Sanctus Theological Institute
Sanctus Theological Institute
Liturgies for Independent Catholic Worship Received from Rev.Dr.John Mabry, PhD.+ The Festival of the Holy Names
The Didache is an inclusive adaptation of the earliest extant eucharistic prayer in the church's history. Both of the shorter prayers follow the general three-fold pattern of the Eucharistic prayers: Thanking the Creator (Anamnesis), Remembering Christ (Institution), and Inviting the Spirit (Epiclesis).
The World Eucharist
(Sung)
O God we thank you
you give us all we need
and through your Wisdom
you bid the whole world be free.
When Jesus came he set our hearts aglow
and gave himself as living bread to feed a hungry world.
Change us, Holy Spirit teach us to walk in peace
help us to love each other until the whole world sings:
(As the bread is passed)
Holy holy holy
Holy holy Holy holy holy
__________________________________________
Free Form Eucharist
This prayer is perfect for small, intimate gatherings, including meals.
One person may preside, or people may divide into choirs.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Presider Christ is here.
People The Spirit is with us.
Presider Open your hearts.
People We offer them to God.
Presider Let us give thanks to the Infinite One.
People We rejoice to give thanks and praise.
THANKING THE CREATOR
Presider It is a right and good and joyful thing
in all ways and everywhere to give thanks to you,
O God, for...
Presider may name a personal reason for thanking God. Others may add
their own thanksgivings. When it seems that all who wish to pray have
had time to do so, the presider may continue.
REMEMBERING CHRIST
Presider And we thank you also, O God, for Jesus, who...
Presider may briefly refer to a story about Jesus from the Gospels that
is particularly meaningful to her or him. Others may relate stories
meaningful to them. When it seems that all who wish to relate a story
about Jesus have had time to do so, the presider may continue.
BLESSING OF THE SPIRIT
Presider may ask for God's blessing upon a person, the elements, the
people gathered or for any other purpose. Others may add their own
petitions. When it seems that all who wish to pray have had time to do
so, the presider may continue.
Therefore, in trust and thanksgiving, loving God,
we join in the chorus of praise that rings throughout eternity,
with angels and archangels, prophets and martyrs, creatures of
earth, sea and sky and all the holy women and men of every
culture and age. Together with rocks, hills, waters, mountains,
suns, moons and stars, we magnify you as we sing/say:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
All Holy, holy, holy, God of love and power,
All Creation speaks of your glory, O God-with-us.
Blessed are we who come in the name of our God!
Hosanna, Hosanna from our hearts!
The elements may be enjoyed.
___________________________________
The Didache Eucharist
This liturgy makes use of a cantor, but otherwise there are no presiders
or other designated roles. All portions identified by an asterisk (*)
are optional.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Choir 1 Christ is here.
Choir 2 The Spirit is with us.
Choir 1 Open your hearts.
Choir 2 We offer them to God.
Choir 1 Let us give thanks to the Infinite One.
Choir 2 We rejoice to give thanks and praise.
All It is a right and good and joyful thing
in all ways and everywhere
to give thanks to you, O God
Therefore we join in the chorus of praise
that rings throughout eternity,
with angels and archangels, prophets and martyrs,
creatures of earth, sea and sky
and all the holy women and men
of every age and culture.
Together with rocks, hills, waters,
mountains, suns, moons, and stars,
we magnify you as we sing/say:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
All Holy, holy, holy, God of love and power,
All Creation speaks of your glory, O God-with-us.
Blessed are we who come in the name of our God!
Hosanna, Hosanna from our hearts!
First, regarding the wine:
Choir 1 We give thanks to you, our Creator
for the holy vine of your children Bathsheba and David,
which you made known to us
through your child, Jesus;
All All glory to you forever and ever.
The wine is passed around.
The bread is broken. Then, regarding the bread:
Choir 2 We give thanks to you, our Creator,
for the life and wisdom
which you have made known to us
through your child Jesus;
All All glory to you forever and ever.
The bread is passed around. Communicants also break off bread for those
beloved not present, speaking their names before passing the loaf to the
next communicant.
All As the grains that were
scattered upon the mountains
were gathered to become one loaf,
so may all your people
be gathered together
from the ends of the earth
into your community;
for yours is grace, justice and love,
through Jesus Christ for ever and ever.
The meal is joyfully shared.
After the meal, give thanks in this way:
Choir 1 We give thanks to you, our Creator,
for your holy names,
which you have made to dwell in our hearts,
and for the wisdom and faith
and eternal life, which you have made known to us
through your child Jesus;
All Glory to you forever and ever.
Choir 2 It was you, O mighty God,
who created all things,
and gave food and drink for us to enjoy
and so that we might give you thanks;
But you also gave us spiritual food and drink
and eternal life through your child Jesus.
All Remember, O God, your people
walk with us in our times of trial
and nurture us in your love
Gather your holy peoples from the four winds
into the community you are building here.
May grace come and injustice pass away.
Glory to you forever and ever!
Choir 1 Thanks be to God!
Choir 2 Thanks be to God!
_____________________________________________________
The Holy Eucharist
Liturgy of the Word = Form A This liturgy is recommended for groups no larger than twenty five persons; one or two presiders may participate, the second presider reading the paragraphs preceeded by a degree sign ( ). The service also requires a cantor. All portions identified by an asterisk (*) are optional. The service may begin with a processional. Notes from Fr. John Mabry,PhD.+
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
All circle and stand around the altar.
GREETING
Presider Blessed is our God, Creator, Liberator, and Comforter;
People and blessed is Creation, now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP*
GATHERING COLLECT This or another invocation may be used.
Presider Holy and Living God, in you we are born,
in you we move, in you we have our being.
Annoint us now with your Holy Wisdom;
enrich our hearts--dine and dance with us--
as we with glad hearts celebrate your holy names. Amen.
GATHERING DANCE
All Gather here in the mystery of the hour
Gather here in one strong body
Gather here in the struggle and the power
Spirit draw near
BLESSING WITH WATER*
Presider Dear friends,
this water will be used to remind us of our origins,
of the waters of the womb from which we were born,
and of the waters of the Earth that refresh and sustain all beings.
May God bless me as I perform this service.
With the Earth's hallowed waters do I consecrate
this holy altar and sanctuary.
And bless also this people who gather to
celebrate an astounding love.
INTRODUCTION TO SILENCE*
Presider Please be seated. We will spend the next few minutes in
silence. You may wish to take this time to reflect on the theme and
readings in your bulletin.
STATEMENT OF THEME*
Presider Today/Tonight, we celebrate....
OPENING PRAYER
Presider Let us pray....
HYMN*
READINGS
The cantor may process with the cross, and hold
it aloft over the head of the reader.
Cantor Open your ears, O faithful people
Open your ears, and hear God's Word
Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,
God has come to you.
One or two readings from various sources, (one from scripture), the
reader first saying:
A Reading from --. Then: Here ends the reading.
After each reading, a bell may be struck thrice to initiate a brief
period of meditation. A single stroke ends the meditation. When the
scripture has been read, the Cantor sings:
Cantor God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
And the words are words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
All Hallelujah!
God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
And the words are words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
SHARING THE GOSPEL
Presider Having heard the scripture of our tradition, now we are
welcome to share from the scripture of our lives. We open ourselves to
hear our personal truths without judgement or interruption, listening in
silence and with respect.
HYMN OR SPECIAL MUSIC*
STATEMENT OF FAITH*
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Cantor Shema Israel, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echod!
People Hear all the world, your God is one God!
Prayers may be offered for all people of faith, for the earth, for
justice and peace, for the sick and suffering, and for wisdom. Praises
may also be offered.
LITANY*
CONFESSION This or another form may be used.
Cantor For my resistance to being all I'm created to be...
All For my resistance to being
all I'm created to be
For my denial of life, of life abundantly
For the discord I bring, into the harmony
I beg the indulgence of Earth, sky and sea,
Of All-that-I-Am, of All Who Are,
of All in All in All.
AFFIRMATION
Presider, singing Shalom, Shalom, + Shalom, Shalom
SHALOM DANCE
Presider Let us now each turn to a partner, and extend our right
hands in peace as we begin our dance...
EXCHANGING THE PEACE
Presider Peace be with you!
People And also with you!
Presider Let us share with one another a sign of God's Peace.
Time may be taken for blessings, artistic presentations, and
announcements: planning meetings, socials, etc.
OFFERTORY
Presider At this time we invite you to share what God has given to
you. If you have brought food for the food bank, please place it in the
St. James Pantry basket. Let us with gladness present the fruits of our
life and labor unto God and one another.
OFFERTORY HYMN*
The gifts are offered and, with the drink and the bread, presented at
the altar. See Eucharistic Prayer II for instructions specific to that
prayer.
Liturgy of the Word = Form B
This liturgy makes use of a cantor, but otherwise there are no presiders
or other designated roles. All portions identified by an asterisk (*)
are optional. The service may begin with a processional. All circle and
stand around the altar.
PROCESSIONAL HYMN
GREETING
Choir 1 Blessed is our God, Creator, Liberator,
and Comforter;
Choir 2 and blessed is Creation,
now and forever. Amen.
CALL TO WORSHIP*
GATHERING COLLECT
All Holy and Living God, in you we are born,
in you we move, in you we have our being.
Annoint us now with your Holy Wisdom;
enrich our hearts--dine and dance with us--
as we with glad hearts celebrate your holy names. Amen.
GATHERING DANCE*
All Gather here in the mystery of the hour
Gather here in one strong body
Gather here in the struggle and the power
Spirit draw near
BLESSING WITH WATER*
A bowl of water is placed in reach of everyone.
Choir 1 In blessing our foreheads
Choir 2 we reclaim the powers of reason.
Choir 1 In blessing our eyes
Choir 2 we reclaim the power of vision.
Choir 1 In blessing our lips
Choir 2 we reclaim the power to speak.
Choir 1 In blessing our hands
Choir 2 we reclaim the power of creativity.
Choir 1 In blessing our feet
Choir 2 we reclaim the power of movement.
All join hands.
All In blessing one another,
we claim the power of our bodies,
And the body of this community.
Thanks be to God!
All are seated.
INTRODUCTION TO SILENCE*
Cantor We will spend the next few minutes in silence. You may wish
to
take this time to reflect on the theme and readings in your bulletin.
STATEMENT OF THEME *
OPENING PRAYER
Choir 1 Peace be with you.
Choir 2 And also with you.
Cantor Let us pray... The congregation prays the opening prayer in
unison.
HYMN*
READINGS
All Open your ears, O faithful people
Open your ears, and hear God's Word
Open your hearts, O royal priesthood,
God has come to you.
One or more readings may be offered from scriptural and other
sources.
All God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
And the words are words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! God has spoken to the people, Hallelujah!
And the words are words of wisdom, Hallelujah!
SHARING THE GOSPEL
Cantor We have heard the scripture of our tradition. Now we invite
you
to share from the scripture of your life. We open ourselves to hear your
personal truth without judgment or interruption.
HYMN*
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
Cantor Shema Israel, Adonai Elohenu, Adonai Echod!
All Hear all the world, your God is one God!
Prayers may be offered for all people of faith, for the earth, for
justice and peace, for the sick and suffering, and for wisdom Praises
may also be offered.
LITANY*
CONFESSION
This or another form may be used.
Cantor For my resistance to being all I'm created to be...
People For my resistance to being all I'm created to be
For my denial of life, of life abundantly
For the discord I bring, into the harmony
I beg the indulgence of Earth, sky and sea,
Of All-that-I-Am, of All Who Are, of All in All in All.
AFFIRMATION
All Shalom, Shalom, + Shalom, Shalom
SHALOM DANCE
EXCHANGING THE PEACE
Cantor Let us share with one another a sign of God's Peace.
Time may be taken for blessings, artistic presentations, announcements, etc.
OFFERTORY
Cantor At this time we invite you to share what God has given to you.
If you have brought food for the food bank, please place it in the St.
James Pantry basket. Let us with gladness present the fruits of our life
and labor unto God and one another.
OFFERTORY HYMN*
The gifts are offered and, with the drink and the bread, presented at
the
altar.
Liturgy of the Table I = Life & Joy
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Presider Blessed are you, God of all creation.
Through your goodness
we have this bread to offer,
which earth has given
and human hands have made.
It will become for us the Bread of Life.
People Blessed be God forever.
Presider Blessed are you, God of all creation.
Through your goodness
we have this drink to offer,
fruit of the vine and work of human hands.
This will become our Cup of Joy.
People Blessed be God forever.
Presider Come and gather around God's table.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Presider Christ is here.
People The Spirit is with us.
Presider Open your hearts.
People We offer them to God.
Presider Let us give thanks to the Infinite One.
People We rejoice to give thanks and praise.
Presider It is a right and good and joyful thing
in all ways and everywhere to give thanks to you,
O God... Presider may say a proper preface
Therefore we join in the chorus of praise
that rings throughout eternity, with angels and archangels,
prophets and martyrs, creatures of earth, sea and sky
and all the holy women and men of every culture and age.
Together with rocks, hills, waters, mountains, suns, moons, and stars,
we magnify you as we sing/say:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
All Holy, holy, holy, God of love and power,
All Creation speaks of your glory, O God-with-us.
Blessed are we who come in the name of our God!
Hosanna, Hosanna from our hearts!
THANKING THE CREATOR
Presider Sacred and Immortal One,
throughout the history of the world,
it has always been your way
to bestow rich blessings upon your children:
In the ongoing weaving of the world, O God,
you give to us life.
In the gift of our communities and families,
you give to us joy.
In Jesus of Nazareth
you give to us an example of genuine living.
In his death and resurrection,
you give us the hope of eternal life.
Through the gift of your Holy Spirit,
you give us the courage and the power
to remake the world.
INDWELLING OF THE SPIRIT
Presider And in this moment,
through your bountiful Creation,
you give us these gifts again.
They are full of life and goodness,
blessed and holy.
Let us become aware
of your + presence in these gifts.
For as your Spirit saturates and indwells
all of Creation, O Christ,
even so are these gifts--this bread, and this cup--
brimming with divinity.
Teach us to partake of them
with due reverence, and in so doing,
help us to go forth into the world
with like reverence for all that we behold,
for in you do all things consist
and have their being.
REMEMBERING CHRIST
Presider ,
lifting up the bread
When once he walked among us
as a human being, Jesus said to his friends,
"I am the bread of life," and indeed,
Divinity is our substance and our sustenance.
"Anyone who follows my teaching,
though they have nothing,
yet never shall they hunger."
Presider,
lifting up the chalice
Jesus likewise said
"I am the True Vine..." and indeed,
Divinity is the source of our hope and our joy.
"...Those who abide in me, and I in them,
shall bring forth much fruit."
BREAKING OF BREAD
Presider From the One . . . Come the many . . .
And the many become One.
JESUS' PRAYER
Presider
Therefore, as Jesus taught us, let us pray:
All God our Father, God our Mother,
holy are your names.
May your community be realized,
and your desires manifest
on Earth even as in the heavens.
Grant us this day all that we require,
and as we have been forgiven by you,
help us to forgive others.
Walk with us through the paths of adversity,
stand firm with us in our times of suffering.
For yours are grace, justice,
and love, now and forever. Amen.
Presider And we break bread for those we love not present,
especially . .
.
THE COMMUNION
Presider We have named these gifts
the Bread of Life and the Cup of Joy,
because life and joy are gifts which continually flow
from the gracious hand of our God.
But may these gifts also be for you
whatever it is you need
for God to feed you in this moment.
Life and Joy. These are the gifts of God.
All are invited to share this communion;
for at God's table there is room for all.
Come to the feast prepared for you
from the foundation of the world.
The bread is distributed, saying, "The Bread of Life."
The cup is distributed, saying, "The Cup of Joy."
A brief period of meditation may follow reception of communion.
An a capella song or chant may be sung/said by all.
POST-COMMUNION PRAYER
Presider Let us pray.
All Living God, we thank you
that in this feast you have given us yourself.
Help us, as we go our myriad ways,
to see you likewise given
in all that we eat and drink,
all that we meet, and all that we behold;
Help us to live in this wonder,
so nourishing our souls
that we may see that we ourselves
are the instruments of your grace
and gifts to all the world. Amen.
COMMUNION DANCE
BLESSING
This or another benediction may be used.
Presider Friends, continue your journey walking in love,
Care for one another, care for the earth, seek justice and make peace.
Christ goes before you: live boldly, celebrate, and sing!
Thanks be to God!1
People Thanks be to God!
Liturgy of the Table II = Liberation
The table is set with bread, an empty chalice and a cruet of wine.
PRESENTATION OF THE GIFTS
Presider With this bread, O Christ,
we place here all the creative action of the peoples
of the Earth: their aspirations, their joy,
their achievements, and their work.
With this wine, we behold the sorrows,
the pain, and the suffering of all your Creation.
Into this offering of the world we would gather those closest to us,
our beloved and those at enmity with us,
and with these we unite the great multitude of souls in Creation.
With deepest compassion we join ourselves
with the ceaseless journey of the universe,
past, present, and future, with its joys and sorrows, hopes and fears,
that we may be one with it all.
We draw into this offering every form of life:
animals and plants, rocks and fire, planets and stars, winds and waters;
and we offer ourselves, all we have, and all that we are.
Let all existence be now placed here on our altar
that with joy and gratitude we may offer it to you.2
Come and gather around God's table.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Presider Christ is here.
People The Spirit is with us.
Presider Open your hearts.
People We offer them to God.
Presider Let us give thanks to the Infinite One.
People We rejoice to give thanks and praise.
Presider It is a right and good and joyful thing
in all ways and everywhere to give thanks to you,
O God... Presider may say a proper preface
Therefore we join in the chorus of praise
that rings throughout eternity, with angels and archangels,
prophets and martyrs, creatures of earth, sea and sky
and all the holy women and men of every culture and age.
Together with rocks, hills, waters, mountains,
suns, moons, and stars,
we magnify you as we sing/say:
HOLY, HOLY, HOLY
All Holy, holy, holy, God of love and power,
All Creation speaks of your glory, O God-with-us.
Blessed are we who come in the name of our God!
Hosanna, Hosanna from our hearts!
THANKING THE CREATOR
Presider We thank you, O God,
that in every time and place
you have made your home
with the poor and the powerless.
With your hand you led your people Israel
out of bondage to Egypt.
Through your prophets
you taught your people to do justice,
to love mercy and to walk humbly
in your Spirit.
In Jesus of Nazareth
you made your home with us,
and taught us that it is the meek
who shall inherit the earth;
that those who suffer for what is right
are blessed in your eyes.
Through him you lived and died as one of us,
preaching the Good News of liberation
to the poor and the oppressed.
And even now you embrace us in love,
and give us strength to bring this Good News to all.
REMEMBERING CHRIST
Presider At the feast of Passover,
Jesus and his friends met
to celebrate their ritual meal.
According to tradition,
their rabbi picked up
the unleavened bread to bless it,
and surprised them instead with new words.
Likening the bread to his own body
about to be broken, he broke the bread,
and passed it around the circle.
When the time came
for the final cup of wine to be shared,
Jesus again spoke new words,
and likened the wine to his own blood
about to be spilled.
CONSECRATION
Presider In the same way, therefore,
we offer to you, O holy God,
this simple bread and this wine:
Bless them now + that they may become for us
symbols of love and liberation,
as we praise you saying:
BREAKING OF BREAD
Presider, elevating the bread Blessed are you,
Eternal Sustainer of the Universe;
For through your miraculous creation,
you bring forth grain from the Earth.
As these kernels were scattered upon the mountains
and were gathered and made one loaf,
even so do you make us one, for we are children of one Earth,
and partake of one bread.
The bread is broken
Therefore, when the bodies, spirits, and homes of others are broken, we
are broken.
Presider, elevating the cruet Blessed are you,
Eternal Sustainer of the Universe;
For through your miraculous creation,
you bring forth the fruit of the vine.
As the fruit of many vines is put into
one press to be crafted into one vintage,
even so you have made us all one family,
sharing one blood.
Filling the cup Therefore, when the life-blood
of any creature spills, our blood is spilled.
Today/Tonight, we break bread for the suffering of the Earth,
for those whose habitats have been destroyed,
for those who struggle for justice,
who have paid the price for freedom
with their own flesh and blood,
and for the millions who suffer oppression,
sickness, and distress.
And we break bread for those we love, especially . . .
JESUS' PRAYER
Presider Present with each other, and all the world in spirit,
we share this simple meal together as one family, offering this
bread and this cup as signs of struggle and hope for all creatures,
praying as Jesus taught us:
All God our Father, God our Mother,
holy are your names.
May your community be realized,
and your desires manifest
on Earth even as in the heavens.
Grant us this day all that we require,
and as we have been forgiven by you,
help us to forgive others.
Walk with us through the paths of adversity,
stand firm with us in our times of suffering.
For yours are grace, justice,
and love, now and forever. Amen.
THE COMMUNION
Presider All are invited to share this communion;
for we are all one people. Come to the feast prepared
for you from the foundation of the world.
Communion proceeds in silence, or with the following words:
"We are all one body." "We are all one blood."
POST-COMMUNION COVENANT
All Therefore we covenant with one another
to work until bodies are broken no more,
To act until blood is no more spilled,
To practice peace until all can dance on the land
beneath the sun, eating their grain with joy
And drinking the fruit of the vine with a merry heart.
One day there shall be peace!
One day all -- All -- shall rejoice!3
COMMUNION DANCE
BLESSING
This or another benediction may be used.
Presider Friends, continue your journey walking in love,
Care for one another, care for the earth, seek justice and make peace.
Christ goes before you: live boldly, celebrate, and sing!
Thanks be to God!1
People Thanks be to God!
