The Texts of the Holy Thursday Mass of the Lord's Supper

Opening Prayer

Sacratíssimam, Deus, frequentántibus Cenam,

In qua Unigéntius tuus, morti se traditúrus,

Novum in saécula sacríficium

Dilectionísque suae convívium Ecclésiae commendávit,

da nobis, quaésumus, ut ex tanto mystério

plentitúdinem caritátus hauriámus et vitae.

             God our Father,

            We are gathered here to share in the supper

            Which your only Son left to his Church to reveal his love.

            He gave it to us when he was about to die

           And commanded us to celebrate it as the new and eternal sacrifice.

           We pray the in this eucharist

           We may find the fullness of love and life.

(This prayer recalls that this Eucharistic banquet is a communal celebration,

something to be shared among those who share in the faith of Christ.

This liturgy is also something instituted by Christ as a sign of his love,

and is the sign of the new and eternal sacrifice.

While the author of Matthew doesn't use the phrase "do this in memory of me" there is a clear intention of Christ that this Eucharist is to continue after he has departed. 

The themes of institution, sacrifice and covenant, so important to the text of the institution of the Eucharist, are clearly present in this prayer, with the resulting petition being one of desire to find in this Eucharist a love for others.)

Preface of the Holy Eucharist

Qui verus aeternúsque Sacérdos, formam sacrifícii perénnis instítutens,

Hóstiam tibi se primus óblulit salutárem, et nos,

In sui memoriam, praecépit offérre.

Cuius carnem pro nobis immolátam dum súmimus, roborámur,

Et fusum pro nobis sánguinem dum potámus, ablúimur.

            He is the true and eternal priest

            Who established this unending sacrifice.

            He offered himself as a victim for our deliverance

            And taught us to make this offering in his memory.

            As we eat his body which he gave for us, we grow in strength.

            As we drink his blood which he poured out for us,

            We are washed clean…..

(This preface introduces a concept not directly stated in the Gospels yet implied; Christ is the true and eternal priest.  While all of the elements of vs. 26-28 are found in this prayer (deliverance, offering, memory, cleansing of sins, sacrifice), none is more poignant than that of Christ the Priest.   It is fitting, therefore, that this preface is used on the day when all priests celebrate the ministry given to them and modeled for them by Jesus Christ.  All priests are called to join themselves to Christ in the sacrifice made new on the altar.  All priests are called to daily give of themselves for the salvation of souls.  All priests are truly acting in the person of Christ.)