacred character of the Eucharist and sacrifice and (3) the two tables of the Lord (that of the Word and that of the Bread) and the Eucharist as the common possession of the Church - the ‘greatest gift that Christ has offered and unceasingly offers to His spouse’. Dies Domini (On Keeping the Lord’s Day) – 31 May 1998 Dies Domini is an apostolic letter promulgated by Pope John Paul II in which the Holy Father encourages the Catholic population to ‘rediscover the meaning’ behind keeping the Lord’s Day holy – it is the day when we gratefully recall the world’s first day and look forward in hope to the ‘last day,’ when Christ will come in glory; it is the day when we recall and celebrate the wonder and power of Christ’s Resurrection.

A foretaste of heaven

Prayers from the Western Church St Thérèse of Lisieux once said that ‘for me, prayer is a surge of the heart; it is a simple look turned toward heaven, it is a cry of recognition and of love, embracing both trial and joy.’ Recognising Christ and deepening a loving relationship with him in the Eucharist is essential for Christian living. Here are a selection of prayers drawn from the Catholic tradition to prepare and reflect on this wonderful sacrament. Before Communion Divine Saviour, we come to Your sacred table to nourish ourselves, not with bread but with Yourself, true Bread of eternal life. Help us daily to make a good and perfect meal of this divine food. Let us be continually refreshed by the perfume of Your kindness and goodness. May the Holy Spirit fill us with His Love. Meanwhile, let us prepare a place for this holy food by emptying our hearts. Amen.

St Francis de Sales (1567-1622)

I will have no other treasure besides Thee, good Jesus! My heart shall no longer seek its Best-Beloved; it has found Him. My love shall no more languish far from Thee, now that I know Thy dwelling-place. Oh, draw me now entirely to Thee, divine Lover, my mind with all its thoughts, my heart with all its desires and affections, my will with all its actions, my body with all is senses, that I may live no longer in myself but in Thee! St Peter Julian Eymard (1811-1868)

Almighty and ever-living God, I approach the sacrament of your onlybegotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. I come sick to the doctor of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the radiance of eternal light, and poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth. O my God I am heartily sorry for having offended Thee and I detest all of my sins because of thy just punishments but most of all because they offend Thee, my God, who art all good and worthy of all my love. I firmly resolve with the help of thy grace to sin no more and to avoid the near occasion of sin. Amen.

St Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274)

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After Communion Pierce, O my sweet Lord Jesus, my inmost soul with the most joyous and healthful wound of your love, with true serene and most holy apostolic charity, that my soul may ever languish and melt with love and longing for you, that it may yearn for you and faint for your courts, and long to be dissolved and to be with you. Grant that my soul may hunger after you, the bread of angels, the refreshment of holy souls, our daily and supernatural bread, having all sweetness and savour and every delight of taste; let my heart hunger after and feed upon you, upon whom the angels desire to look, and may my inmost soul be filled with the sweetness of your savour; may it ever thirst after you, the fountain of life, the fountain of wisdom and knowledge, the fountain of eternal light, the torrent of pleasure, the richness of the house of God; may it ever compass you, seek you, find you, run to you, attain you, meditate upon you, speak of you and do all things to the praise and glory of your name, with humility and discretion, with love and delight, with ease and affection, and with perseverance unto the end; may you alone be ever my hope, my entire assistance, my riches, my delight, my pleasure, my joy, my rest and tranquility, my peace, my sweetness, my fragrance, my sweet savour, my food, my refreshment, my refuge, my help, my wisdom, my portion, my possession and my treasure, in whom may my mind and my heart be fixed and firm and rooted immovably, henceforth and forever. Amen. St Bonaventure (1221-1274)

Soul of Christ, be my sanctification; Body of Christ, be my salvation; Blood of Christ, fill all my veins; Water of Christâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s side, wash out my stains; Passion of Christ, my comfort be; O good Jesus, listen to me; In Thy wounds I fain would hide; Neâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;er to be parted from Thy side; Guard me, should the foe assail me; Call me when my life shall fail me; Bid me come to Thee above, With Thy saints to sing Thy love, World without end. The Yellow Christ by Paul Gauguin (1899) Amen.

The Anima Christi

Prayer translation by Blessed John Henry Newman

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Prayers from the Eastern Church St John Chrysostom once said that â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;prayer is a great weapon, a rich treasure, a wealth that is never exhausted, an undisturbed refuge, a cause of tranquility, the root of a multitude of blessings, and their source.â&#x20AC;&#x2122; Here are a selection of prayers drawn from the Orthodox tradition for before and after communion in order to better help us prepare and reflect on the greatness and generosity of God. Before Communion I believe, O Lord, and I confess that thou art truly the Christ, the Son of the living God, who didst come into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. And I believe that this is truly thine own immaculate Body, and that this is truly thine own precious Blood. Wherefore I pray thee, have mercy upon me and forgive my transgressions both voluntary and involuntary, of word and of deed, of knowledge and of ignorance; and make me worthy to partake without condemnation of thine immaculate Mysteries, unto remission of my sins and unto life everlasting. Amen. Of thy Mystic Supper, O Son of God, accept me today as a communicant; for I will not speak of thy Mystery to thine enemies, neither will I give thee a kiss as did Judas; but like the thief will I confess thee: Remember me, O Lord, in thy Kingdom. Not unto judgement nor unto condemnation be my partaking of thy Holy Mysteries, O Lord, but unto the healing of soul and body. Amen.

St John Chrysostom (344-407)

O Lord, I know that I am unworthy to receive thy Holy Body and Precious Blood; I know that I am guilty, and that I eat and drink condemnation to myself, not discerning the Body and Blood of Christ my God. But trusting in thy loving-kindness I come unto thee who hast said: He that eateth my Body and drinketh my Blood shall dwell in me and I in him. Therefore, O Lord, have compassion on me and make not an example of me, thy sinful servant. But do unto me according thy great mercy, and grant that these Holy Gifts may be for me unto the healing, purification, enlightenment, protection, salvation and sanctification of my soul and body, and to the expulsion of every evil 58

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imagination, sinful deed or work of the Devil. May they move me to reliance on thee and to love thee always, to amend and keep firm my life; and be ever in me to the increase of virtue, to the keeping of the Holy Spirit, and as a good defence before thy dread Judgement Seat, and for Life Eternal. Amen. St Basil the Great (330-379)

O Lord and Master Jesus Christ, our God, who alone hath power to forgive the sins of men, do thou, O Good One who lovest mankind, forgive all the sins that I have committed in knowledge or in ignorance, and make me worthy to receive without condemnation thy divine, glorious, immaculate and life-giving Mysteries; not unto punishment or unto increase of sin; but unto purification, and sanctification and a promise of thy Kingdom and the Life to come; as a protection and a help to overthrow the adversaries, and to blot out my many sins. For thou art a God of Mercy and compassion and love toward mankind, and unto Thee we ascribe glory together with the Father and the Holy Spirit; now and ever, and unto ages of ages. Amen.

John Damascene (c.676-749)

O peaceful, kind and humble God, the Lover of mankind, Who is pleased by mercy rather than sacrifice, and, Who loves a contrite heart more than whole burnt offerings, and accepts a humble spirit better than the blood and the savour of fat bullocks and lambs; accept at this time our spiritual sacrifice on Your rational altar. By means of this reasonable service, make us worthy to present ourselves unto You, on Your heavenly altar, spiritual sacrifices with a contrite heart and a humble spirit and become unto You a flock of glorious and spotless sheep. So that when we maybe transformed anew and become confirmed as a new creation in the new world, we may be worthy to sing praise in Your temple, among the rational and wise spirits with radiant lanterns of faith, to the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and forever. Amen. From the Anaphoras (Syriac Preparatory Order of the Divine Liturgy)

After Communion May thy holy Body, O Lord Jesus Christ our God, be unto me for life eternal, and thy precious Blood unto remission of my sins. May this Eucharist be unto me for joy, health, and gladness; and at thy dread Second Coming make me, a sinner, worthy to stand at the right hand of thy glory: through the intercessions of thine all-immaculate Mother and of all thy Saints. Amen.

St Simeon Metaphrastes (possibly 10th century)

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Gestures: What you can expect to see at Mass The sign of the Cross On entering the church, we dip the fingers of our right hand in holy water and make the sign of the Cross, a sign of accepting our baptism anew. By slowly and thoughtfully, touching our forehead, our heart, our left and right shoulders, we are reminded that we are joined with Christ. This helps prepare us for the celebration of the liturgy which similarly begins with this basic yet powerful prayer, a reminder of Christ’s death on the Cross as a means to eternal life for each of us. Prior to the reading of the Gospel, we make three small crosses – on our forehead, on our lips and over our heart – to ask Christ’s message be imprinted on our hearts, minds and in our words. At the end of the liturgy, the Priest gives a final blessing and we make the sign of the Cross to place ourselves under the protection of the Cross, asking Christ to protect and guide us in our daily lives. Kneeling and/or genuflecting Bending the right knee to the floor and rising again (genuflecting) in the direction of the tabernacle before moving into a pew and kneeling in prayer are both very much a part of the Church’s tradition. Kneeling has long been connected with homage and adoration as knights knelt down to offer their strength and support to Kings and rulers. This gesture has been carried into Christian culture (mentioned 59 times in the New Testament) as a way of helping us not only to praise our Lord but a way to surrender to his will – mind and body. Sitting On sitting our first inclination may be to rest – a welcome reprieve from standing or kneeling. Resting in the presence of our Lord enables us to set aside our busy lives to listen to his message with an attentive ear.

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‘Calling down from on high’ Known as the Epiclesis, this gesture is made by the presiding priest over the gifts of bread and wine to invoke the Holy Spirit. Bringing his hands down over the chalice and the host, he enacts the very heart of the Eucharistic celebration: the consecration. Although the priest makes this gesture solely, it signals a time of deepest prayer as we prepare to receive the body of Christ in Holy Communion. Walking/Queuing Whether it is a leisurely stroll through a park or a quick sprint to the shops before they close, walking is very much a part of our daily lives. Similarly, we often queue for buses without too much thought. However, walking and queuing in Church are distinctly different and for these reasons, it is called processing. After dipping our hand in holy water in the stoup and joining ourselves to Christ, we move into the nave of the church - mindful of the fact that we are pilgrims on a journey of faith to meet God our Father in heaven. During the liturgy, we join with our brothers and sisters in Christ to form a procession; to reverently process to the altar to receive Holy Communion. The Sign of Peace The gesture of acknowledging our neighbour with a handshake or a simple nod of the head and the greeting ‘Peace be with you’ was practiced in the Early Church and reintroduced following the Second Vatican Council. It makes it clear that our faith is not a private matter. Through baptism we are brothers and sisters of each other, the body of Christ. Our faith calls us to see and to respond to the face of Christ in ALL those with whom we share God’s creation. Standing Just as the risen Christ is standing at God’s right hand in readiness to welcome each one of us into his heavenly kingdom (2 Peter 1:11), we are asked to stand in readiness to response to the Gospel message.

A foretaste of heaven

The Didache The Didache, intended as a handbook for new Christian converts claims to have been authored by the twelve apostles. While this is unlikely, the work could be a direct result of the first Apostolic Council, around AD 50 (see the Acts of the Apostles, chapter 15 verse 28), though additions and modifications may have taken place well into the third century. It contains the oldest recorded Eucharistic prayer. Chapter 9. The Eucharist. Now concerning the Eucharist, give thanks this way. First, concerning the cup: We thank Thee, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. And concerning the broken bread: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You madest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let Thy Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom; for Thine is the glory and the power through Jesus Christ for ever. But let no one eat or drink of your Eucharist, unless they have been baptised into the name of the Lord; for concerning this also the Lord has said, ‘Give not that which is holy to the dogs.’

Chapter 10. Prayer after Communion. But after you are filled, give thanks this way: We thank Thee, holy Father, for Thy holy name which You didst cause to tabernacle in our hearts, and for the knowledge and faith and immortality, which You modest known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Thou, Master almighty, didst create all things for Thy name’s sake; You gavest food and drink to men for enjoyment, that they might give thanks to Thee; but to us You didst freely give spiritual food and drink and life eternal through Thy Servant. Before all things we thank Thee that You are mighty; to Thee be the glory for ever. Remember, Lord, Thy Church, to deliver it from all evil and to make it perfect in Thy love, and gather it from the four winds, sanctified for Thy kingdom which Thou have prepared for it; for Thine is the power and the glory for ever. Let grace come, and let this world pass away. Hosanna to the God (Son) of David! If any one is holy, let him come; if any one is not so, let him repent. Maranatha. ‘ Amen. But permit the prophets to make Thanksgiving as much as they desire.

A foretaste of heaven

Bibliography

naturally this bibliography cannot be considered exhaustive but serves as a useful starting point

The Didache: The Teaching of the Lord to the Nations through the Twelve Apostles (printed 2009), Westminster Diocesan Trustees. To order call 020 7931 6043 Francis Selman (2009) The Sacraments and the Mystery of Christ, Family Publications Thomas Merton (various editions) Living Bread, various publishers Scott Hahn (1999) The Lamb’s Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth, Doubleday Vinny Flynn (2007) 7 Secrets of the Eucharist, Mercysong Robert Barron (2008) Eucharist, Orbis Books Kevin Irwin (2004) Models of the Eucharist, Paulist International Press Stephen B Clark (2000) Catholics and the Eucharist: A Scriptural Introduction, Charis Joseph Ratzinger (2003) God is Near Us: The Eucharist, The Heart of Life , Ignatius Press Raniero Cantalamessa (1993) The Eucharist: Our Sanctification, Liturgical Press Church documents (see also pp.52-3) Sacrosanctum Concilium – http://tinyurl.com/sacredcouncil Lumen Gentium, especially chapters 1 and 2 – http://tinyurl.com/onthechurch (1999) Catechism of the Catholic Church, Geoffrey Chapman – especially 13221419 Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church – especially 271-294 http://tinyurl.com/compcatcc John Paul II (2003) Ecclesia de Eucharistia – http://tinyurl.com/eucharistia

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Notes

A foretaste of heaven

exploring faith Other booklets in the exploring faith group sharing series

Hail Mary, Full of Grace (published autumn 2010)

Six group sessions for faith-sharing, which explore what the Scriptures and the Church say about Mary - the immaculately conceived, sinless, ever-virgin, mother of Christ, assumed into heaven. 978-0-9563514-4-9 £1.50 where sold

Faithful Pilgrim (published February 2011)

Six group sessions for faith-sharing, which explore the historic State visit to the United Kingdom by Pope Benedict XVI. 978-0-9563514-7-0 £1.50 where sold Other booklets published by exploring faith

The Didache (published February 2010)

Subtitled ‘the Teaching of the Lord to the Nations through the Twelve Apostles’, the Didache is a first century ‘handbook’ for Christian living. 978-0-9563514-2-5 £1.00 where sold

Sayings of Light and Love (published February 2011)

175 spiritual gems by Carmelite mystic, St John of the Cross. Also includes a brief biography of St John by Fr Iain Matthew OCD. 978-0-9563514-8-7 £1.00 where sold Each of the previous resources in the exploring faith series can be downloaded and viewed by visiting the Diocese of Westminster’s website and can be purchased from our bookstore. If you have a QR reader simply scan the image to the right and you will be directed to the relevant webpage.

A foretaste of heaven This latest booklet in the Diocese of Westminster’s exploring faith series contains six group sessions for faith-sharing, which explore through a series of questions what we believe about the Eucharist and the Mass. Lord, Jesus Christ, you gave us the Eucharist as the memorial of your suffering and death. In response, may we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love. May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. Aadptation of the two Opening Prayers from the Solemnity of the Body and Blood of Christ