We come to the part of the Roman Canon (Eucharistic Prayer I) called the “Memento of the Living,” or the “Remembrance of the Living.” At this point the priest prays, “Remember, Lord, your servants N. and N. and all gathered here.” Here the priest prays silently calling to mind by name all those he desires to remember in this Eucharistic Sacrifice. Certainly, if the Mass intention is for a living person, it is most appropriate to pray for that person or persons at this time.
The priest also prays for “all gathered here whose faith and devotion are known to you.” This speaks of the importance of being physically present at Mass. Each and every person present is the beneficiary of the prayers of the priest who stands in the person of Christ and offers the Sacrifice of the Cross. Their faith and devotion, the state of their soul, is known to God alone. Nevertheless, at the most perfect prayer of all, that of the Eucharistic Sacrifice, everyone present is remembered.
The priest continues, “For them we offer you this sacrifice of praise or they offer it for themselves and for all who are dear to them.” This indicates that the Church’s faith from her founding proclaims that a priest must offer the Sacrifice of the Mass, because he stands in “the person of Christ” by virtue of his ordination. St. Ignatius of Antioch (d. 110 AD) in his Letter to the Smyrnaeans, wrote, “Let only the Eucharist be regarded as legitimate, which is celebrated under (the presidency of) the bishop or him to whom he has entrusted it.” (8:1) However, the faithful by virtue of their baptism participate in the common priesthood, and they, too, offer the Sacrifice, but in another way. The faithful participate in the offering of themselves and their prayers in union with the Sacrifice on the Altar. The Fathers of the Second Vatican Council in Presbyterorum Ordinis, the Decree on the Life and Ministry of Priests, taught, “Through the ministry of priests the spiritual sacrifice of the faithful is completed in union with the sacrifice of Christ, the only Mediator, which in the Eucharist is offered through the priests’ hands in the name of the whole Church in an unbloody and sacramental manner until the Lord Himself comes” (2:4). Thus, we see that, rightly understood, the faithful participate wonderfully and really in the offering of the Sacrifice at Mass by their offerings being united to the Sacrifice of Christ offered through the ministry of the priest (i.e. “through the priests’ hands.”)
Each and every person present at Mass is immersed in the Sacrifice of the Lord and enjoys the efficacy of its power. That is why the prayer of the priest for the living and the prayers of the faithful for “the redemption of their souls, in hope of health and well-being”, draw upon the life-giving sacrifice of Jesus on the Cross. When we come to pray at Mass, the mercy of God, His life of grace, and the healing of His love is at our disposal. The priest and the faithful together join in the Sacrifice of the Lord “paying their homage to you, the eternal God, living and true”. It is an awesome honor and grace to participate in the Mass!
So, let us come to Mass with renewed faith and hearts filled with praise! Let us pray with confidence for one another and for all who need our prayers!
Most Reverend William J. Waltersheid
Auxiliary Bishop of Pittsburgh