The Mystery of the Mass: from “Greeting to Dismissal” Deacon Modesto R. Cordero Director Office of Worship [email protected] “Many Catholics have yet to understand what they are doing when they gather for Sunday worship or why liturgical participation demands social responsibility.” Father Keith Pecklers., S.J. Professor of liturgical history at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Saint’ Anselmo in Rome PURPOSE Sacrosanctum Concilium, the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (SC) ◦ Second Vatican Council – December 4, 1963 ◦ Eucharist is the center of the life of the Church ◦ Called for the reformation of the liturgical rites ◦ Instruction of the faithful Full conscious and active participation Their right and duty by baptism (SC14) ◦ Revised for the 3rd time (English translation) Advent 2011 – Roman Missal The definition … “Mass” is … The Eucharist or principal sacramental celebration of the Church. Established by Jesus Christ at the Last Supper, in which the mystery of our salvation through participation in the sacrificial death and glorious resurrection of Christ is renewed and accomplished. The Mass renews the paschal sacrifice of Christ as the sacrifice offered by the Church. Name … “Holy Mass” from the Latin ‘missa’ - concludes with the sending forth ‘missio’ [or “mission”] of the faithful The Lord’s Supper The Celebration of the Memorial of the Lord The Eucharistic Sacrifice - Jesus is implanted in our hearts Mystical Body of Christ “Where two or three are gathered in my name, there am I in their midst” (Mt 18:20) What is the Mass? A religious service of the Roman Catholic Church Celebrated in a consecrated or blessed Church by an authorized minister at a consecrated altar Central act – performance of the sacrament of the Eucharist Complex of prayers and ceremonies Celebrated as Christ had instituted it at the Last Supper – in memory of Him May be celebrated on any day in the year – except Good Friday What is the Mass? Two main Types: High (or sung) Mass – requires a priest, deacon and choir Low Mass – same service said by one priest helped by a server or acolyte The parts of the Mass should Be prayed in the language of the people assembled in the church Be sung by the people in the pews (not just choir members) The History of the Mass … The First Masses - Christian Communities called the “euloge^sis” (Matthew & Mark) = eulogy, memorial - Later “euchariste^sas” (Luke & Paul) - “Liturgy” – means the work of the people (“le^os” = people) Last Supper Mass today 1. Jesus takes bread and wine 1. The gifts are offered by the community and prepared 2. Jesus gives thanks/says a blessing 2. The Eucharistic Prayer 3. Jesus breaks the bread 3. The breaking of the bread (fraction rite) 4. Jesus gives it as food to the disciples 4. Communion The History of the Mass … Last Supper to 200 AD… The Last Supper (Luke 22:14-20) “Breaking of the bread” at homes (real meal) Paul added the “homily” – simple long conversations At the end of the first century … Added a “presider” (Bishop) – bread and wine mixed with water “Genoito” = Hebrew for ‘AMEN’ (so be it) “Eukaristia” – only believers were allowed to partake of it, clean of sins Weekly worship of Christians – Sunday (day the Lord rose from the dead) Added readings (Hebrew Scriptures - OT) The History of the Mass … 3rd Century… Prayers after homily (for the sick, catechumens, people in general) = General Intersections ‘Sanctus’ (Holy, holy, holy) first makes its appearance Presider (Bishop) makes up the ‘Eucharistic Prayer’ People feels unworthy to receive communion Clergy wears splendid vestments Incense is introduced Formal protocol of bowing The History of the Mass… 4th Century… Beginning of concelebrated Masses Homes are to small to accommodate assembly Need for bigger place for worship – Basilicas “Ecclesia” [Greek] means “the community called out” Daily mass celebration starts Priest is the presider (before only Bishop could preside at Mass) Order of Deacons was eliminated as permanent order The History of the Mass… 4th Century continues … Scriptures proclaimed from an elevated lectern Homily for an hour or more Multiple celebrants = multiple homilies People presented their gifts – bread, wine, money, & food for the clergy and poor Lord’s Prayer & Exchanged the ‘Kiss of Peace’ Dismissal – “Ite, missa est” – “the meeting is adjourned” The History of the Mass … 5th – 7th Century No main liturgical advances at this time Mass books: “Apostolus” = Lectionary “Sacramentarium” = Sacramentary “Evangelium” = Book of Gospels “Cantatorium” = choir music “Ordo” = ordines/guidelines for Mass celebration The History of the Mass… 8th Century – 1850 AD … Use of the censer (incense) increased (i.e., processions, altar, Gospel Book, people) Dramatic increase in prayers (longer prayers) Liturgical colors were instituted (Pope Innocent III) Clerical vestments are refined 11th-12th Century – altars size grown; added reliquaries (relic-holders), candles, crucifixes/crosses 13th Century – elevation of the host at the consecration 17th Century - adoration / Blessed Sacrament The History of the Mass… 1850 AD - Vatican II… Eucharist to be in the vernacular language Receive communion at every Eucharist, usually under bread and wine More Scriptures (first from Hebrew Scripture) and Readings (3) Priest to face people Prayer of Faithful (reintroduce spontaneous prayer) and Kiss of Peace (spirit of fellowship) Order of Permanent Deacons re-established Christians at Mass should … Go beyond being observers in church life to being active participants Take part in the ritual action, in the prayers, in the singing … Introductory Rites “Have the character of a beginning, an introduction, and a preparation” (GIRM, #46) Purpose: ◦ “Faithful establish communion, ◦ dispose themselves properly to listen to the Word of God, and ◦ celebrate the Eucharist worthily” (GIRM, #46) Posture: ◦ Stand from the beginning of the Entrance Chant until the end of the Collect Introductory Rites Entrance chant or song Reverencing of the altar Greeting of the people Act of Penitence Kyrie (or the Sprinkling Rite) Gloria Collect ◦ NOTE: On certain Occasions some of these rites are omitted or celebrated in a particular manner Entrance Procession Priest and ministers go in procession to the altar: ◦ Thurifer carrying a smoking thurible** ◦ Ministers w/lighted candles ◦ Acolyte or other minister with the cross ◦ Acolytes and other ministers ◦ Reader/Deacon with the Book of the Gospels ◦ Priest who is to celebrate the Mass ** Before the procession, the Priest puts some incense to the thurible and blesses it with the Sign of the Cross w/o words. Entrance Procession Is not just a functional action of solemnly introducing the Priest and other ministers to the sanctuary. Is a visual expression of the people becoming a liturgical community, of being together as a people, a people who have gathered in response to God’s invitation. Is a sign of the self-identity of both ministers and people. Entrance Song Purpose: ◦ To open the celebration. ◦ Foster the unity of those who have been gathered. ◦ Introduce their thoughts to the mystery of the liturgical time or festivity. ◦ Accompany the procession of the Priest and ministers. (GIRM, #47) NOTE: If there is no singing at the Entrance, the antiphon given in the Missal is recited Veneration of the Altar Priest, Deacon, and the ministers reverence the altar with a profound bow. Then the Priest and Deacon kiss the altar as an expression of veneration. If appropriate, Priest incenses the cross and the altar, walking around the latter. Sign of the Cross; Greeting; Introduction Sign of the Cross: ◦ Priest with the entire assembly signs himself with the Sign of the Cross Presider’s greeting: ◦ “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ…” 2 Cor 13:13 ◦ “Grace to you and peace…” Galatians 1:3 ◦ “The Lord be with you.” Ruth 2:4 Presiding Priest or some suitable minister to give a short introduction to the celebration. The Act of Penitence Added after Second Vatican Council Four-part structure: ◦ Invitation to recall sins ◦ Period of silence reflection ◦ Common proclamation Confiteor Invocations addressed to Christ and incorporating the Kyrie Priest concludes with a prayer requesting forgiveness (absolution). NOTE: from time to time on Sundays (Easter) the blessing and sprinkling of water may take place Lord Have Mercy; Glory to God “Lord have Mercy”: ◦ If the Kyrie is not included in the Act of Penitence, it is sung or said immediately afterwards. “Glory to God” ◦ Known as the “greater doxology” ◦ Glorifies and entreats God the Father and the Lamb ◦ Hymn MAY NOT be replaced by any other ◦ Sung or said on Sunday outside Advent and Lent, and also on Solemnities and Feats (GIRM, #53). The Collect Priest calls people to pray “Let us pray” Everybody observes a brief silence Become aware of being in God’s presence Call to mind own intentions Prayer is addressed to God the Father, through Christ, in the Holy Spirit People join in the prayer with the acclamation “Amen” Liturgy of the Word Sunday Lectionary ◦ Three-year cycle Year A – Matthew Year B – Mark Year C – Luke ◦ St. John’s Gospel occurs on the first Sundays of Lent, during the Easter season, and on certain Sundays during Year B The readings from the Word of God are to be listened to reverently by everyone. Always read from the ambo. Liturgy of the Word Sacred Scriptures ◦ First Reading = Prophet (OT) Easter = Acts of the Apostles ◦ Responsorial Psalm ◦ Second Reading = Apostle ◦ Alleluia/Gospel Acclamation; Sequence Faithful should stand at the ‘Alleluia’ No ‘Alleluia” during Lent season Sequence = Easter Sunday & Pentecost Day ◦ Gospel = high point of the Liturgy of the Word Homily Profession of Faith Universal Prayer Gestures… Small Sign of the Cross ◦ Is made at the announcement of the Gospel and following the action of the priest or deacon. ◦ It is made by closing your right hand into a loose fist, with your thumb on top – then using the thumb to trace the Sign of the Cross on your forehead, lips and breast.