1. Q3 What is the Meaning of Mass?

2. Where does the term “Mass” come from? “Mass” is an English rendering of the Latin term “missa” In Latin the Mass ends with “Ite missa est.” This translates to “Go, it is sent –the “it” being the Church. From the Latin word “missa” comes the English word “dismiss” So, “Mass” means dismissal The celebration takes its name from the sending forth that occurs at the end of every Mass.

3. So Who’s dismissed????? Because of the familiarity of, the celebration of our Lord’s Supper eventually became simply known as “Mass.” There were two dismissals: 1. The dismissal of the cathechumens (people who were not Catholic yet, but wanted to be) 2. The dismissal of the fully initiated Catholics, the faithful.

4. The Structure of the Mass The Mass can be divided into two parts: The Liturgy of the Word –Introductory Rites Introit (Entrance Chant) Greeting –Penitential Rite Confieteor Kyrie Gloria Collect (Opening Prayer) –Liturgy of the Word First Reading Psalm Second Reading Alleluia Gospel Reading Homily Credo (Profession of Faith) General Intercessions The Liturgy of the Eucharist –Preparation of the altar and gifts (Offertory Chant) Prayer Over the Gifts –The Eucharistic Prayer Introductory Dialogue Preface Sanctus Institution (Consecration) Memorial Acclamation Conclusion –Communion Rite Lord’s Prayer Sign of Peace Fracture (Agnus Dei) Holy Communion (Communion Chant) Prayer After Communion –Concluding Rite Greeting, Blessing and Dismissal [Final hymn]

5. -Jesus calls us to Himself, and through his saving act invites us to a unity with God the Father through the Holy Spirit. The fact that we call the greatest of Christian prayers “the dimissal” points to the essence of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. -Jesus makes communion with God possible. -But following Jesus does not stop with this communion for once…. -He has united us to Himself, He then sends us forth on a mission (a dismissal)

6. -“Go” is one of His final word to His disciples as he ascends into heaven in the Gospel of Matthew. Matthew 28:19 -Hence, the way every Mass ends with “go” is the heart of what we come to Mass for –to be empowered by God and sent by God.

7. Other Names for The Mass The original names for the Mass that were used in the early Church and later include: The Breaking of the Bread, referring to the Last Supper and when Jesus revealed himself at Emmaus and when he multiplied the loaves and fishes. The Lord’s Supper, referring to the Last Supper and when Jesus revealed himself at Emmaus and when he multiplied the loaves and fishes. The Eucharist, referring to another central act that Jesus did before he broke the bread – He gave thanks. Again “Eucharist” means “thanksgiving.” The Offering, referring to what Jesus did when He offered Himself to the Father for our salvation, and what He did at the Last Supper when He offered His body and blood to his apostles under the species of bread and wine. The Holy Sacrifice, referring to the sacrifice of the Lord at Calavry, which the Mass makes present.

8. What does the Catechism of the Catholic Church say about the Mass? CCC 1407

9. One of the key documents governing the way in which the Mass is celebrated is the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. It contains basic directives instructing priests and other ministers in how the Mass is to be celebrated. The previous edition of the GIRM was released in 1975, but in 2000 Pope John Paul II released a new edition, which was slightly modified in 2002. This new edition of the GIRM was substantially the same as the prior one but had many small changes made to improve the quality of liturgical celebrations and clarify matters that previously were ambiguous.

10. It was above all on “the first day of the week,” Sunday the day of Jesus’ resurrection, that Christians met to break bread together… Today we encounter [The celebration of the Eucharist] everywhere in the Church with the same fundamental structure. It remains the center of the Church’s life CCC, 1343

11. Read Luke 22:14-20 Picture Jesus sharing the bread and wine with them as the celebrate their love and friendship Imagine that you are at the table with Jesus and are actually hearing the words

12. What happens at family gatherings?

14. Page 1 Answer the question on page one. “If you went to another planet, what activity would you hate to leave behind?” Mass is so important that Catholics attend either Saturday evening or Sunday even when they are out of town. People died for it. St. John Vianney walked miles to a church where a priest was disguised to celebrate mass on a board for an altar. Why is the Mass so Important to Catholics?

15. At Mass Catholics remember what Jesus did at the Last Supper. Jesus’ words, “Do this in remembrance of me,” have been obeyed without interruption for nearly two thousand years. When Catholics gather at Mass, they know they are there to do what Jesus commanded They believe that in that action Jesus is made present to them.

16. Introductory Rites

17. The purpose of the Introductory Rites of the Mass is “that the faithful coming together take on the form of a community” (General Instruction of the Roman Missal)

18. Introductory Rites The entrance of the priest and minister completes the community –the people of God in whose midst Christ is present. Entrance and Greeting

19. Greeting Question: After the procession, does anyone know how each Mass begins? Answer: The sign of the cross to remind us of Jesus’ ultimate victory over death. Introductory Rites

20. Response is essential to the Liturgy The prayer comes alive throughout the Mass as each person: -Listens-Reflects-Speaks-Sings …with Conviction and Enthusiasm

21. Penitential Rite The celebration of God’s mercy Penitent Mercy Feeling or expressing humble or regretful pain or sorrow for sins or offenses. Compassion or forbearance shown especially to an offender or to one subject to one’s power Introductory Rites

22. Penitential Rite The celebration of God’s mercy takes one of two forms: I confess to almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters that I have sinned through my own fault… In my thoughts and in my words, in what I have done, and in what I have failed to do; And I ask blessed Mary, ever virgin, all the angels and saints, and you my brothers and sisters to pray for me to the Lord our God. May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life Amen Introductory Rites

23. Penitential Rite OR Lord Have Mercy Kyrie eleison Christ Have Mercy Christe eleison Lord Have Mercy Kyrie eleison May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life Amen Introductory Rites

24. Gloria Introductory Rites The Gloria is an ancient hymn of praise The opening lines are from Luke’s nativity account Praise is not for God’s sake, but for ours. Our hearts are enlarged with wonder at what God has done.

25. Why do we go from sitting to standing to kneeling through Mass? We stand as a sign of reverence You stand when meeting Jesus in the Gospel, when receiving the Eucharist, and at other times we are in an important conversation with God. We sit to listen and reflect Bowing for blessing was replaced by kneeling in the Western rite

26. The Liturgy Of The Word Formally the Mass of the Catechumens

28. The First Reading The Responsorial Psalm The Second Reading -Always taken from the Old Testament (except during the Easter season) -The reading tells us how God has acted in the past for God’s Chosen people. -It is usually chosen to relate to the gospel reading. -The psalms were composed as prayers to God. -In the first reading God has spoken to us and with the psalm, we participate in prayerful dialogue with God. -This reading is taken from the writings of St. Paul or one of the other Letters of the New Testament. -It does not always relate to the first reading or the gospel. Its purpose is to offer us a continuing exposure to these important writings.

29. The Gospel Reading -Contains the words of Jesus Himself, and is always singled out with marks of honor. -The Alleluia verse before the gospel (or the acclimation during Lent) is meant to emphasize Jesus’ presence in the word of God.

30. How are the readings chosen? Over a three year period almost all of the New Testament and a varied selection of texts from the Old Testament have been read. A new cycle starts with every Advent: -The gospel reading in year A is generally from Matthew. -Year B is from the Gospel of Mark -Year C is from the Gospel of Luke (The Gospel of John is usually read during Easter and Christmas, and to fill out year B because the Gospel of Mark is short.)

31. What is the difference between a Sermon and a Homily? Homily- to explain Scripture A Homily tells us what is happening in the Scripture and how it applies to us today. Sermon A sermon is to instruct in doctrine or to encourage us to make major changes in our lives. Be hungry for Christ’s vision and call.

32. We have now met Jesus in the Scriptures and the Homily. We then profess our faith. We rise and proclaim the Creed. Next we are are moved to present our petitions to God with general intercessions. After each intention or need is read aloud, we pray together, asking God to hear and answer our prayers.

33. The Liturgy Of The Eucharist

34. Preparation of the Gifts The bread and wine are brought to the altar and readied for offering In the early Church, goods were brought forward and given to the priest or fellow believers for sustenance. Eventually this became the collection. The gifts offered in the Eucharist become for us the Body and Blood of Christ God who is never outdone in generosity, returns to us more than we could ever give. The prayers that accompany the preparation of the gifts are Jewish in origin: The praise God the creator for all good gifts and offer to God what we have made of them with human hands. We offer the gifts of bread and wine as a symbolic return to God of all we are and ask that hey become transformed into the “Bread of Life and Cup of Salvation.”

35. The priest drops a drop of water into the wine. He quietly prays, “By the mystery of this water and wine may we come to share in the divinity of Christ, who humbled himself to share in our humanity.” The mingling of the water and wine symbolizes the union of Jesus with his people.

36. On some occasions the gifts are incensed after the blessing of bread and wine. Incense is made up of grains of material that, when heated, melt and give off a fragrant odor. It has been used by almost every world religion as a way of designating the sacred and showing reverence to God.

37. The priest says two prayers: 1. The first prayer is a prayer of contrition. The priest bows before the altar and asks that the Lord would be pleased with “the sacrifice” that is being offered to Him, not out of pride but indeed out of humility and contrition. 2. The second prayer accompanies the washing of the hands. This prayer calls to mind the Passion of the Lord and he act Pontius Pilate before the crowd, but it is more an act of ritualizing the prayer… “Wash my thoroughly from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.

38. The Eucharistic Prayer The first address the people make to the Father in the Eucharistic prayer is a petition of praise The Sanctus The faithful on earth, the souls in purgatory, and the triumphant in heaven are joined in praise to God. Sanctus “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.” -Isaiah 6:3 “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty…” -Revelation 4:8 “Hosanna! Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord! Hosanna in the highest!” –Mark 11:9-11

39. The priest asks God to send His Spirit to transform the gifts of bread and wine into… The Body and Blood of Jesus Christ

40. Jesus took bread, blessed it, gave thanks and said.. This is my Body

41. This is the cup of my blood…it will be shed for you and for all so that sins may be forgiven.” With these words of consecration, Jesus is present as an offering to his Father in order to continue to bring reconciliation and healing between the Father and us, his people.

42. In the Memorial acclamation, the people are asked to proclaim the mystery of faith

43. The priest raises the Consecrated Host and the cup –a gesture suggestive of offering. But it is no longer Jesus alone who is offered to the Father; it is now Jesus with the Church.

44. By the Amen, we profess our faith that what has taken place is real and true. We unite ourselves with the perfect sacrifice of Jesus Christ and prepare ourselves to receive His Body and Blood in Holy Communion.

45. The Lord’s Prayer Begins the Communion Rite The Lord’s Prayer reminds us that God is our Father and we are God’s children who depend on him for everything.

46. As far back as AD 150 Saint Justin wrote about a “holy kiss” given “after finishing the prayer of the faithful” Reaching out to one another is not easy, we are forced to admit interdependence. Jesus’ first words after the resurrection were, “Peace be with you.” We exchange the same words as our final preparation for Communion.

47. Lamb of God – a litany type acclamation that accompanies the Breaking of the Bread. As the body of Jesus was broken on the cross to “take away the sins of the world,” so it is broken again to nourish us in our constant effort to rise above sinfulness and to grow in goodness.

48. Holy Communion is our most intimate union with Christ. In Communion we share in the life and work of Christ. This meal unites us with every other believer around the table. Each one of us, as we absorb the Body and Blood of Christ, is empowered to bring some share of his life to all we meet.

49. After the distribution of Communion and the completion of the Communion song, it is time to pause and in prayer savor our union with Jesus. This is a prayer of petition. The priest prays that the reception of holy Communion will result in certain and definite spiritual benefits for those who have shared in the Eucharist.

51. With the final blessing of the celebrant, the Mass is ended. The presider or deacon commissions the assembly to, “Go in peace to love and serve the Lord.”

52. There is no longer Jew or Greek, There is no longer Slave or free, There is no longer Male of female; For we all are ONE IN CHRIST JESUS Galatians 3:28

53. Some have questioned whether the custom of observing silence in churches is to be retained, particularly before Mass. The new GIRM commends this practice: “Even before the celebration itself, it is commendable that silence be observed in the church, in the sacristy, in the vesting room, and in adjacent areas, so that all may dispose themselves to carry out the sacred action in a devout and fitting manner” (45).