Liturgical theology

The preface is like the overture of the Eucharistic Prayer. Pre-factum etymology means “before the act,” and refers to the great works of the Eucharistic Prayer, center of the celebration of the Holy Mass. The word “Eucharist” means, “act of thanksgiving”, and this act of thanksgiving is clearly expressed in a special way in the preface. In Him, the priest, in the holy name of the people, glorifies God the Father and gives him thanks for the work of salvation or for one of these aspects in particular. There are a great variety of prefaces. They enclose the reasons for glorifying God, according the solemnity or feast that is celebrated or according to the liturgical time in which we find ourselves. This is the one for the First Sunday of Lent •

Preface of First Sunday of Lent

V. The Lord be with you.  

R. And with your spirit.

V. Lift up your hearts.  

R. We lift them up to the Lord.

V. Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.  

R. It is right and just.

It is truly right and just,

our duty and our salvation,

always and everywhere to give you thanks,

Lord, holy Father,

almighty and eternal God,

through Christ our Lord.

By abstaining forty long days from earthly food,

he consecrated through his fast

the pattern of our Lenten observance and,

by overturning all the snares of the ancient serpent,

taught us to cast out the leaven of malice,

so that, celebrating worthily the Paschal Mystery,

we might pass over at last to the eternal paschal feast.

And so, with the company of Angels and Saints,

we sing the hymn of your praise,

as without end we acclaim:

Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts.

Heaven and earth are full of your glory.

Hosanna in the highest.

Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord.

Hosanna in the highest •