The Anglican Way: A Guidebook

by Thomas McKenzie

In the midst of the prayer, the celebrant will come to the “Words of Institution.” These are the specific words that Jesus said while holding the bread and wine during the Last Supper. By long tradition in the Western church, unless these words are used, the congregation is not receiving a valid sacrament. Anglican churches tend to use the words given by St. Paul in 1 Corinthians 11:23-25: On the night he was handed over to suffering and death, our Lord Jesus Christ took bread; and when he had given thanks to you, he broke it, and gave it to his disciples, and said, “Take, eat: This is my Body, which is given for you. Do this for the remembrance of me.” After supper he took the cup of wine; and when he had given thanks, he gave it to them, and said, “Drink this, all of you: This is my Blood of the new Covenant, which is shed for you and for many for the forgiveness of sins. Whenever you drink it, do this for the remembrance of me.” (Book of Common Prayer, 1979, 362-363) After these words, the prayer reminds us that death was not the end for Jesus. If it had been, there would have been no reason to keep on remembering his sacrifice. Jesus’ defeat was transformed into victory by his bodily resurrection and his following ascension, along with his promise to return. Therefore, the people can proclaim the great mystery of faith: “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again!” In the modern era, Anglicans have returned to the prayers of the ancient church by in...