In Search of the Last Supper

July 2009Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon

Archdiocese of Cardiff

1400 BC

The Exodus Community

1000 BC

The Exodus Community Solomon builds a Temple

600 BC

Exodus Community Solomon builds a Temple Jewish exile –

Service of the Word develops

The Time of Jesus

Big Temple services in Jerusalem at the major feasts

The Time of Jesus

Big Temple services in Jerusalem at the major feasts

Local weekly and daily services in regional synagogues

The Time of Jesus

Jesus celebrates Passover. “This is My Body, This is My

Blood.”DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME!

1st Century

Jewish Psalm Service in the morning, Breaking of Bread in the evening

1st-3rd Centuries

Jewish Psalm Service in the morning, Breaking of Bread in the evening

Two services conflate to a recognisable Eucharist, celebrated in a private house

1st-3rd Centuries

Jewish Psalm Service in the morning, Breaking of Bread in the evening

Two services conflate to a recognisable Eucharist, celebrated in a private house

Readings and preachers are not brief!

1st-3rd Centuries On the day called Sunday, all who

live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things.

1st-3rd Centuries Then we all rise together and

pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen

1st-3rd Centuries There is a distribution to each, and a

participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows... in a word takes care of all who are in need.

Constantine

Public buildings can be dedicated for worship, modelled on Roman Law Court – the Basilica

Constantine

Public buildings can be dedicated for worship, modelled on Roman Law Court – the Basilica

Constantine

Constantine

Public buildings can be dedicated for worship, modelled on Roman Law Court – the Basilica

Constantine

12th Century:

Franciscans made the

Roman Missal

Portable!

Gregory the Great

(†604) Latin text

Orthodox Design

College and

MonasticChapels

Jesus College Cambridge(was a 12th Century

convent!)

MonasticChapels

Gothic Cathedral

s

Cathedral + Choir =

Long cross-

shaped Church

So what’s a church

for?

So what’s a church

for?

Gather round altar?

So what’s a church

for?

Choirs sing in

worship?

So what’s a church

for?

Awe and adoration?

Intimacy vs. Reverence

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Intimacy vs. Reverence 1st—3rd C – take the host home,

use it superstitiously...

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Intimacy vs. Reverence Late 1st millennium: daily

communion (but not always Mass)

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Intimacy vs. Reverence 13th Century: look at the Host

but don’t receive! (Easter Duties)

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Intimacy vs. Reverence Mid 16th C – Jesuits succeed in

popularising monthly communion.

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Council of Trent (1545-1563)

Printing Press Protestant Bibles Catholic Missals!

Standard Missal – Pius V (1570) Considered Vernacular for Mass Communion: Only the Host! All kneel. Demise of rood screens! Reunion with Eastern churches – they

keep their rites and languages.

Intimacy vs. Reverence Trent: You SHOULD receive at

Mass (but people didn’t)

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Intimacy vs. Reverence Pope Pius X – Frequent

Communion and children receive at 7. (1910)

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Intimacy vs. Reverence The Dialogue Mass - 1922.

I love you, Jesus!

My Lord and

my God!

Vatican II on the Mass (1964)

Remove duplications Restore some lost ancient

elements* More Scripture Homily BASED on Scripture * Prayer of the Faithful May use the local language Know main Latin parts

Communion from THIS Mass Less restriction on the chalice Concelebration permitted

(Right to say own Mass protected) Gregorian Chant & Organ eminent Other music permitted Rethink church building layout

Vatican II on the Mass (1964)

After Vatican II... 1969 – new Missal - Latin 4 Eucharistic Prayers

I – essentially Pope Gregory’s 7th C text II – rediscovered Hippolytus (c. 250) III – new composition (reflecting II) IV – from the Eastern Liturgy The words are often from the Bible

Full dialogue with the congregation “May face the people.” Communion “standing or kneeling” ♝

Typical Church c. 1934

Typical Church c. 1990

ALTAR: truly central so that the attention of the whole congregation naturally

focuses there

ALTAR: freestanding, to permit walking around it and celebration facing the

people

AMBO: for the proclamation of the readings; the faithful may readily see and hear the

minister

CHAIR: clearly visible. Sign that the celebrant presides over the whole

community.

TABERNACLE: place truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated,

suitable for prayer

TABERNACLE: in the sanctuary OR a chapel suitable for private adoration; not on main

altar.

Second lectern: does not mirror the decoration of the ambo

ALTAR RAILS: Vatican II said nothing. A practical consequence of lay ministers

and standing for communion

First Principle of Vatican II: noble simplicity

SANCTUARY: easily seen, a place,marked off, where ministers exercise their offices

Church in the Round: NY

Church in the Round: Liverpool

Unintended consequences...

Too-much de-emphasis on Holy God?

Tabernacles banished Altar rails often lost Push for communion in the hand

After Vatican II... 1974 – new Missal – English

get the gist across “and also with you” “mea maxima culpa”

1985 – Chalice totally derestricted for Wales (& England)

1985 – Communion in the Hand licensed for Wales (& England)

Communion on the tongue is ALWAYS PERMITTED

Symbol vs. Practical

What does it mean?

What can we manage

to do?

e.g. The Pulpit is reserved for the Word of God and

prayers Sunday Mass – all readings and only readings in the main pulpit

What does it mean?

What can we manage

to do?

e.g. The Pulpit is reserved for the Word of God and

prayers Weekday Mass – the main

pulpit is too remote

What does it mean?

What can we manage

to do?

e.g. The Pulpit is reserved for the Word of God and

prayers Nervous mourner goes to main pulpit for eulogyWhat does

it mean?

What can we manage

to do?

21st Century Church New translation in progress (ICEL/VC)

“and with your spirit” “mea maxima culpa”

2005 Rules stronger on “facing the people” extraordinary ministers shouldn’t purify standing or kneeling for communion? “In England and Wales it is through this action of walking

solemnly in procession that the faithful make their sign of reverence in preparation for receiving Communion.”

Presentation © Revd Dr Gareth Leyshon 2009 except for photographs included as fair use for educational purposes. It may be freely used as a Catholic educational tool.

www.drgareth.info