Liturgy Q & A
Why is our Catholic liturgy called “Mass”?
The term “Mass”, comes from the Latin word Missa, which means “sending” or “dismissal”, and originated in the early days of the Church. At the end of each Mass, the faithful are dismissed with the words, “Ite Missa est“, or “Go forth, the Mass is ended”. We are fortified and sanctified in the Eucharistic liturgy, and then sent out to use the graces we have received to take Christ to the world.
What is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?
From the time of the apostles, the Holy Mass has been the central act of Christian worship. It is a sacred action, beyond all others, re-presenting the redeeming sacrifice of Our Lord Jesus on the cross. The Mass cannot be reduced to the idea of just a communal meal at a table, recalling or symbolizing Jesus’ death on the cross. While the “meal” aspect of the liturgy, more appropriately described as the “sacred banquet”, is integral to the whole celebration, it is only possible for it to take place within the context of the essential sacrifice of Jesus. The Holy Mass makes Christ’s sacrifice on Calvary, which redeemed us from our sins, truly and actually present sacramentally. On consecrated altars in Catholic churches throughout the world, “the same Christ, who offered Himself once in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross is present and offered in an unbloody manner.” (Council of Trent) Only after this holy sacrifice is re-presented on our altar can the sacred banquet occur.