On the Holy Mass
The Catechism of the Catholic Church #1332 states that the Sacrament of the Eucharist is also called Holy Mass because from the “Latin missa, the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives”. The Latin text of the Rite of Dismissal that ends the Liturgy is “Ite, missa est” which is literally translated as “Go, it [assembly] is dismissed”. From a simple dismissal, missa was given a deeper meaning of mission that as the assembly acclaims Deo Gratias the faithful accepts their role in the life and mission of the Church inspired by the Word of God and strengthened by the Eucharist.
The Holy Mass is the whole of the Liturgical Rites for the celebration of the Sacrament of the Eucharist. The early Christians called it the “breaking of bread”, recalling how Cleopas and another disciple recognized Jesus in the breaking of bread who, as it were, implied for all to “do this in memory of me”. While they were still on the road, Jesus had explained to them the Scriptures, and when He broke the bread later in the evening at supper, Jesus concluded His appearance to these two disciples. This, we can say, was the first Mass after its institution at the Last Supper, again presided over by Jesus himself. This event after the Resurrection prefigured, as it were, the proper celebration of the Holy Mass with Liturgy of the Word (Scriptures) and Liturgy of the Eucharist (Breaking of Bread).
When St. Paul was in Troas where Christians were gathered in a house on the first day of the week, he preached first before the breaking of the bread. In the 2nd Century, St. Justin wrote to the Pagan Emperor Antoninus Pius explaining what Christians did: “On the day we call the day of the sun (Sunday), all gather in the same place. The memoirs of the Apostles and the writings of the prophets are read. The one presiding preaches after which all offer prayers for one another that is concluded by exchanging the kiss. Bread and Wine are brought to the presider who offers praise and thanksgiving after which all present acclaim ‘Amen’. Then all partake of the Bread and Wine.” It is good to note here the succession of actions: There is a “gathering” which in Greek is Ekklesia (Ecclesia in Latin, Iglesia in Bicol); There is a reading and preaching from the Scriptures; There is praying for one another; Finally, there is breaking of bread with prayers of praise and thanksgiving to God (Eucaristein; Eucaristia).
During the early years of Christian communities, differences in the form of the celebration sprung up in the ancient churches of the East. There was also the birth of the Roman Rite. In 1570 after the Council of Trent, the first Roman Missal was published by Pope St. Pius V for the sake of uniformity and validity of celebrations of the liturgy. After the Vatican II renewal on liturgy, Pope St. Paul VI published in 1969 a new Roman Missal revising the celebrations. Notable among the revisions is the permission that the Liturgy be translated into the vernacular instead of allowing just the Latin text. Moreover, the priest now faces the people instead of the priest and people all facing the altar.
At present, we use the 3rd Typical Edition approved by Pope St. John Paul II in the Jubilee Year 2000. There were additional Eucharist Prayers for Reconciliation and Various Needs. It was also decreed that the Translations be faithful to the original Latin. “And with your spirit” instead of “And also with you” is an example of this.
It is nice to note that we inherited a rich and prayerful tradition of attending Holy Mass on Sundays as an obligation. More than that, we offer Masses in commemoration of the living and the dead during occasions such as birthdays and anniversaries. More exemplary are those who offer daily Masses as a devotion, for the Holy Mass is the most complete and highest form of prayer, an offering most pleasing to God.
Sources: Acts of the Apostles, Sacrosanctum Concilium, Missale Romanum, Catechism of the Catholic Church, Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Mane Nobiscum Domine and Sacramentum Caritatis.
Church Stock photos by Vecteezy
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