Origins of the Preface

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Gwyn
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Parish / Diocese: Archdiocese of Cardiff
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Origins of the Preface

Post by Gwyn »

Good evening brethren and sistren,
I wonder can anyone throw a little light on the origin and history of The Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer?
To my shame I so often take the Preface for granted, often listening out for crucial cue-words such as "May our voices be one with them . . . "
Thanks,
Gwyn.
Southern Comfort
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Re: Origins of the Preface

Post by Southern Comfort »

Gwyn wrote: Thu Apr 02, 2020 9:20 pm Good evening brethren and sistren,
I wonder can anyone throw a little light on the origin and history of The Preface to the Eucharistic Prayer?
To my shame I so often take the Preface for granted, often listening out for crucial cue-words such as "May our voices be one with them . . . "
Thanks,
Gwyn.
You could start here: https://www.homeofthemother.org/en/reso ... 85-preface

and here: http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/12384a.htm
John Ainslie
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Re: Origins of the Preface

Post by John Ainslie »

There's plenty of meat in the hyperlinks provided by Southern Comfort.

Why "preface"? It sounds like just a preamble to the main Prayer after the Sanctus. It isn't. It's an integral part of the Eucharistic Prayer. The main verb of the first sentence is 'give you thanks', i.e. make Eucharist.

The name 'preface' comes from Latin 'praefatio', which means doing something along with or in front of others - which is what liturgy is about.
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Gwyn
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Joined: Wed Dec 24, 2003 3:42 pm
Parish / Diocese: Archdiocese of Cardiff
Location: Abertillery, South Wales UK

Re: Origins of the Preface

Post by Gwyn »

Thanks S.C., thanks John.
Very useful indeed.
Gwyn.
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