What happens during the eucharistic prayer in a Roman Catholic Mass?

During the eucharistic prayer, also known as the canon of the mass, the Roman Catholic Church performs the central act of the liturgy of the Eucharist. This prayer serves as the high point of the mass, during which the holiness of God is honored and God’s servants are acknowledged.1

Key elements of the eucharistic prayer include:

• Epiclesis: A special invocation of the Holy Spirit is offered, asking that the bread and wine be transformed into the body and blood of Christ. In modern Roman Catholic practice, this is placed before the words of institution.2
• Recalling the Last Supper: The priest recalls the Last Supper and pronounces the words of institution, which are the words used by Jesus himself.12
• Consecration and Transubstantiation: Through the prayer, the bread and wine are consecrated. The church teaches the doctrine of transubstantiation, believing that the elements become the real presence of Christ’s body and blood in substance.1
• Doxology: The prayer concludes as the priest elevates the host and chalice, reciting or singing a prayer of glory and honor to the Father, to which the congregation responds with "Amen".1