Anglican Eucharistic Theology - Shape of The Rite

Shape of The Rite

As mentioned above, the liturgy for Eucharist is important in Anglican Eucharistic theology because of the principle of lex orandi, lex credendi. The liturgy is defined in the authorised prayer books of the various national churches and ecclesiastical provinces of the Communion. Their communion rites follow one or other of two main sources, either the First English Prayer Book of 1549 or the Second of 1552 which with minor modifications became the 1662 BCP which is still today the liturgical legal reference-point for the Church of England. The author of both rites was Thomas Cranmer who maintained that there was no theological difference between the two, but was forced to make its Protestantism more obvious when traditionalists claimed that they could still find the doctrine of the Mass in the earlier version.

Some or all of the following elements may be altered, transposed, or absent depending on the rite used by the province or national church. In modern liturgies whichever source (1549 or 1552) they follow for the Sacrament, the Liturgy of the Word has, with variations, a fairly standard pattern :

• The Liturgy of The Word
  • The Gathering of the Community: Beginning with a Trinitarian-based greeting or seasonal acclamation; followed by the Prayer of Humble Access; the Gloria in Excelsis Deo, Kyrie eleison, and/or Trisagion; and then the Collect of the day. During Lent and/or Advent especially, this part of the service may begin or end with a penitential rite.
  • The Proclamation of the Word: Usually two to three readings of Scripture, one of which is always from the Gospels, plus a psalm (or portion thereof) or canticle. This is followed by a sermon or homily; the recitation of the Apostles' or Nicene Creed;
  • The Prayers of the People: Very varied in form. The passing of the peace may be placed here.
• The Liturgy of Sacrament (1549 style)
  • The Celebration of the Eucharist: The gifts of bread and wine are received, along with other gifts (such as money and/or food for a food bank, etc.), and an offertory prayer is recited. Following this, a Eucharistic Prayer (called "The Great Thanksgiving") is offered. This prayer consists of a dialogue (the Sursum Corda), a preface, the sanctus and benedictus, the Words of Institution, the anamnesis, and the epiclesis. The Lord's Prayer usually follows, followed by the fraction (the breaking of the bread), the Prayer of Humble Access, the Agnus Dei, and the distribution of the sacred elements (the bread and wine).
  • Dismissal there is a post-Communion prayer. A doxology or general prayer of thanksgiving may follow. The service concludes with a Trinitarian blessing and the dismissal.
• The Liturgy of Sacrament (1552/1662 style):
  • The priest prepares the table. Invitation to examine oneself, confession, absolution, "comfortable words". The Sursum Corda, preface, the sanctus, Prayer of Humble Access, Words of Institution. Then comes the distribution of the elements, the Lord's Prayer, concluding prayer of thanksgiving, the Gloria in Excelsis Deo and blessing.