Prayers after Communion

20 Prayers after Communion

The Church gives thanks before sharing in the consecrated bread and wine. Indeed it is by giving thanks that the Church consecrates. So in a sense there is not much more to be said once Holy Communion has been shared, and it seems as if, in the early centuries, there were no further prayers. But as the liturgy became more formalized, prayers after Communion emerged, partly to recapitulate on the theme of the celebration, partly to express thanks for the gifts received and partly to pray that the sacramental grace received would make a difference in life beyond the liturgy…