Come to Jesus11 DISMISSAL.Pub
COME TO JESUS St. Clare Adult Faith Formation 2014-15
Dismissal Rite
“Go in Peace, glorifying the Lord with your life.”
The shortest of the major parts of the Mass is the Dismissal Rite and it frames the whole Eucharistic Ritual. Where we were in the beginning gathered at the Introductory Rite, we are, at this point, sent as a body into the world. We, the faithful are signed with the cross to carry it as our identity as we go about out daily lives in society. This rite is not to be missed as it is here where the Eucharist as the source of life for Catholics is made truly manifest.
Missa is the Latin word from which the Eucharistic name “Mass” is derived. It also means “mission” as to be sent on accomplish a task. Ite Missa Est is the Latin phrase that says the Mass is ended and being dismissed. However this sending forth must be seen as a hallway to a big world into which we shall enter as the faithful disciples of Christ after receiving His Body and Blood. What is true in this often overlooked rite is the big reality that as the priest dismisses the people, they are commissioned as well to be Christ’s body in the world. Pope Francis calls the people, in his Apostolic Exhorta- tion, “Joy of the Gospel, the missionary disciples.
“As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” (John 20:21;17:18) were the very words of Christ to his Apostles and therefore to His Church in sending all those who believe, in mission. As we are formed in Christ, we also do as he did—emptying ourselves for the others as the sign of God’s love made present in the world. We do this as our thanksgiving and praise for God who has through the Eternal Sacrifice
The Dismissal Rite ends the Eucharistic celebration but it does not end our mission to bring the Eucharist to all. “The Eucharist does not stop at the Church door.” (Apostolic letter, On keeping the Lord’s Day Holy, Dies Domini , #45)
Elements of the Dismissal Rite VENERATION OF THE ALTAR
• Announcement At the start of the Mass we see the priest • Greeting and Blessing kiss the Altar. At the end, the priest frames the whole Eucharistic rite with a kiss on the • Dismissal Altar, once again venerating the Table of • Veneration of the Altar Sacrifice and the symbol of Christ. (Mystery • Recessional of Faith, p 124)
ANNOUNCEMENT DISMISSAL
Since the Dismissal Rite is the sending forth “Go in peace, glorifying God by your life” is of the people as disciples in mission, an- one of the forms used in the dismissal of the nouncements are made when necessary people. As mentioned in the overview, the especially for opportunities for discipleship, people are exhorted to go back to their daily ministry and spiritual disciplines. life and carry out the mission of the Church - mission of healing, justice and proclamation Announcements then should be short, neces- (Mystery of Faith, \p 123). When present the sary and usually concerns the whole commu- dismissal is given by the deacon, whose main nity (Mystery of Faith, p 120). Parish bulletins ministry is that to the poor and needy. Hence and websites are consulted for more infor- our commitment to social justice takes it mation. source primarily from the experience of the RECESSIONAL Sacrifice of Love—in the Eucharist. As we were led by the priest into the cele- GREETING AND BLESSING bration of the Eucharist at the gathering rite of the Mass, he leads us as well at the Once again and for the last time, the priest recessional. This is the procession that greets the people, “the Lord be with you” to symbolizes our entry back into the world of indicate entry to another unit of the Mass. everyday life, where for which we have just And again we respond with “and with your been commissioned as Christ’s disciples “to Spirit.” to acknowledge the grace that lies in love tenderly, act justly and humbly walk his priesthood. with God. (Micah 6:8)”
With bowed heads, the priest gives the peo- To provide unity , liturgically and musically, ple a blessing and offers the prayer to God a song usually accompanies the proces- sion. It also prolongs the festive character that the faithful be given the fruits of the of the Eucharistic celebration. (Mystery of Eucharistic sacrifice and the nourishment of Faith, p 125). God’s Word. Silence, such as in Lent may also accom- As it was in the beginning of the Mass, the pany the recessional. With it, we visualize people are once again signed with the Cross the movement of the Sacred into the secu- as a blessing and as a reminder of our Trini- lar, to touch it and to transform it by the way tarian identity which is Love itself. This sign We are a Eucharistic people, disciples in mission! we live our lives. of the cross does not only indicate identity but a reminder of the task to spread this Thanks be to God, Alleluia, Alleluia! Truly, the Mass is the source and summit of Love. our Christian life.