Into the Liturgy, part 7

The Sanctus

As the divine service continues, it reaches its peak in the singing of the Sanctus (pronounced Saanktoose). This singing is the highest form of praise to the God who created all that is seen and unseen, saves his people from sin, and grants believers eternal life in the kingdom of heaven. In the singing of the Sanctus, heaven and earth collide as the saints on earth are gathered at the table alongside the saints in heaven. Christians join their voices with the singing of the Seraphim Cherubim around the throne of God. We also join the cry of God’s people as Jesus made his Triumphal Entry into the city of Jerusalem. The Sanctus (Latin for Holy) is the Church’s own canticle of praise as she greets the crucified and risen Lord who comes to us through the Sacrament of the Altar. For this reason, the Sanctus is to be sung boldly, with loud music and voices.

The Eucharistic Prayer

The Eucharistic Prayer is a thanksgiving prayer that is said in the consecration of the bread and wine during the Christian Eucharistic liturgy. This prayer includes the Word of Christ’s institution of the Sacrament (Verba) declaring his divine presence in, with, and under the elements of the bread and wine. Jesus says, “This is my body, given for you; this is my blood, shed for you.” Jesus’s words are spoken by the one agent whom he has called to preside at the table. His words connect the sacramental elements to his promise of forgiveness and eternal life. These are the means through which the elements are consecrated. This particular bread, and this particular cup, consecrated before this particular assembly are the means through which God extends grace. Received through faith, the body and blood of Christ are eaten and drunk for the forgiveness of sin. The Verba concludes with the Lord’s Prayer.