"... so that from the rising of the sun to its setting
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name."
Eucharistic Prayer III
a pure sacrifice may be offered to your name."
Eucharistic Prayer III
When we gather for the celebration of Holy Mass, we are responding to Jesus's instruction at the Last Supper: "do this in memory of Me". At the Last Supper, Jesus took bread telling His disciples to
"TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU."
He then took the Chalice filled with wine and instructed them to
"TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME".
"TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT,
FOR THIS IS MY BODY,
WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU."
He then took the Chalice filled with wine and instructed them to
"TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND DRINK FROM IT,
FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD,
THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT,
WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY
FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS.
DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME".
It is easy to take for granted something which we do regularly, and we risk the temptation of becoming lukewarm and forget what we are doing. But, Holy Mass is different. For Holy Mass is a beautiful and precious treasure. A moment when we come to experience a glimpse of heaven on earth.
The Second Vatican Council reminded us:
"The Church, therefore, earnestly desires that Christ's faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators. On the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers, they should take part in the sacred action, conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full collaboration.
They should be instructed by God's Word, and be nourished at the table of the Lord's Body. They should give thanks to God. Offering the Immaculate Victim, not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him, they should learn to offer themselves.
Through Christ, the Mediator, they should be drawn day by day into ever more perfect union with God and each other, so that finally God may be all in all"
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 48.
The Second Vatican Council reminded us:
"The Church, therefore, earnestly desires that Christ's faithful, when present at this mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators. On the contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers, they should take part in the sacred action, conscious of what they are doing, with devotion and full collaboration.
They should be instructed by God's Word, and be nourished at the table of the Lord's Body. They should give thanks to God. Offering the Immaculate Victim, not only through the hands of the priest but also together with him, they should learn to offer themselves.
Through Christ, the Mediator, they should be drawn day by day into ever more perfect union with God and each other, so that finally God may be all in all"
The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 48.
the four parts of mass
Holy Mass can be divided into four parts.
INTRODUCTORY RITES
The community gathers together and acknowledges their need for God's mercy. |
THE
LITURGY OF THE WORD We then listen to God speaking to us through the Sacred Scriptures (the Bible) |
THE LITURGY OF THE EUCHARIST
We respond to God's Word by carrying out Jesus' instruction to "do this in memory of Me" |
CONCLUDING RITES
We are then instructed to go out and live what we have received. |
Everybody is welcome in the Church. Nobody is too good, or indeed too bad, to go to Church! God wants to welcome you there. Yes, God is all around us, but when we come to Holy Mass we experience Him in a very real way. He becomes Truly Present on the Altar.
When we celebrate Holy Mass, we come into God's presence and feel His love for each one of us. It is the moment when heaven and earth collide. A moment when - with all the millions of angels and Saints - we unite together in praise, worship and Adoration of the God of Love.
When we celebrate Holy Mass, we come into God's presence and feel His love for each one of us. It is the moment when heaven and earth collide. A moment when - with all the millions of angels and Saints - we unite together in praise, worship and Adoration of the God of Love.
So, what about the suspension of public celebrations of holy mass?
“It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass.”
St Pio Pietrelcina
St Pio Pietrelcina
These words of St Pio (known as Padre Pio) ring true for many Catholics today. Due to the Coronavirus Pandemic, all public celebrations of Holy Mass have ceased in England and Wales. Catholics around the world are struggling with not being able to attend Holy Mass each day and receive Jesus Truly Present in the Eucharist.
Priests are allowed to continue celebrating Holy Mass (what a wonderful thought, Holy Mass continues to be offered even when people can't be physically present!). But, it feels very strange for a priest to celebrate Holy Mass privately. Modern technology allows these "private Masses" to be streamed via the internet. A truly wonderful use for the internet!
Some priests - when they are celebrating Holy Mass alone - will face a different way than they usually do. This is sometimes called "ad orientem" and means that he is facing the Crucifix and the Tabernacle in the church rather than the camera (or where the people usually sit). This way of celebrating Holy Mass reveals to us something important about what it is that we are doing whenever we celebrate Holy Mass, and Who it is that we are praising.
Priests are allowed to continue celebrating Holy Mass (what a wonderful thought, Holy Mass continues to be offered even when people can't be physically present!). But, it feels very strange for a priest to celebrate Holy Mass privately. Modern technology allows these "private Masses" to be streamed via the internet. A truly wonderful use for the internet!
Some priests - when they are celebrating Holy Mass alone - will face a different way than they usually do. This is sometimes called "ad orientem" and means that he is facing the Crucifix and the Tabernacle in the church rather than the camera (or where the people usually sit). This way of celebrating Holy Mass reveals to us something important about what it is that we are doing whenever we celebrate Holy Mass, and Who it is that we are praising.
It is not that the priest has his back to us, or even that he is ignoring us. In fact it visually reminds us that when he is celebrating Holy Mass, the priest is, in fact, interceding for the people - for you.
He is facing the same way as the congregation do, and he is leading them towards God. The priest stands before you and mediates with God on your behalf. He walks before you on your journey towards God; a bit like an Officer leading an army to war, or a bus driver driving a bus! |
"ad orientem" literally means "Towards the East" - which is where the sun rises each day, and thus where we believe Jesus will Rise from at the end of time).
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What Mass ad orientem reveals to us, is which parts of the Mass are directed towards God, and which parts are directed towards us. Whenever the priest is facing the Altar (remember, he's not turning his back on you to ignore you!) he is interceding on your behalf to God. When he turns to face you, he is inviting you to respond to God and join him in that prayer. Watch for these moments next time you attend Holy Mass.
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Celebrating Holy Mass ad orientem, is firmly rooted in history. It is not about turning back the clock to a previous time. It is solely a way for the priest to focus his attention upon God during the celebration of the Holy Mass. Ad orientem can help the priest to pray during Holy Mass, even when there is nobody but a camera looking at him!
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