A UNIVERSAL EUCHARISTIC LITURGY – Rite 1

(The celebrant introduces the Mass and greets the community)

INVOCATION

Priest: Fullness there, fullness here, from fullness fullness proceeds. Once fullness has proceeded from fullness, fullness remains.

All: Amen

Or

Priest: From the unreal lead us to the Real! From darkness lead us to light! From death lead us to immortality!

All: Amen

PURIFICATION RITE

(The celebrant washes his hands and sprinkles some water on the people saying:)

Priest: As our body is made clean by this water, may our soul be made spotless by your grace.

Priest: I n all times and all places God has used His prophets to reveal the paths to life or death. To some He has given the Ten Commandments; to some He has given the Laws of Manu; to some He has given the Eight-fold path; to others He has given the Shariah; and to all He has given the conscience to know right from wrong. I ask each of you to examine your heart according to the measure God has given you.

(After a period of reflection all pray:)

All: Praise to the refuge of all

Praise to the most merciful

Praise to him who is eternal purity

Praise to the spotless one

Praise to the destroyer of sin

Praise to the protector of the just

Praise to the remover of ignorance.

(The celebrant, holding the right hand up, facing the people, pronounces the following formula of absolution:)

Priest: May the God of peace who brought from the dead our Redeemer, the great shepherd of the sheep, by the blood of the eternal and universal covenant, cleanse you from all your wrong doings and strengthen you with everything good, that you may do God’s will, working in you that which is pleasing in His sight, through our Redeemer to whom be glory for ever and ever. R: Amen.

(All exchange a sign of the peace.)

LIGHTING OF THE CANDLE OF PEACE

(A large candle on the altar is lit by the celebrant.)

All: Praise to the divine light

Praise to the true light

Praise to the light of life

Praise to the light of the world

Praise to the light of the self

Praise to the inner light.

Priest: Eternal light, shining beyond the heaven's radiant sun, illuminating all regions, above, below and across, true light enlightening every one coming into the world, dispel the darkness of our hearts and enlighten us with the splendor of your glory.

All: Your word is a lamp for our steps a light on our path.

(The celebrant touches the flame with the tips of his fingers and then brings his fingers to his eyes. All turn to the light and perform the same gesture.)

LITURGY OF THE WORD

(Homage is paid to the books with light and incense)

(During the readings, the people remain with open hands and the palms turned upwards resting on their knees.)

(The celebrant blesses the scripture readers with the following blessing:)

Priest: May he who quickens the intellect and kindles the heart strengthen you with his power to proclaim the saving word.

UPANISHADS OR BHAGAVAD GITA

(Here is read a text from either the Hindu Upanishads or Bhagavad Gita which relates to the Christian Gospel.)

Reader: A reading from the (name of text). [Reading of the Text}

All: Praise be to God

(A short silent meditation.)

DHAMMAPADA OR SUTRA

(Here is read a text from either the Buddhist Dhammapada or a Buddhist sutra which relates to the Christian Gospel.)

Reader: A reading from the (name of text) [Reading of the Text}

All: Praise be to God

(A short silent meditation.)

HEBREW TESTAMENT OR KORAN

(Here is read a text from either the Hebrew Testament or Muslim Koran which relates to the Christian Gospel.)

Reader: A reading from the (name of text) [Reading of the Text}

All: Praise be to God

(A short silent meditation.)

(The celebrant or bishop blesses the gospeller saying:)

Priest: May the Lord be in (your/my) heart and on (your/my) lips that through my heart the love of God may shine forth and through my lips his spiritual power be manifest.

The Holy Gospel (Stand)

The Holy Gospel verses appointed for the day are read from the pulpit or in the midst of the congregation.

P: The Holy Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ according to...

C: Glory be to You, O Lord.

P: [The text is read.] The Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

C: Praise be to You, O Christ.

Sermon (Sit) or Silent Meditation

The Prayers of the People (Sit)

D: Let us pray for people of faith and for the world. Grant, Almighty God, that all who confess your Name may be united in your truth, live together in your love, and reveal your glory in the world. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

D: Guide the people of this land, and of all the nations, in the ways of justice and peace; that we may honor one another and serve the common good. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

D: Give us all a reverence for the earth as your own creation, that we may use its resources rightly in the service of others and to your honor and glory. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

D: Bless all whose lives are closely linked with ours (especially, ...) and grant that we may serve our Redeemer in them, and love one another as He loves us. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

D: Comfort and heal all those who suffer in body, mind, or spirit (especially, ...); give them courage and hope in their troubles, and bring them the joy of your salvation. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

D: We commend to your mercy all who have died (especially, ...), that your will for them may be fulfilled; and we pray that we may share with all the saints in your eternal kingdom. Lord, in your mercy,

C: Hear our prayer.

D: We pray for the peace of the world; that our divisions may cease, that we may be delivered from hardness of heart, and that all may be one through You, O Lord.

C: Amen.

A General Thanksgiving (Sit)

P: From out of midst the prayers of our mouths, the desires of our hearts, the needs of our community have risen to You, O Holy Father, Giver of all good gifts. And from Your Throne, the high seat of Heaven, You have stretched forth Your Swift, Sure Right Hand and touched our lives. You’ve made strong the weak, rich the poor, joyous the despondent, comforted the lonely, lightened the darkness of those lost, and have taken the burdens of our souls from us. All our thanks, all our praise be unto You and may we, by seeing the miracles You have wrought among us, grow stronger in faith and more faithful in our service to You. To You, our Lord and King, do we bend our knees and once again pledge all our hearts, all our souls, all our strength, and all our minds to your service and to the spreading of Your Kingdom to the very edges of this world.

C: In the power of our Redeemer and Lord. Amen.

Hymn (Stand)

Affirmation of Faith (Stand)

A:  We believe that there is that of God in every person.  All human beings, regardless of religious beliefs, have the ability of unmediated spiritual communion and relationship with the transcendent Divine that is immanent within; We believe that spiritual awareness may be achieved by everyone everywhere.  It may be experienced through the teachings of all the great religious systems or in the personal and private experiences of an individual seeker who may have no religion at all.  Spiritual awareness is accessible to everyone of any religion or none.  No faith can claim to have a final revelation or monopoly of truth.  We acknowledge that such awareness may be expressed in many different ways.  We delight in this diversity.  While being convinced of the validity of our own religious path, we not only accept but also rejoice that others find validity in their own spiritual tradition, whatever it may be. Each of us must find our own path, and each of us can benefit from the search of others.   We believe that underlying the infinite diversity of life is the unity of one all-pervasive Spirit. We seek unity with all creation, joining with the increased awareness that a peace testimony includes reverence toward all life. We believe the Light, the Life, the Truth, the Love of God is revealed directly to every human being, of every race and religion, without the requirement of any intermediary such as church, priest, or sacred book. Each of us has the choice of relying on ourselves or discerning and following the Divine Light within.

Gloria Patri (Stand)

P: Glory be to the Creator, the Redeemer, and the Divine Wisdom.

C: As it was in the beginning, is now, and ever shall be, world without end. Amen.

The Holy Eucharist

The Offertorium (Sit)

A hymn is sung while the offertory alms are collected. The alms and the Eucharistic elements are brought to the altar. Offerings of dried rice, dried lentils, and flower petals may be included. At the end of the hymn the Priest says the following:

P: From the rising of the sun even unto the going down of the same the Lord's name shall be magnified; and in every place incense shall be offered unto His name and a pure offering. There shall be heard in this place the voice of joy and the voice of gladness, the voice of them that shall bring the sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving into the house of the Lord.

The Doxology (Stand)

A: Praise God from whom all blessings flow. Praise Him all creatures here below. Praise Him above ye heavenly hosts. Praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

The offertory alms are removed from the altar. The people are seated. The Priest offers the host saying:

P: We adore thee, O God, who are the source of all life and goodness and with true and thankful hearts we offer unto you this sign of your own life-giving gifts bestowed upon us, you who are the giver of all.

He pours wine and a little water into the chalice saying:

P: According to immemorial custom, we now mix water with this wine, praying, O Lord, that we may evermore abide in our Redeemer and He in us.

He offers the chalice saying:

P: We offer unto you, O Lord, this chalice with joy and gladness; may the worship we offer ascend before your divine majesty as a sacrifice, pure and acceptable in your sight; through our Redeemer.

C: Amen.

The Censing of the Altar (Sit)

A priest censes the altar, saying:

P: As this incense rises before you, O Lord, so let our prayer be set forth in your sight. Let your holy angels encompass your people and breathe forth upon them the spirit of your blessing.

He then censes the assisting ministers and the people, saying:

P: May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of His love and the flame of everlasting charity.

C: Amen.

Lavabo (Sit)

P: I will wash my hands in innocency, O Lord: and so will I go to your altar. That I may show the voice of thanksgiving; and tell of all your wondrous works. Glory be to the Creator, and to the Redeemer (+), and to the Divine Wisdom. As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever shall be; world without end.

C: Amen.

P: Lord, be with me in the breaking of the bread and in the offering of wine. Bless my body and soul for they are yours.

C: Amen.

Orate Fratres (Sit)

P: Throughout the ages and in the great faiths of the world, God has revealed to us that our creation, our salvation, and our sustenance are dependent on His unselfish act of sacrifice. We have our existence solely due to the self-giving of the Compassionate and all-Merciful One. Herein we commemorate His sacrifice and offer ourselves to Him. Brethren, pray that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty.

C: May the Lord receive the sacrifice at your hands and sanctify our lives in His service.

P: We lay before you, O Lord, these your creatures of bread and wine, in token of our sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving; for here we offer and present unto you ourselves, our souls and bodies, to be a holy and continual sacrifice unto you, that we, who are very members incorporate in the mystical body of the Redeemer, which is the blessed company of all faithful people, may hear his most joyful voice: "Come unto me, O you that are blessed of my Father and possess the kingdom which is prepared for you from the beginning of the world," through the same Redeemer, who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Divine Wisdom, ever one God throughout all ages of ages.

C: Amen.

Sursum Corda and Sanctus (Stand)

P: The Lord be with you.

C: And with your spirit.

P: Lift up your hearts.

C: We lift them up unto the Lord.

P: Let us give thanks unto the Lord our God.

C: It is proper and right so to do.

P: It is very proper, right, and our bounden duty that we should at all times and in all places give thanks unto you, O Lord, Holy Father, almighty, everlasting God; through our Redemer;  Therefore, with angels and archangels, with the Holy Apostles and Prophets of all Faiths, the Blessed Saints and Holy Ones, and all the company of heaven, we laud and magnify your glorious name, evermore praising you and saying,

A: Holy, holy, holy. Lord God of Hosts; heaven and earth are full of your glory. Glory be to you, O Lord most high. Blessed is He that comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest!

Prayer of Consecration (Sit or Kneel)

(Based on Celtic folk-prayers.)

P: We thank Thee, our Father, for the life and knowledge which You made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. Even as this broken bread was scattered over the hills, and was gathered together and became one, so let the assembly of Your faithful be gathered together from the ends of the earth into Thy kingdom; for Your’s is the glory and the power through our Redeemer for ever. We thank You, our Father, for the holy vine of David Thy servant, which You made known to us through Jesus Thy Servant; to Thee be the glory for ever. High King of the universe, who sustains the worlds, who brought forth the earth; You breathe wisdom into all your creatures, until we reflect Your love. In our pain and sorrow we cry to Your tender Lamb, slain before the foundation of the world, perfect sacrifice for our sins. Who in the night in which he was betrayed took bread into His holy and venerable hands. And after He had given thanks, He blessed it and broke it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and eat of this all of you, for this is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." In like manner he took the cup. And after He had given thanks, He blessed it and gave it to His disciples, saying, "Take and drink of this all of you, for this is my blood, the blood of the new covenant which is shed for many for the remission of sins. As often as you do this, do it in remembrance of me." For as often as we eat of this bread and drink of this cup we proclaim the Lord's death until He comes.

A: The Redeemer has died. The Redeemer is risen. The Redeemer will come again.

P: Therefore, Heavenly Father, with this bread and wine we remember the life our Lord offered for us. And we pray that you will send your Divine Wisdom, the Spirit of our Lord and of His resurrection, that these elements may become for us the Body (+) and Blood (+) of our Redemption and Salvation. In the name of the Creator, of the Redeemer (+), and of the Divine Wisdom.

C: Amen.

The Lord's Prayer (Sit or Kneel)

P: And now we pray as our God’s servant, Jesus Christ, taught us.

The Priest elevates the host.

C: Our Father, who art in heaven; hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come; thy will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever and ever. Amen.

Fracture and Agnus Dei (Sit or Kneel)

The Priest breaks the host while it is elevated.

P: O Lamb of God, that takes away the sins of the world;

C: Have mercy on us.

P: You that take away the sins of the world;

C: Receive our prayer.

P: You that sit on the right hand of God the Father;

A: Grant us your peace. For you only are holy; you only are the Lord. You only, O Christ, with the Holy Spirit, are most high in the glory of God the Father. Amen.

Communion Prayer (Sit or Kneel)

A: Lord grant me, I pray you in Your name, through the receiving of this Blessed Sacrament, that love which knows no fall, so that my lamp may feel Your kindling touch and know no quenching, may burn for me, and may give light for others. O Lord, who is present in the bread and wine, bless the path on which we tread and guide us in the way to your Kingdom. Amen.

P: Redeemer, most sweet, deign to kindle our lamps through communion with you, that they may shine continually in your temple, and receive perpetual light from you, the eternal Light, so that our darkness may be driven from us. May we become broken bread and poured out wine, abiding in you and you in us.

C: Amen.

Holy Communion (Sit or Kneel)

P: Risen Lord, we welcome you. You are the flowering bough of creation; from you cascades music like a million stars, truth to cleanse a myriad of souls. From you flee demons, omens and all ill will. Around you rejoice the angels of light. Father, send us the tender Spirit of Your Holy Sacrifice; feed us with the Bread of Heaven; refresh us with the Cup of Salvation. (The celebrant communes.) God sacrifices Himself for us.

C: Therefore, let us keep the feast.

The Invitation (Sit or Kneel)

P: All you who truly and earnestly repent of your sins, and are in love and charity with your neighbors, and intend to lead a new life, following the commandments of God, and walking from henceforth in His holy ways: Draw near with faith, and receive this Blessed Sacrament for your spiritual health and comfort.

C: Amen.

Communicants come to the altar in an orderly fashion, receiving the Bread in their hands with palms upright. Communicants may receive from the Chalice or by Intinction. If by Intinction, when the Chalice Bearer passes with the Cup, he will dip the Bread into the Wine and place the Bread on the communicant's tongue. After receiving Holy Communion please remain at the altar rail to receive a Priestly blessing before returning to your seat.

Post-Communion (Sit or Kneel)

P: Heaven is intertwined with earth.

C: We have taken the divine life into ourselves.

P: And so each may say,

A: I rise up clothed in the strength of God. I am no longer imprisoned by sin. I shall not be harmed by evil.

P: There is only one river.

C: There is only one sea.

P: And it flows through you; and it flows through me.

C: There is only one people,

P: We are one and the same.

C: We are all one spirit.

P: We are all one name.

C: We are the father,

P: Mother, daughter, and son.

C: From the dawn of creation,

A: We are one.

Benediction (Sit or Kneel)

P: May the Lord bless you and keep you. May he make his face to shine upon you and be gracious to you. May he lift up his countenance on you and give you peace. In the power of the Creator, and of the Redeemer (+), and of the Divine Wisdom.

C: Amen.

Recessional Hymn (Stand)

Extinguishing of Candles & Postlude (Sit)

Dismissal (Sit)

D: Go in peace and in the strength of God. The Mass is ended.

C: Thanks be to God. Amen.