Last week we looked at the longest Eucharistic Prayer (The Roman Canon) and this week we will look at the shortest Eucharistic Prayer (Eucharistic Prayer II). As I have mentioned the past couple of sessions of our Catholic Massterclass, there is controversy over the reality of options for the Eucharistic Prayer. Nonetheless, we have a variety and each of them has unique characteristics and often rich imagery in the prayers. Here are some unique characteristics of Eucharistic Prayer II (EPII):

The first unique feature of Eucharistic Prayer II is that it includes its own proper Preface, though it may also be used with other Prefaces from the Roman Missal. It is Trinitarian in its emphasis and has strong connections with a very early version of the Eucharistic Prayer used during Mass in the early Church.

As I mentioned, EPII is the briefest of all of the Eucharistic Prayers and appears best suited for weekday Masses, although it can also be used on Sundays and Holy Days. One of the reasons for this is the mention of the dewfall during the epiclesis: “Make holy…these gifts…by sending down your Spirit upon them like the dewfall…” This is a strong reference to the miraculous bread from Heaven that came to the people in the desert by way of the morning dew bringing the manna on the ground each morning. Those who attend Mass during the week are coming to receive their daily miraculous Bread from Heaven.

One more unique characteristic of EPII that I will mention comes toward the end of the Prayer and sounds a little awkward: “Remember also our brothers and sisters who have fallen asleep in the hope of the resurrection, and all who have died in your mercy: welcome them into the light of your face.” Where does that line come from? What does that mean? There are several references in the Old Testament, especially in the Psalms, that refer to God shining the light of His face upon those He wishes to care for and save. When we pray that the dead be welcomed into ‘the light of God’s face,’ we are asking that they be brought into God’s saving presence—what Scripture describes as seeing God face to face, which is Heaven itself. Beautiful!

A very neat fact about Eucharistic Prayer II is that the entire prayer has connections with the worship of the early Church. St. Hippolytus lived during the 3rd century - 1800 years ago - and he wrote out the prayer used during the consecration of the Holy Eucharist when people gathered for worship, and it is remarkably similar to Eucharistic Prayer II. While scholars debate details of its exact authorship and use, the Church sees in it a trustworthy witness to very early Eucharistic prayer. You could search online for “Eucharistic Prayer from St. Hippolytus” to see what I mean. Though the prayer fell out of use over time, the Church has endorsed a return to it as we worship God and seek his daily miraculous Bread from Heaven.