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)