Eucharistic Prayer IV sweeps from creation to the fall to redemption in a single arc — a summary of salvation history unlike any other prayer at Mass. Dr. Brant Pitre traces where its language comes from.
Eucharistic Prayer IV: The Salvation-History Prayer and Its Johannine Roots
Dr. Pitre distinguishes Eucharistic Prayer IV by three marks: it is Johannine (steeped in the language of John's Gospel), deeply Trinitarian, and structured as a fuller summary of salvation history — which is why the Church allows it on Sundays in Ordinary Time (GIRM 365). He shows how "you so loved the world, Father most holy" echoes John 3:16, how the sending of the Holy Spirit reflects John 14:26, and how "having loved his own who were in the world, he loved them to the end" comes straight from John 13:1. On the historical side, the prayer is based on the fourth-century Alexandrian Eucharistic Prayer of St. Basil, and Dr. Pitre sets the Missal text beside St. Basil's anaphora to show the dependence. Benedict XVI's teaching in Sacramentum Caritatis on the Eucharist as the mystery of Trinitarian love frames the whole. The video maps the prayer's structure and sources and raises its questions, leaving Dr. Pitre's synthesis for the session.
Key passages & sources examined: GIRM 365; Roman Missal, Order of Mass nos. 116-123; John 3:16; John 13:1-2; John 14:26; the Alexandrian Anaphora of St. Basil (4th c.); Benedict XVI, Sacramentum Caritatis nos. 7-8; St. Augustine, On the Trinity
What makes Eucharistic Prayer IV distinctive? It gives a fuller summary of salvation history, is richly Trinitarian, and is filled with the language of John's Gospel. The session unpacks each of these features.
What are the biblical roots of Eucharistic Prayer 4? It draws heavily on John — John 3:16, 13:1, and 14:26 among others. Dr. Pitre traces the Johannine language in the video.
When can Eucharistic Prayer IV be used? Because of its salvation-history sweep, it may be used on Sundays in Ordinary Time (GIRM 365). Watch to see how its structure fits that role.
Want every Sunday and feast explained like this?
Get Dr. Brant Pitre’s complete Mass Readings Explained — a new study for every Sunday and holy day.
This is a subscription where the content is accessed online through your account. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
All of content I have watched so far is excellent. Perfectly paced, at a level for everyone and contributes greatly in my journey to be a better Catholic.
The information presented by Dr.Pitre was informative, but too long for our group. We prefer a more concise 10-15 minute lesson as to truly keep our attention and give time for plenty discussion.
This is a subscription where the content is accessed online through your account. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
All of content I have watched so far is excellent. Perfectly paced, at a level for everyone and contributes greatly in my journey to be a better Catholic.
The information presented by Dr.Pitre was informative, but too long for our group. We prefer a more concise 10-15 minute lesson as to truly keep our attention and give time for plenty discussion.
