From the ancient document entitled
"The Teaching of the Twelve Apostles" Nn. 9, 1-10,6; 14, 1-3: Funk 2, 19-22.26
The Eucharist
Celebrate the Eucharist as follows:
Say over the cup: "We give you thanks, Father, for the holy vine of David,
your servant, which you made known to us through Jesus your servant. To you
be glory for ever."
Over the broken bread say: "We give
you thanks, Father for the life and the knowledge which you have revealed to
us through Jesus your servant. To you be glory for ever. As this broken
bread scattered on the mountains was gathered and became one, so too, may
your Church be gathered together from the ends of the earth into your
kingdom. For glory and power are yours through Jesus for ever."
Do not let anyone eat or drink of your
Eucharist except those who have been baptized in the name of the Lord. For
the statement of the Lord applies here also: Do not give to dogs what is
holy. When you finish the meal, offer thanks
in this manner: "We thank you, Holy Father, for your name which you
enshrined in our hearts. We thank you for the knowledge and faith and
immortality which you revealed to us through your servant Jesus. To
you be glory for ever. Almighty Ruler, you created all things for the sake
of your name; you gave men food and drink to enjoy so that they might give
you thanks. Now you have favored us through Jesus your servant with
spiritual food and drink as well as with eternal life. Above all we thank
you because you are mighty. To you be glory for ever.
"Remember, Lord, your Church and
deliver her from all evil. Perfect her in your love; and, once she has been
sanctified, gather her together from the four winds into the kingdom which
you have prepared for her. For power and glory are yours for ever.
"May grace come and this world pass
away! Hosanna to the God of David. If anyone is holy, let him come. If
anyone is not, let him repent. Maranatha. Amen."
On the Lord's day, when you have been
gathered together, break bread and celebrate the Eucharist. But first
confess your sins so that your offering may be pure. If anyone has a quarrel
with his neighbor, that person should not join you until he has been
reconciled. Your sacrifice must not be defiled. In this regard, the Lord has
said: In every place and time offer me a pure sacrifice. I am a great king,
says the Lord, and my name is great among the nations. Source: The Liturgy of the Hours - Office
of Readings
Footnote: The Eucharistic meal - partaking of the "Body and
Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ" - was shared by the members of the
Church Christ established from its earliest days. It continues throughout
the centuries and to this day in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass celebrated around the world daily by
the Catholic Church. This is confirmed through the instructions
documented in Sacred Scripture by St. Paul in his first letter to the
Corinthians (1 Cor 10:16-17):
"The cup of blessing that we bless, is it not
the sharing of the blood of Christ? And the bread that we break, is it not
the partaking of the body of the Lord? Because the bread is one, we though
many, are one body, all of us who partake of the one bread."