School of Theology and Seminary Graduate Papers/Theses

Date of Award

5-5-2003

Document Type

Graduate Paper

Degree Name

Master of Arts in Liturgical Studies

Department

School of Theology and Seminary

First Advisor

Martin F. Connell

Subject Categories

Christianity | Liturgy and Worship | Religion

Abstract

This paper presents an exegetical analysis of the petitions of the Lord's Prayer followed by an historical and theological review of its ritual usage within the communion rite. By examining each petition in detail, we see a close parallel between the contents of this prayer and the contents of the Eucharistic Prayer. This prayer helps us to more concretely grasp what it means to be a eucharistic people. Given this understanding the Lord's Prayer's ritual usage is examined throughout history. In particular, we look at shifts in who prays the various parts of the prayer during the liturgy, the contents and the method of praying the embolism, and the presence of the doxology. This paper concludes by suggesting that one area not addressed by the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, the position of the Lord's Prayer within the communion rite, is in need of attention. The Lord's Prayer would function more clearly as preparation for communion if it were placed after the fraction rite, as it was prior to the 6th-century reforms of Gregory the Great.

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