Thursday, March 06, 2008

Eucharistic Prayer: what's with omitting the intercession for clergy (and the add-ons, by the way)?

The most common, in my experience, Eucharistic Prayer used is Number 2. (My preference is the Roman Canon but my preference isn't, nor should it be, pertinent to this post, anyway.)

In most cases, it's "by the book," so to speak, but I've noticed—and have been distracted by—the ad libbing of certain celebrants, particularly in the intercessory part of the prayer.

For example:

In Eucharistic Prayer Number 2, the missal reads:

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love, together with [Benedict] our Pope, [Sean] our bishop, and all the clergy.

However, about once a week I hear:

Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love, together with Benedict our Pope, Sean our bishop, and all your holy people.

Or some such variation.

I've got a two-fold problem with this:

1.) It's vital that we pray for the clergy! And, of course...

2.) What about us folk who aren't exactly "holy people?"

What gives with this, I wonder? And why muck around with the Eucharistic Prayer in the first place?