Concept in Definition ABC

The word epiclesis comes from the Greek epiklesis, which means invocation. Originally this word was used to request or invoke the intervention of the muses in poetic creation. Christianity adapted this concept to the liturgical act of the Eucharist.

It refers to the part of the Mass in which the priest invokes the Holy Spirit to intercede for all men.

The meaning of the epiclesis in the liturgy

Since the origins of Christianity, the mass or Eucharist is the solemn act from which God summons his faithful through a priest. At the same time, during the Eucharist the faithful offer their prayers and sacrifices.

The presence of the priest and the faithful is a way of invoking Christ, who will make himself present through the symbols of bread and wine, that is, the body and the blood of Christ.

During mass the priest invokes the Holy Spirit. In other words, God is asked to send his spirit so that in this way the bread and wine are consecrated and sanctified. This invocation or epiclesis takes place in each and every Mass. In this sense, the priest as a minister or servant of the word of God asks God to send the presence of the Holy Spirit.

Keep in mind that the term epiclesis has two parts: "epi" which means above, or on, and the verb "Kaleo", which means to call. This implies that the moment the priest places his hands above the bread and wine he is invoking the Holy Spirit to bless and sanctify these gifts.

As a consequence of the blessing of bread and wine by the intervention of the Holy Spirit, at the time of receive the eucharist in the act of communion the bodies of the faithful cease to be corruptible, since they have been nourished by something that will give them eternal life. Thus, the epiclesis is the act that allows the faithful to participate in the resurrection of Christ.

After the epiclesis comes the anamnesis

After the consecration of the bread and wine comes the anamnesis. For Christians this term refers to the words spoken by Christ during the Last Supper ("do this in memory mine "). With the repetition and the I remember From these words Christians express their faith during Mass.

Like the word epiclesis, anamnesis comes from the Greek and literally means to bring to the present or to remember. In the Christian liturgy, anamnesis is a way of bringing the words of Christ in the past to the present moment.

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