Presider’s Page for 23 June (Corpus Christi)

SUGGESTED SONGS: ‘One Bread, One Body’ (Eucharistic Congress Song); ‘Soul of My Saviour’; ‘Come to my Heart, Lord Jesus’; ‘See Us Lord About Thine Altar’; ‘I am the Bread of Life’.
Opening Comment
Since the beginning of time, God has always nourished his people. Today we celebrate our creator’s kindness in giving us the Body and Blood of Christ to our food.
Penitential Rite
My brothers and sisters, to prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries, let us call to mind our sins: (pause)
Lord Jesus, you raise us to new life: Lord, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you forgive us our sins: Christ, have mercy.
Lord Jesus, you feed us with your body and blood: Lord, have mercy.
Alternative Opening Prayer (1998 ICEL Missal)
You have blessed all generations,
O God most high,
in Jesus, our compassionate Saviour,
for through him you invite us to your kingdom,
welcome us to your table,
and provide us with nourishment in abundance.
Teach us to imitate your unfailing kindness
and to build up Christ’s body, the Church,
by generously handing on to others
the gifts we have received from your bounty.
We ask this through our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son,
who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
God for ever and ever.
Introduction to the Scripture Readings
Genesis 14: 18-20 Melchizedek the priest praises the creator and blesses Abraham using bread and wine
1 Corinthians 11: 23-26 Paul tells the story of what happened at the Last Supper.
Luke 9: 11-17 Luke’s version of the story of Jesus feeding the five thousand, where twelve baskets of food were left over from the meal of five loaves and two fish.
BIDDING PRAYERS
Introduction (by the Presider) Let us ask our great and powerful God to help us in all our needs.

1. That those who celebrate the Eucharist may have a strong faith in the real presence of Christ (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.
2. That clergy and others called to minister the Eucharist may always show reverence (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.
3. That Christians all over the world may share willingly with the hungry (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.
4. That those who provide food and drink for us may receive a blessing for their good work (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.
5. That priests, by the simplicity of their lives, may stay close to those who are most poor (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.
6. That the sick and sorrowful may receive God’s healing power (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.

The presider prays for the dead: For our dead (especially N and N), that all who have eaten the Bread of Life may gain a place at the eternal banquet (we pray quietly in our hearts for this). Lord, hear us.
Conclusion (by the Presider) Great and powerful God, you care for your people with loving kindness, hear the prayers we make in faith, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
PRAYER OVER THE GIFTS
Gracious Lord and God,
bestow upon your Church
the blessings of unity and peace,
of which these offerings
are the sacramental sign.
We ask this through Jesus Christ our Lord
PREFACE (Holy Eucharist II)
It is truly right and just,
our duty and our salvation,
always and everywhere to give you thanks,
holy Father, almighty and eternal God,
through Jesus Christ our Lord.
At the Last Supper, as he sat at table with his apostles,
Jesus offered himself to you as the Lamb without blemish,
the acceptable gift that gives you perfect praise.
He left this memorial of his passion
to continue its saving power until the end of time.
In this great sacrament you feed your people
and strengthen them in holiness,
so that the human family, which shares the same earth,
may be enlightened by one faith
and drawn together by one love.
We come then to this sacramental table
to be transformed by your grace
into the likeness of the risen Christ.
And, therefore, earth unites with heaven
to sing a new song of praise;
we too join with the hosts of angels
as they proclaim your glory without end: HOLY, HOLY, HOLY…
EUCHARISTIC PRAYER II (with interpolation for Sunday mornings)
Lord, you are holy indeed,
you are the fountain of all holiness.
[In communion with the whole Church,
we have assembled on this day which you have made holy,
and, rejoicing that you have made us a new creation in your risen Son,
we pray:]
Send down your Spirit upon these gifts to make them holy,
that they may become for us
the body + and blood of our Lord, Jesus Christ.
Before he was given up to death,
a death he freely accepted,
he took bread and gave you thanks;
he broke the bread,
gave it to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT IT:
THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU.
When supper was ended, he took the cup;
again he gave you thanks,
gave the cup to his disciples, and said:
TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT:
THIS IS THE CUP OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING COVENANT.
IT WILL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR ALL,
SO THAT SINS MAY BE FORGIVEN.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME.
The mystery of faith…..
Remembering therefore his death and resurrection,
we offer you, Lord God,
this life-giving bread, this saving cup.
We thank you for counting us worthy
to stand in your presence and serve you.
We pray that all of us who share in the body and blood of Christ
may be gathered into one by the Holy Spirit.
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world:
perfect us in love
together with Francis our Pope and N. our Bishop,
with all bishops, priests, and deacons,
and all who minister to your people.
Remember our brothers and sisters
who have gone to their rest
in the sure hope of rising again;
bring them and all who have died in your mercy
into the light of your presence.
Have mercy on us all:
make us worthy to share eternal life,
with Mary, the virgin Mother of God,
with the apostles and with all the saints,
who have found favour with you throughout the ages;
in union with them
may we praise you and give you glory
through your Son, Jesus Christ.
Through him, with him, In him,
in the unity of the Holy Spirit,
all glory and honour is yours, almighty Father,
for ever and ever.
PRAYER AFTER COMMUNION
Lord Jesus Christ,
bring us one day
to that eternal union with your Godhead,
which is prefigured here on earth
by our sharing in your sacred body and blood.
You live and reign for ever and ever.