THE FORMAL STRUCTURE OF THE EUCHARISTIC PRAYER

In this article the author describes the origin and meaning of the structural elements of the Eucharistic prayer. The inspiration for taking up the subject was provided by the research on the development of Eucharistic prayers conducted by Albert Gerhards, who took as his starting point the formal structure of the Eucharistic prayer. In the Eucharistic prayer, through a thanksgiving present especially in the preface, the lay faithful, joined with the heavenly powers, present to the heavenly Father in the Holy Spirit - the immaculate host and themselves. Thus fulfilling the command of Jesus Himself, the lay faithful commemorate what Jesus achieved through His most holy passion, His glorious resurrection and ascension. In his conclusion, the author touches on the question of the reception of the Eucharistic prayer in its current form in today's Church.