Rites A & B Revised: Introduction

from Holy Communion Rites A & B Revised, July 1996

Introduction

The Liturgical Commission has undertaken a fairly conservative revision of Holy Communion Rite A. It has judged that, since so much of the energies of the revisers of the 1960s and 1970s was directed towards the eucharistic rite, it is not surprising that people are, in general, satisfied with the rite and resistant to radical change.

The revision of Rite B is more thorough. Here the Commission has judged that it would be helpful to the Church to have in Rite B a traditional language version of Rite A, with precisely the same structure, and with choices at the same points. However, Rite B Revised is not the only eucharistic provision in traditional language envisaged in the proposals for 2000. The Synod has already agreed provisionally to include the Prayer Book rite of Holy Communion 'as commonly used'.

In making modest changes to Rite A, with consequent ones for Rite B, the Commission wanted

Greater clarity of structure. Legitimate freedom, variety and spontaneity needs to be balanced by clear shape and structure that give both security and momentum to the liturgy.
To simplify the lay out of the service and to reduce rubrics, creating a much 'cleaner' and less cluttered text, but also to bring into the main text appendix material that we know is used and valued.
To make it easier for people to draw on traditional texts in contemporary language services (and to some extent vice versa) in accordance with the 'old and new together' approach that the Synod has already received approvingly.
To give clearer guidance to those leading worship on good liturgical practice through a larger set of notes, but ones that do not interrupt the text of the service.
To clarify the role of the 'president' and what may properly be delegated to other ministers.

The latest ELLC agreed international texts, to which the Synod has previously committed itself, have been used except in relation to the phrase 'and was made man' in the Creed, where the traditional form has been kept. The Commission is aware of some unease with a number of these texts, but believes that, after Synodical debate, the Revision Committee is the proper place for further discussion of the issues.

The texts of the Lord's Prayer have been omitted. The issue of translation(s) is to be brought to the Synod for discussion in principle, rather than as part of a debate on a particular service.

Rite A Revised

In relation to Rite A Revised, the most significant proposals are these:

To print the Prayers of Penitence only at the beginning of the rite, and not after the Prayers of Intercession, though continuing to allow the later option in a preliminary note.
To allow the use of the Kyries with a penitential verse of scripture as a form of Confession on weekdays.
To simplify the procedures between the Peace and the Eucharistic prayer which, as Rite A is often celebrated, have become long, cumbersome and wordy.
To move the Prayer of Humble Access to its 1549 position as a response to the invitation to Communion and immediately before the Distribution.

The texts of the Eucharistic Prayers have not been included, the Commission recognising that there is much work to be done. This work, which must not be rushed, will lead to a set of prayers being brought, in due time, to the House of Bishops and to the Synod.

Rite B Revised

Rite B Revised is almost precisely a traditional language version of Rite A Revised. As such, it adopts the Rite A Revised structure. It permits the same variations.

It includes two eucharistic prayers. The first is the first of the two in Rite B 1980, unchanged except that the words of institution conform to the text made standard by Series 2 (i.e. 'given thanks to thee', 'blood of the new covenant').

The second, though very close to its Series 2 original as reproduced in Rite B 1980, has been marginally revised to bring it into line with the Second Eucharistic Prayer of Rite A 1980. Its penultimate paragraph now reads:

We pray thee to accept this our duty and service,
and as we eat and drink these holy gifts
in the presence of thy divine majesty,
fill us with thy grace and heavenly blessing;
nourish us with the body and blood of thy Son,
that we may grow into his likeness and,
made one by the Spirit,
become a living temple to thy glory.

Congregational Texts

These are intended for both rites. New congregational material in this section, not previously found in Rite A or B or their appendices, includes:

The Beatitudes as an introduction to the Prayers of Penitence
Some new confessions
The BCP rite confession
The Apostles' Creed
The Nicene Creed without the filioque clause
A second Litany of Intercession

A new set of material is provided under the title 'Prayers when the Table has been prepared'. This includes 'Yours, Lord, is the greatness...' and a variant on the prayers used at this point in the rite in the Roman Missal (the Roman text is itself under review, as part of the revision of the Missal). The Commission is not keen to see either of these forms established as invariable prayers at this point in the service. On many occasions, especially when there has been a hymn, to move immediately into the Eucharistic Prayer is best. But the Commission has included a number of texts (some congregational, some entirely presidential) so that, where there are prayers at this point, some other emphases that do not anticipate the Eucharistic Prayer may be explored.

The supplementary ministerial material includes seasonal provision. The Commission has provided for each season and principal holy day an Invitation to Confession, an Introduction to the Peace, a Proper Preface for both rites and a Blessing. The intention is that this seasonal material alone should be attached to the rite. Additional material both for the seasons and also for other festivals and major themes would be included in the 'seasonal book' that will form part of the whole ASB replacement.

The texts have nearly all appeared in ASB, The Promise of His Glory, Patterns for Worship or Enriching the Christian Year, but in several cases have been carefully reworked by the commission. In some instances, the prefaces mark a return to BCP/1928 phraseology.

May 1996
+David Sarum