Posts Tagged ‘Mass 101’

The Procession

“Come, let us sing joyfully to the Lord…Enter, let us bow down in worship; let us kneel before the Lord who made us. For this is our God, whose people we are.” Psalm 95: 1, 6-7

The procession is not just a mechanical necessity—getting the players from one point to another—it is also a richly symbolic ritual. The processional is the symbol of our pilgrimage toward heaven; our journey together through life to God.

The processional varies: sometimes it is short, sometimes long and dramatic; it may include altar servers, the lector, choir and priest, or it may be sparsely populated. These differences represent us nonetheless, and the unique journey we are all on toward God.

Often, at the head of the processional, the crucifer, or altar server bearing a cross, leads the way. This simple image is a reminder that Jesus is our “leader to salvation…made perfect through suffering.” (Hebrews 2:10)

“The procession moves, outwardly, at a dignified pace. Inwardly, however, and spiritually, we are hastening to heaven, behind the leader who goes before us: Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and glorified.” (The Mass, pg 95)

The Sign of the Cross

This, the Church’s most basic blessing and fundamental prayer, is both a gesture and a vocal prayer. As the cross is traced across the upper body—forehead, chest, left to right—the priests say: “In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,” and the congregation replies: “Amen.”

With words, the Trinity is proclaimed—Father, Son and Holy Spirit, three in one. In action, God’s love for the human race is reflected: his descent from heaven to earth, taking flesh, and then ascending to heaven, taking our glorified human nature with him.

Through this act, we are reminded of the redeeming act of Christ on the Cross, and we are ushered into celebration. After all, that is what the Mass is all about—the celebration of Jesus, his life, his sacrifice, his resurrection, and his glory.

Come back next Sunday for Mass 101 Part 8: The Penitential Rite!

How many people are involved in a Mass celebration?

Mass is always a gathering, since every celebration of Mass—whether celebrated by a priest on his own or with a congregation—is done in the presence of God. Usually, the Mass is celebrated publicly. Here is a quick run-down of the typical roles of the Mass, and the people who fill them.

Ordained priest: This is the most crucial role in Mass, as it is impossible to celebrate it without an ordained priest. The priest, who leads the celebration, is also called the celebrant.

Congregation: The gathering of people, or lay members, present at a Mass celebration.

Deacon: Ordained by the Church to assist bishops and priests in their ministry, a deacon may also be part of the Mass celebration through calls to prayer, proclamation of the Gospel, preparation of the Eucharist, etc.

Lector: This role is filled by one who proclaims the first and second Scripture readings in the Liturgy of the Word. This term can also refer to an instituted ministry in the Church.

Cantor: The person leading the congregation in sections of the Mass that are chanted or sung.

Altar servers or acolytes: Children, youth or adults who assist in a variety of ways, including lighting and carrying candles, bearing the processional cross, and bringing ritual objects to the altar.

Extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion: Members of the Church who are specially trained and authorized to help priests distribute the Eucharist.

Ushers: Greet and seat worshipers and collect the congregation’s contributions at the offertory, among other duties.

Choir: Musicians and soloists who glorify God by performing sacred music during worship.

Come back next Sunday for Mass 101 Part 7: The Procession and the Sign!

A Few Facts:

• In the early Church, only baptized Christians in good standing were permitted to stay for the Liturgy of the Eucharist portion of the Mass.

• In 155 A.D., St. Justin Martyr wrote a letter to the pagan Emperor Antoninus Pius, detailing the Mass celebration. This is the earliest detailed account of the Mass, and was used by the Church in the Catechism of the Catholic Church to describe the Mass in today’s world. The world and society has changed, but the Mass has not!

Come back next Sunday for Mass 101 Part 6: The People!

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!

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“The Church gives us clear guidance as we prepare ourselves to receive the Lord. What we do is a consequence of what we believe. If we believe that Jesus is God, and that he is really present in the Eucharist, then we will make sure we are well prepared when we go to receive him.” (The Mass p. 44)

How do you prepare for the Mass? Cardinal Wuerl emphasizes the importance of taking your preparations for Mass seriously. In his chapter titled, “Preparing for Mass,” he details the steps of preparation as upheld by the Church.

Take some time to reflect on your own habits in preparation for Mass.

Guidelines for Receiving Holy Communion

The United States Conference of Catholic Bishops issued the following guidelines in 1987 for receiving Holy Communion:

FOR CATHOLICS.  Catholics fully participate in the celebration of the Eucharist when they receive Holy Communion in fulfillment of Christ’s command to eat His Body and drink His Blood.  In order to be properly disposed to receive Communion, communicants should not be conscious of grave sin, have fasted for an hour, and seek to live in charity and love with their neighbors.  Persons conscious of grave sin must first be reconciled with God and the Church through the Sacrament of penance.

FOR OTHER CHRISTIANS.  We welcome to this celebration of the Eucharist those Christians who are not fully united with us.  It is a consequence of the sad divisions in Christianity that we cannot extend to them a general invitation to receive Communion.  Catholics believe that the Eucharist is an action of the celebrating community signifying a oneness in faith, life and worship of the community.  Reception of the Eucharist by Christians not fully united with us would imply a oneness which does not yet exist, and for which we all must pray.

FOR THOSE NOT RECEIVING COMMUNION.  Those not receiving sacramental Communion are encouraged to express in their hearts a prayerful desire for unity with the Lord Jesus and with one another.

FOR NON-CHRISTIANS.  We also welcome to this celebration those who do not share our faith in Jesus.  While we cannot extend to them an invitation to receive Communion, we do invite them to be united with us in prayer.

Come back next Sunday for Mass 101 Part 4: A Mass Quiz!