Stations of the Eucharist
by Gary D. Penkala
This service can be part of your parish celebration of the Year of the Eucharist (October 2004 through October 2005).
It is patterned loosely on Stations of the Cross in that the procession moves gradually through the church building.
However, rather than circling the church along the outside walls (where the stations are generally mounted), this procession slowly wends its way down the center aisle, culminating at the main altar with Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament.
- Participants:
- Celebrant: deacon, priest or bishop
- Four acolytes
- Lector(s)
- Congregation
- Musicians: choir(s) and/or soloist(s)
- Organist
There are seven stations, each linked to a Scripture passage with a Eucharistic theme.
The service begins with the celebrant (vested in cassock/surplice & stole or alb & stole) and acolytes in the main aisle near the church doors.
The lector(s) may also be with them, if acoutics and voices are such as to be heard from the center-aisle stations; otherwise they may take places near the ambo in the sanctuary.
Six small tables are placed equidistant down the center aisle; the tables are placed within the aisle but against the pews, alternately against one side then the other.
On the tables are placed these six items, starting with #1 at the back of the church and #6 near the sanctuary.
- Cope (white or gold or other precious color)
- Processional cross (placed in a stand if there is one)
- Processional candle #1 (lit)
- Processional candle #2 (lit)
- Thurible (censer) & boat (containing incense)
- Monstrance (empty)
At the first station, the celebrant dons the cope.
At subsequent stations the full procession forms as acolytes gather the cross, candles and thurible.
Suitable chairs, or places in the pews, may be arranged near each station for the celebrant, (lectors) and unoccupied acolytes during the readings (other than Gospels) and the musical selections.
After the sixth station, the empty monstrance is carried to the altar to prepare for Exposition and Benediction.
Adaptations are certainly expected and encouraged to accommodate this service to your own church architecture and musical forces.
Only station #7 should remain unchanged (except perhaps for the reading selection and the music), since it is the official rite of Exposition and Benediction.
Organ Prelude
"Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele" (J.S. Bach) *
Opening Hymn
"Shepherd of Souls, Refresh and Bless" [tune- Saint Agnes] *
This is sung as the celebrant and acolytes (and lectors) go to the back of the church.
Station 1: Melchisedek the Priest
Proceed to the table with the cope.
- Versicle [Psalm 110:4]
- Celebrant: The Lord has sworn an oath and he will not retract;
- People: You are a priest for ever, in the line of Melchisedek.
- Reading: Genesis 14:18-20
- Choral Music: "Ave verum corpus" (W.A. Mozart) *
- Prayer [Collect for Votive Mass of the Holy Eucharist – B]
Father, for your glory and our salvation you appointed Jesus Christ eternal High Priest.
May the people he gained for you by his blood come to share in the power of his cross and resurrection by celebrating his memorial in the eucharist, for he lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Verse: "Pange lingua gloriosi" [verse 1] *
Pange lingua gloriosi Corporis mysterium,
Sanguinisque pretiosi, Quem in mundi pretium
Fructus ventris generosi Rex effudit gentium.
This is sung while moving to the next station.
Station 2: Manna in the Desert
Proceed to the table with the processional cross.
- Versicle [Psalm 78:23-24]
- Celebrant: The Lord opened the gates of heaven,
- People: And rained down manna for them to eat.
- Reading: Exodus 16:4, 12-15
- Vocal Music: "Panis angelicus" (César Franck) *
- Prayer [Prayer after Communion II for Votive Mass of the Precious Blood]
Lord, you renew us with food and drink from heaven.
Defend us from those who threaten us with evil, for you have set us free and saved us from death by the blood of your Son Jesus Christ, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Verse: "Pange lingua gloriosi" [verse 2] *
Nobis datus, nobis natus, Ex intacta Virgine,
Et in mundi conversatus, Sparso verbi semine,
Sui moras incolatus, Miro clausit ordine.
This is sung while moving to the next station.
Station 3: A Perpetual Eucharist
Proceed to the table with processional candle #1.
- Versicle [I Corinthians 11:24-25]
- Celebrant: This body will be given for you, says the Lord.
- People: When we eat this, we do so in remembrance of him.
- Reading: I Corinthians 11:23-26
- Organ Music: "Soul, Adorn Thyself with Gladness" (Paul Manz) [Improvisations on Classic Chorales – Morning Star Music Publ 10-843] *
- Prayer [Collect II for Corpus Christi]
Lord Jesus Christ, we worship you living among us in the sacrament of your body and blood.
May we offer to our Father in heaven a solemn pledge of undivided love.
May we offer to our brothers and sisters a life poured out in loving service of that kingdom where you live with the Father and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
- Verse: "Pange lingua gloriosi" [verse 3] *
In supremæ nocte cænæ, Recumbens cum fratribus,
Observata lege plene, Cibis in legalibus,
Cibum turbæ duodenæ, Sedat suis manibus.
This is sung while moving to the next station.
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