Celebration of a Family Seder Meal

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[Salvation]

Celebration of a Family

Seder Meal

 

Enable the family to experience the relationship between our Jewish and Christian ritual heritage by celebrating a Family Passover meal. Passover usually coincides with Holy Week, which would be a good time to have a family Passover. You may also wish to invite another family to celebrate with you.

 

Sometime during Lent, gather the family to hear the story of the Israelites' exile, slavery, and liberation, with an explanation of the celebration of Passover as a thanksgiving feast celebrated annually by the Jewish people in honor of their freedom. (The Passover story is found in the Book of Exodus, Chapter 12.) Both Passover for Jewish people and Easter for Christians recognize that all things come from God: light, bread, wine, freedom -- all good things. The Jewish prayers are prayed in a spirit of thanksgiving and blessing, just as the Eucharistic Prayers are. The Exodus celebrates the chosen people's freedom from oppression. Each Jewish person is to become aware of this at each Passover. For the Christian, the Paschal season celebrates redemption from the effects of sin by Christ's passion and resurrection, and God's gift of grace, especially through Holy Communion. Both are rooted in history and Scripture to show God's fulfillment of God's plan of salvation.

 

The Passover Foods: The Menu

 

Roast Lamb -- to symbolize the sacrificial lamb offered by the Israelites and eaten on the eve of their departure from Egypt. In the Christian tradition, the Lamb of God is a symbol of Jesus Christ.

 

Matzos -- to symbolize the unleavened bread the Jews ate when they were freed from Egypt. Available at the market.

 

Bitter Herbs -- to symbolize the bitterness of slavery and oppression. Use horseradish or spring radishes.

 

Salt Water -- A dip for the greens and bitter herbs.

Greens -- As a token of gratitude to God for the products of the earth. Use parsley and watercress or endive.

 

Haroset -- to symbolize the mortar which the Hebrew slaves used in their servitude. A mixture of chopped apples, chopped nuts, cinnamon and wine (this may be prepared like a fruit salad or chopped in a blender).

 

Wine -- to symbolize the blood marking the doorposts of the Jews so that the avenging angel would pass over them. In Christian tradition, we commemorate the blood of Christ shed in his passion. Use preferably a red wine and/or grape juice.

 

The Service

 

Leader

Today we remember that Jesus and his friends celebrated a Jewish Passover, a Seder, a solemn meal carried out according to ancient Jewish ritual. Let us pretend we are in the upper room of a house. We are celebrating the passover of God's people from slavery to freedom.

 

Lighting the Festival Lights

 

Leader (Father)

We, (name of family), light candles to remind ourselves that Jesus, the light of the world, is coming.

 

Leader (Mother)  (Lights the candles) 

Blessed are you, God, Creator of the Universe, who has commanded us to light the festival lights. Blessed are you, God, for you have made us alive and keep us alive through all seasons. During this spring season may our home be filled with peace and joy.

 

Leader

Food is always blessed before it is eaten. A long time ago, the Jews blessed their bread and wine at their Jewish Passover. Just as they did, we bless ours tonight (today).

 

All    Thank you, God, for choosing us to be your people.

            We celebrate all you have given us.

 

The Elijah Cup

 

Leader  (Opens the front door) 

There is an extra cup on this table. We would give this cup of honor to any stranger who should come and ask to keep the Passover with us. We call this cup the Elijah cup because Elijah is known to have helped the poor. We have opened the door to welcome anyone who may stand outside. We pray for the hungry and the poor and wish they could celebrate this Passover meal with us.

Leader  (Pouring and drinking the wine)

Four times during the Seder meal, wine is passed. We will pass the wine only twice. Usually the wine is poured from one bowl to show oneness.

 

The leader pours wine or grape juice into each person's cup.

 

At the Last Supper, Christ poured wine for his friends and said, “Take this and drink it. I tell you that I will not drink of the fruit of the vine again until I drink it with you in my Father's Kingdom.”

 

All     Blessed are you, God, for making this fruit of the vine.

 

The participants drink their wine.

 

Washing of Hands

 

Leader

We must clean not only our hands but also our hearts and minds. The presider washes his hands just as Christ washed the feet of his friends at the Last Supper. This gesture shows how much he loves us; it calls us to serve others.

 

The leader washes his or her hands and then washes the hands of all the participants as a sign of willingness to serve.

 

All     Thank you, God, Creator of the Universe, for showing us how to

            serve others.

 

Eating of Greens

 

Leader

We eat these greens as a symbol that nature comes to life in spring-time. Following the Jewish custom, we dip the greens in salt and pray:

 

All    Blessed are you, God, Creator of the Universe, creator of the fruit

            of the earth.

 

Participants dip the greens in salt and eat them.

[Salvation]

For your information and celebration at home. Some of the symbols are recognizable in the celebration of the Mass.

Perhaps your parish has a Seder Meal. Please share what you do.

[Salvation]

We hahd our Seder Meal last weekend.

I was amazed at the number of

"Blessed are you, God," prayers.

Amazingly familiar to prayers in the Mass.

If we prayed like this six times a day (I think that is the custom in Israel.) how would our days change?

[LiteKeeper]

read later

[Uri’el-2012]

I'll save this for Passover Which is next month April 25, 2005

B'shem Y'shua
chuck

[te lucis]

amazed at the number of "Blessed are you, God," prayers. Amazingly familiar to prayers in the Mass

In the N.O. mass, yes. In the Traditional Latin Mass, we have what's called the Offertory, and the prayers are indeed very beautiful. They were all done away with and replaced, however, by the "bringing up of the gifts" (or whatever you call it), and what amounts to a Jewish grace before meals. The last valid sacrifice under the Old Law was offered by Jesus Christ on Holy Thursday.

Call your local synogogues and see if any of them are getting together & playing Mass as a sign of their unity with their Christian bretheren.

[murphE]

†   ORDINARY OF THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS  † Taken from the pre-Vatican II Marian Missal and St. Andrew Daily MIssal

MASS OF THE FAITHFUL

FIRST PART:  THE OFFERTORY
ACTS OF SELF-SURRENDER AND OBLATION

From the OFFERING to the SANCTUS

"While they were at supper, Jesus took bread." Matthew 26: 26

The Priest begins the third part of the Holy Mass and the first part of the Mass of the Faithful in offering up to God on our behalf to God together with the substance of the Sacrifice - bread and wine. He turns to the Faithful and the Altar Server and says:

V. Dominus vobiscum. R.Et cum spiritu tuo.		V. The Lord be with you. R. And with thy spirit.

The Priest then says the OFFERTORY PRAYER from the THE PROPER OF THE HOLY MASS
OFFERTORY PRAYER
Offering of the Bread and Wine
The Priest then removes the Pall from the Burse, placing the Burse to the left between the Center Card and the Sacramentary. He takes the Chalice veil, folding it in three folds and places it to his right, then spreads the Corporal out on the Altar placing the Chalice on it and the Pall on the Chalice with the unconsecrated host (hosts) on the Paten with the Purificator to the right of the unfolded Corporal. He then takes the Paten with the host, and offers it up, saying:

Suscipe, sancte Pater, omnipotens aeterne Deus, hanc immaculatam hostiam, quam ego indignus famulus tuus offero tibi Deo meo vivo et vero, pro innumerabilibus peccatis, et offensionibus, et negligentiis meis, et pro omnibus circumstantibus, sed et pro omnibus fidelibus christianis vivis atque defunctis: ut mihi, et illis proficiat ad salutem in vitam aeternam. Amen.		Accept, O holy Father, almighty and eternal God, this unspotted host, which I, Thy unworthy servant, offer unto Thee, my living and true God, for my innumerable sins, offenses, and negligences, and for all here present: as also for all faithful Christians, both living and dead, that it may avail both me and them for salvation unto life everlasting. Amen.

In Solemn High Masses, the Deacon fills the Chalice with wine and water.

Making the Sign of the Cross with the Paten, the Priest places the host upon the Corporal. He then moves to the right where the Altar Server is ready with the cruets containing the water and wine. The Priest pours the wine into the Chalice first, then blesses the water before it is mixed in with the wine, to signify the water that flowed from Christ's side when the Roman Centurion pierced His heart with a lance. Then the Priest reads the Prayer DEUS QUI from the Mass Card on the Epistle Side:

Deus, † qui humanae substantiae dignitatem mirabiliter condidisti, et mirabilius reformasti: da nobis per huius aquae et vini mysterium, eius divinitatis esse consortes, qui humanitatis nostrae fieri dignatus est particeps, Iesus Christus Filius tuus Dominus noster: Qui tecum vivit et regnat in unitate Spiritus Sancti Deus: per omnia saecula saeculorum. Amen.		O God, † Who, in creating human nature, didst wonderfully dignify it, and still more wonderfully restore it, grant that, by the Mystery of this water and wine, we may be made partakers of His divine nature, who vouchsafed to be made partaker of our human nature, even Jesus Christ our Lord, Thy Son, Who with Thee, liveth and reigneth in the unity of the Holy Ghost, God: world without end. Amen.

The Priest returns to the center of the Altar where he takes the Chalice and offers it up to the Father on our behalf, saying the OFFERIMUS from the Center Mass Card:

Offerimus tibi, Domine, calicem salutaris, tuam deprecantes clementiam: ut in conspectu divinae maiestatis tuae, pro nostra et totius mundi salute cum odore suavitatis ascendat. Amen.		We offer unto Thee, O Lord, the chalice of salvation, beseeching Thy clemency, that it may ascend before Thy divine Majesty, as a sweet savor, for our salvation, and for that of the whole world. Amen.

The Priest makes the Sign † of the Cross with the Chalice, placing it upon the Corporal, and covers it with the Pall. Then, with his hands joined upon the Altar, and slightly bowing slightly, he prays the IN SPIRITU HUMILITATIS from the Center Mass Card:

In spiritu humilitatis, et in animo contrito suscipiamur a Te, Domine: et sic fiat sacrificium nostrum in conspectu tuo hodie, ut placeat tibi, Domine Deus.		Accept us, O Lord, in the spirit of humility and contrition of heart, and grant that the sacrifice which we offer this day in Thy sight may be pleasing to Thee, O Lord God.

Raising his eyes toward Heaven, the Priest extends and then joins his hands, making the Sign † of the Cross over the host and the Chalice, while he invokes the Holy Ghost saying the VENI, SANCTIFICATOR from the Center Mass Card:

Veni, Sanctificator, omnipotens, aeterne Deus: et bene † dic hoc sacrificium tuo sancto nomini praeparatum.		Come, O almighty and eternal God, the Sanctifier, and bless † this Sacrifice, prepared for the glory of Thy holy Name.

At Solemn High Mass, the offerings of bread and wine are incensed at the
INCENSING OF THE OFFERINGS AT HIGH MASS when the Priest blesses the incense and prays:

Per intercessionem beati Michaelis Archangeli, stantis a dextris altaris incensi, et omnium electorum suorum, incensum istud dignetur Dominus bene † dicere, et in odorem suavitatis accipere. Per Christum Dominum nostrum.		May the Lord, by the intercession of blessed Michael the Archangel, who standeth at the right side of the altar of incense, and of all His Elect, vouchsafe to bless † this incense and receive it as an odor of sweetness: through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

At Solemn High Mass, the Priest then receives the Thurible from the Deacon
and incenses the bread and the wine while saying:

Incensum istud a te benedictum ascendat ad te, Domine: et descendat super nos misericordia tua. He then incenses the Altar Dirigatur, Domine, oratio mea, sicut incensum in conpectu tuo: elevatio manuum mearum sacrificium vespertinum. Pone, Domine, custodiam ori meo, et ostium circumstantiae labiis meis. Ut non declinet cor meum in verba malitiae, ad excusandas, excusationes in peccata. He then hands the Censer to the Deacon, saying: Accendat in nobis Dominus ignem sui amoris, et flammam aeternae caritatis. Amen.		May this incense, which Thou hast blessed, O Lord, ascend to Thee, and may Thy mercy descend upon us. He then incenses the Altar Let my prayer, O Lord, be directed as incense in Thy sight: the lifting up of my hands as an evening sacrifice. Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth, and a door round about my lips. May my heart not incline to evil words, to make excuses for sins. He then hands the Censer to the Deacon, saying: May the Lord enkindle within us the fire of His love, and the flame of everlasting charity. Amen.

At Solemn High Mass, the Priest then is incesnsed by the Deacon, and after him the Sub-Deacon who takes the Censer and incenses the Deacon. Then the Sub-Deacon incenses the rest in turn in the Sanctuary before turning to the Faithful. All Stand as he incenses the Faithful. This incensing at High Mass represents the oblation which we offer up to be accepted by God - ourselves. "The saintly soul makes as it were, a thurible of his heart, which exhales its perfume before God," says Pope Saint Gregory the Great. In this way we participate in the Sacrifice, which will extend to us the effects of Divine Mercy, which are also represented by the incense. At Solemn Requiem Masses, the Priest alone is incensed, immediately after the incensing of the Altar.

The Lavabo - The Washing of the Hands
The Priest, having received the offerings and having incensed the Altar (at Solemn High Masses), he washes
his fingers. Out of respect for the Body of Jesus, which he is about to touch after the Consecration.
Thus he washes the tips of his fingers as the Altar Server pours water over them and then takes the
linen towel to wipe them dry, praying Psalm 25: 6-12 on the Altar Card on the Epistle side:

Lavabo inter innocentes manus meas: et circumdabo altare tuum, Domine. Ut audiam vocem laudis: et enarrem universa mirabilia tua. Domine, dilexi decorem domus tuae: et locum habitationis gloriae tuae. Ne perdas cum impiis, Deus, animam meam: et cum viris sanguinum citam meam. In quorum manibus iniquitates sunt: dextera eorum repleta est muneribus. Ego autem in innocentia mea ingressus sum: redime me, et miserere mei. Pes meus stetit in directo: in ecclesiis benedicam te, Domine. Gloria Patri... NOTE: The Gloria Patri is omitted in Requiem Masses and in Passiontide.		I will wash my hands among the innocent: and I will compass Thine altar, O Lord. That I may hear the voice of praise: and tell of all Thy wonderous works. I have loved, O Lord, the beauty of Thy house and the place where Thy glory dwelleth. Take not away my soul, O God, with the wicked: nor my life with blood-thirsty men. In whose hands are iniquities, their right hand is filled with gifts. But I have walked in my innocence: redeem me, and have mercy on me. My foot hath stood in the direct way, in the churches I will bless Thee, O Lord. Glory be to the Father... NOTE: The Gloria Patri is omitted in Requiem Masses and in Passiontide.

The Prayer to the Most Holy Trinity
The Priest bows down his head at the center of the Altar and with hands joined prays the PRAYER TO THE MOST HOLY TRINITY from the Center Mass Card:

Suscipe sancta Trinitas, hanc oblationem, quam tibi offerimus ob memoriam passionis, resurrectionis, et ascensionis Iesu Christi Domini nostri: et in honorem beatae Mariae semper Virginis et beati Ioannes Baptistae, et sanctorum Apostolorum Petri et Pauli, et istorum, et omnium Sanctorum: ut illis proficiat ad honorem, nobis autem ad salutem: et illi pro nobis intercedere dignentur in Coelis, quorum memoriam agimus in terris. Per eumdem Christum Dominum nostrum. Amen.		Receive, O holy Trinity, this oblation which we make to Thee, in memory of the Passion, Resurrection and Ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ, and in honor of Blessed Mary, ever Virgin, blessed John the Baptist, the holy Apostles Peter and Paul, and of all the Saints, that it may avail unto their honor and our salvation, and may they vouchsafe to intercede for us in Heaven, whose memory we celebrate on earth. Through the same Christ our Lord. Amen.

ORATE FRATRES
The Priest kisses the Altar and turning towards the Faithful, says audibly:

Orate fratres, ut meum ac vestrum sacrificium acceptabile fiat apud Deum Patrem omnipotentem. The Altar Server responds: Suscipiat Dominus sacrificium de manibus tuis ad laudem, et gloriam nominis sui, ad utilitatem quoque nostram, totiusque Ecclesiae suae sanctae.		Brethren, pray that my Sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God the Father Almighty. The Altar Server responds: May the Lord receive the Sacrifice from thy hands, to the praise and glory of His Name, to our benefit and that of all His holy Church.

THE SECRET
The priest completes the Prayer with "Amen." and reads the SECRET silently from the PROPER OF THE HOLY MASS. The offerings the Faithful formerly made at the Offertory were so great, that the Priest would select a few for the purpose of sacrifice and recite over them the prayer known as 'ORATIO SUPER SECRETA' - 'Prayer over the Oblations set apart.' The word 'Secreta' alone is now taken for 'Secret Prayers.' In order that all present may signify their concurrence in the first part of the Mass of the Faithful, viz. the Offertory, the Priest says the concluding words aloud: "Per omnia saecula saeculorum."    "World without end." To which the Altar Server responds: AMEN.
THE PREFACE

V.Dominus vobiscum. R.Et cum spiritu tuo. V.Sursum Corda. R.Habemus ad Dominum. V.Gratias agamus Domino Deo nostro. R.Dignum et justum est.		V.The Lord be with you. R.And with thy spirit. V.Lift up your hearts. V.We have them lifted up to the Lord. V.Let us give thanks to the Lord our God. V.It is meet and just.

The Priest then disjoins his hands and keeps them thus until the end of the PREFACE which can be accessed for the PROPER OF THE HOLY MASS. After praying the PREFACE, the Priest joins his hands again, bowing says the SANCTUS Prayer as the Altar Server rings the bells three times to alert the Faithful to kneel for the Canon of the Mass and the Consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. The SANCTUS is the triumphal hymn of the Angels, the "Trisagion" - Thrice Holy - addressed to the three Divine Persons. It is composed of words taken from Isaias 6: 3, Psalm 117, and from the acclamations which greeted Jesus on the occasion of His solemn entry into Jerusalem in Matthew 21.

SANCTUS, SANCTUS, SANCTUS Dominus Deus Sabaoth. Pleni sunt coeli et terra gloria tua. Hosanna in excelsis. † Benedictus qui venit in nomine Domini. Hosanna in excelsis.

[Tantumergo]

"The last valid sacrifice under the Old Law was offered by Jesus Christ on Holy Thursday."

Correct - this trend of "playing at Passover" betrays a serious ignorance of the Catholic faith and liturgy.

From the Exsultet: "THIS IS OUR PASSOVER FEAST...."

[Seeing More Clearly Now]

"I was amazed at the number of

"Blessed are you, God," prayers.

Amazingly familiar to prayers in the Mass.

If we prayed like this six times a day (I think that is the custom in Israel.) how would our days change?"


Judaism has 3 prayer services a day.
They energize and ground the one praying to God and values. With God's help, Jewish productivity does not suffer ;) Don't observant Catholics attend mass more than one time a day?

Yes, "Blessed are you, Lord, our God, king of the universe, who xxxx " are the beginning words of all formal Jewish blessings - there are separate blessings over a wide variety of things for which Jews recognize their gratitude and connection to God or over which they see the hand of God - from the blessing over bread before commencing a meal, to blessing on foods eaten separately during the way, to blessing on wine used to usher in the Sabbath, even a blessing said when one sees the wonder of a rainbow, the first fruits of the harvest season, and blessings that recognize God's wisdom and his role in giving wisdom, comfort, his ability to save individuals from persecution, to rescue the weak, free captives, heal the sick, keep one's lips from speaking ill of anyone, to God as creator of the world, etc. There are scores and scores of such blessings in Jewish prayer services and others are recited during the course of the day as they become relevant. Specific blessings begin or end various paragraphs of the prayer service.

It's amazing that you are amazed that Christians kept the Jewish words. They are core to the shared values and traditions.

[Salvation]

BTTT on Holy Thursday.