Test your knowledge of the essential elements of the Mass with this Mass 101 quiz. Once you’ve made your guesses, read the excerpts from The Mass below to see if your answers are correct! Enjoy!
Questions:
What are the Church’s ritual instructions called?
(a) Guidelines
(b) Rubrics
(c) Dictates
(d) Regulations
While celebrating the Mass can involve many beautiful ornaments, such as grand
cathedrals, precious metals, and bright clothing for the priests, what is absolutely
essential for every Mass celebration?
(a) A cathedral or church
(b) Music
(c) Bread and wine
(d) A Bible
What was Jesus celebrating with the last supper?
(a) Sukkot
(b) Hanukah
(c) Purim
(d) Pesach
What is symbolized in the Bread and Wine?
(a) Jesus’ death and life
(b) God’s plan of salvation
(c) Blood, water, and the continuation of life
(d) The act of the crucifixion
The word “host” comes from a Latin word meaning:
(a) Sacrificial victim
(b) Head
(c) Esteemed guest
(d) Sanctified
SPOILER ALERT: ANSWERS BELOW THE PICTURE
Answers:
“The Church’s ritual instructions—called rubrics—call for precious metals, a wardrobe of bright vestments, and some very poetic prayers and chants…That is all to the good…[It] is surely pleasing to God, and makes the faith more humanly attractive as well. Yet it is not essential. The essence of the rite is bound up in a few words and actions. All that is necessary (strictly speaking) for the priest is a bit of bread and a few drops of wine…” (The Mass, pp 54-55)
“Unleavened wheat bread and simple wine: these are two of the elements in the Passover [Pesach] meal that Jesus celebrated.” (The Mass, pp 55)
“When [grape wine] is mixed with water, it evokes the two fluids that poured from his side on the cross…The Bible equates bread with the continuation of life.” (The Mass, pp 57)
“The host—this word comes from the Latin word describing a sacrificial victim. Only after consecration may we truly speak of a sacrificial victim, a ‘host.’” (The Mass, pp 56)
Come back next Sunday for Mass 101 Part 5: The Parts of the Mass!
