The AMEN
“All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’”
— Deuteronomy 27:15-26
July 24, 2025
“Amen”
In our Sunday Mass, the liturgy is a communal endeavor. With lay persons as lectors and those serving as acolytes or subdeacons, the liturgy becomes complete with the responses of The People. The simplest and most profound communal response of the people is “Amen.”
In the book of Deuteronomy, the fifth book of the Bible and the final of the five books in the Pentateuch, repeats the line: “All the people shall say, ‘Amen!’” [Deut. 27:15-26] The context is in the affirmation of curses upon those who do not follow the commands of God. How much more then should we exclaim “Amen!” when we pray for blessings, when we request God’s intercession in our lives, and when we ask God to intercede for others’ benefit!
“Amen” indicates affirmation of our prayer. When the priest offers prayers, the conclusion to the prayers is “Amen.” While the prayer is offered by the one called to speak to God on behalf of the people, The People are the ones who continually affirm the prayers of the parish. The priest might request something of God, but it is The People, together, who exclaim “Let it be so!” in the powerful response with the singular word: “Amen!”
Our Eucharistic Prayer each Mass begins with the Salutation: “The Lord be with you.” The people in response, say: “And also with you.” We continue with the Sursum Corda (Latin for “Lift up your hearts.”) There is a Preface that is chosen and appointed based on the season, then we say or sing the Sanctus (Latin for “Holy, Holy, Holy”). The Canon of the Mass is the portion that follows with an introduction about God’s relationship with humanity, the Words of Institution (“This is my body.”), and the epiclesis where we pray for the Holy Spirit to sanctify the gifts. The Eucharistic Prayer concludes with the GREAT AMEN.
“All this we ask through your Son Jesus Christ: By Him, and with Him, and in Him, in the unity of the Holy Spirit all honor and glory is yours, Almighty Father, now and for ever.”
The People respond: “AMEN.”
Though the priest says this prayer, it involves everyone when it is said “we ask…” Participation in the Mass by the people is affirmed in the response of “AMEN.” Our Book of Common Prayer even uses full uppercase for the Great ‘AMEN’ found at the conclusion of the Eucharistic Prayer.
The Eucharistic Prayer is a prayer for the Real Presence of Christ. The People participate in the request for Christ to be present in their exclamatory “AMEN.”
Full participation of the community in our Mass unites us. We fully join in prayers. We must not overlook the simplicity of even the single word responses of The People. The “Amen” is powerful, say it from your heart. The Great ‘Amen’ is notably more significant as we hold expectant, joyful, faith-filled hearts when we affirm the presence of Christ in the Sacrament of the Eucharist.
With Grace and Peace,
Fr. Michael