The Catholic Mass Understanding its Structure and Meaning Biblical - - PDF document

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The Catholic Mass

Understanding its Structure and Meaning

Biblical Foundations

What Biblical stories give us the foundation of the Catholic Mass?

• Matthew 18:20
• Joshua 8:30-31
• Hebrews 8:3
• 2 Corinthians 9:12
• Matthew 26:26

What do these stories tell us about the mass?

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What is a Mass?

• When we gather in the Catholic Church to

celebrate God as a community, it is called a Mass.

– Mass (from the Latin “ite, missa est” meaning “go forth” or “sent”) is a commissioning activity. It is meant to send God’s people into the world to help build the Kingdom of God.

• A Mass is most successful when its celebrants

are inspired to deliver the good news of Jesus to

• thers.

Rituals

• The Catholic mass consists of rituals that make

up our sacramental practice.

– A ritual is a repeated symbolic action that has a deeper meaning. They often have a greater emotional significance than routines.

• A Ritual is different than a routine. Routines

are habits that are regularly followed in our day to day life. They often reflect preferences, but not deeply held beliefs.

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Which of these are rituals?

• Walking home from school every day.
• Praying before meals.
• Brushing your teeth in the morning and at

night.

• Walking across the stage after graduation.
• The lighting of the torch at the Olympics.
• Ordering the same food from your favorite

restaurant.

Which of these are rituals?

• Walking home from school every day.
• Praying before meals.
• Brushing your teeth in the morning and at

night.

• Walking across the stage after graduation.
• The lighting of the torch at the Olympics.
• Ordering the same food from your favorite

restaurant.

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Liturgy

• The Catholic Mass consists of two major
• liturgies. A liturgy is a ritual that celebrates the

work of God.

• The two major liturgies of the Catholic mass

include:

– The Liturgy of the Word – The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Eucharist

• The Eucharist is the major celebration of the

Mass.

– The Eucharist (from “eucharistica” meaning “give thanks”) is the central Sacrament of the Catholic

• Church. It is the real presence of Jesus manifested

during the Mass. – Because of the Eucharist, the Mass is both a sacred meal and a sacrifice. Through the ritual, we remember and participate in Jesus’ sacrificial actions.

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Presence of God in the Mass

• Catholic believe that God is present

in all things

• However, Catholics believe that God

is undeniably present in four parts of the Catholic mass.

In the Celebrant (Priest or Bishop)

The priest acts not as himself, but rather “in the person of” Christ during the mass.

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In Scripture (The Word of God Proclaimed) In The Assembly (The People Gathered)

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In the Eucharist (After Consecration)

Four Parts of the Mass

• There are Four Parts that make up the Mass

–Introductory Rites –Liturgy of the Word (Scripture) –Liturgy of the Eucharist –Concluding Rites

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Introductory Rites

1. Entrance Song 2. Greeting 3. Penitential Act 4. Kyrie (Lord, have mercy) 5. Gloria 6. Opening Prayer

Liturgy of the Word

1. First Reading (Old Testament or Acts) 2. Psalm 3. Second Reading (Epistles) 4. Gospel Acclimation 5. Gospel 6. Homily (Explanation of the Readings) 7. Profession of Faith (Creed) 8. Prayers of the Faithful

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Liturgy of the Eucharist

1. Presentation & Preparation of the Gifts 2. Prayer over the Offerings 3. Eucharistic Prayer (an invocation of the Holy Spirit on the

• ffered gifts)

4. Communion Rite

• Lord’s Prayer
• Sign of Peace
• Lamb of God
• Reception of Communion
• Prayer after Communion

Concluding Rites

1. Final Blessing 2. Dismissal

• “Go forth, the Mass has

ended.”

• “Go in peace to love & serve

the Lord.”

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Other Terms

• Roman Missal – The book the priest uses at the

altar and at his chair that includes all the prayers of the Mass.

• Genuflect – Bending down to one knee in an

act of worship. Usually accompanied by crossing oneself before the Eucharist or Altar.