Our confirmands.
THE GREAT THANKSGIVING
Gratitude is the basic feeling of a forgiven and empowered Christian person. Therefore, the litugical expression of classic Christianity is the "Great Thanksgiving" or Eucharist.
The term "Great Thanksgiving" refers to the major prayer offered by the priest recalling God's mercy and love in the past and connecting this mercy and love with the bread and wine to be shared by the believers.This liturgical prayer has many sections, representing many centuries and communities of Christian faith.
"Lift up your hearts." We lift them up unto the Lord." These introductory words of a formalized conversation set the tone for the prayers and actions that follow.
First, the Sanctus--a quotation from Isaiah 6—"Holy, Holy, Holy" leading to the self-offering of the prophet,"Lord, send me."
Second, the Benedictus—"Blessed is He who comes in the Name of the Lord." This selection from a Psalm quoted in the description of Palm Sunday is dramatic—it lets us welcome Jesus as he arrives in the sacrament and it reminds us that we can be fickle and disobedient.
Next: Changing Bread and Wine