Monday, May 25, 2020 –
Goodness! Has it been 10 weeks already?! Looks like things are still a but nutty out there, so let’s hunker down inside and continue with our basic primer on the Mass…
Specifically, what is Mass? Meaning, what are the parts of Mass?
“The Eucharistic celebration always includes: the proclamation of the Word of God; thanksgiving to God the Father for all his benefits, above all the gift of his Son; the consecration of bread and wine; and participation in the liturgical banquet by receiving the Lord’s body and blood. These elements constitute one single act of worship.” (CCC 1408)
For the Novus Ordo, this slightly confusing quote breaks Mass down into two distinct parts: The Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. The Traditional Latin Mass, or Extraordinary Form, breaks down into: the Mass of the Catechumens and the Mass of the Faithful. Both forms are roughly the same, but I will go into a deeper outline of each in the next couple of days.
For today, I will give a very brief and totally not sufficient definition of each of the over-arching parts in both forms. So hold on, I promise in the coming days I will better explain and define the $5 words I’m about to throw at you.
What is the “Liturgy of the Word”?
In the Novus Ordo, the “Liturgy of the Word” is the first of the two principal parts of Mass. Basically, this is the over-arching term for the “stuff” that happens in the first part of Mass: the entrance or introductory rite (prayers); the reading(s) (one or two depending on if it is a daily Mass or a Sunday / Holy Day of Obligation Mass); the responsorial Psalm; the Gospel; the homily (AKA when the Priest talks about the readings); the profession of faith (AKA the Creed); and the universal prayers.
The Liturgy of the Word teaches us. It gives us readings and prayer that prepare our hearts and minds for the Eucharist.
What is the “Liturgy of the Eucharist”?
The “Liturgy of the Eucharist” is the second of the principal parts of Mass in the Novus Ordo. Basically it covers: the presentation of gifts (bread and wine used for the Consecration); the prayers over the offerings; the Eucharistic prayer; the Our Father; the sign of peace; the Communion Rite; and the Concluding Rite (end prayers and dismissal).
The Liturgy of the Eucharist brings us the Eucharist. It is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
What is “Mass of the Catechumens”?
In the Traditional Latin Mass (also known as the Extraordinary Form), the Mass of the Catechumens consists of the “preparatory part of the Mass,” meaning all the stuff leading up to the “principal parts of the Mass.” The Mass of the Catechumens includes: the Confiteor; the introit; the kyrie; the Gloria; the collect; the epistle; the gradual and Gospel; and the creed. Yes, I will define those terms in the greater outline to come.
Early on in Christianity, people desiring to become Christians (AKA those wishing to be Baptized and received into the Faith) had to receive education on the Faith. They were called catechumens. Catechumens is a Greek word meaning people who are being instructed. Since they were not fully initiated into the Faith, they would come just for this first part of the Mass to receive their education. They were then dismissed for the principal parts of the Mass until they received Baptism and were fully initiated into the Faith.
Also dismissed after the Mass of the Catechumens were anyone under a course of penance as well as those who were not admitted to Communion. Way back in the day, the Mass of the Faithful was considered too sacred—too holy—for anyone not fully instructed to understand what is happening, or anyone who was a notorious sinner. Keep in mind, penances used to last for days or even years. This practice changed over time, and now most penances can be done immediately after Confession (usually it is a series of prayers now).
Likewise, the Church changed the practice of dismissing catechumens and penitents. All are now permitted to remain during the whole of Mass (i.e. both the Mass of the Catechumens AND the Mass of the Faithful).
What is the “Mass of the Faithful”?
Okay, so the first part of the Traditional Latin Mass was the “teaching” part or the “preparatory” part. The second “half” consists of the “principal” parts. Basically, the stuff that leads up to the Sacrifice of the Mass and, of course, the Sacrifice itself. Remember, the Sacrifice of the Mass re-presents the Sacrifice on the Cross. It transcends time and space because it is the same sacrifice of Christ on Calvary made present for us again in an un-bloody manner.
Within the Mass of the Faithful there are three principal parts: the Offertory; the Consecration (AKA the Canon); and the Communion. The Offertory is the preparation for the Sacrifice. The Consecration, or Canon, is the offering of the Sacrifice. Lastly, the Communion is the concluding of the Sacrifice.
Whew! That was both a lot and not enough for today. Next, we will delve deeper into both forms. What about the other rites, you ask (Dominican, Ambrosian, etc.)? Someday I may give y’all a handy chart to see all the different rites…maybe. Trust me, it is a lot!
Saint Gregory the Great, pray for us!
