Understanding the different parts of the Mass

Fr Martin started off the formation on January 28.

Mar 05, 2015

By Dr Ivan Filmer
What is the first thing you see when you enter a church? Why do we sign ourselves when we enter the church? What is the significance of the number of candles lit at the altar during Mass? What is the meaning of the word “Eucharist”? These were some of the questions Fr Martin Arlando asked when he gave his formation on The Mass Explained to a crowd of more than 250 parishioners at the Church of Divine Mercy.

Fr Martin started off the formation on January 28. He explained that he would not be able to cover all aspects in the two hours. He began by drawing a comparison of the similarities of the Tent that housed the Tabernacle during ancient times with the design of the church today. The participants began to see the significance of the various fixtures and its correlation with the design of the Tent. They saw the central position of the tabernacle as the first thing to be seen on entering a church, the bronze Laver (used for cleansing by the priest), the candles on the altar to the seven lampstands of ancient times (as the Word illuminates), the burning of incense as a practice of Aaron every morning and evening in the Tent.

Fr Martin then went on to explain the four parts that make up the Mass. He explained that all the seven sacraments are celebrated at Mass in seven liturgical rites. Three of them are believed to impart a “sacramental character” on the recipient. The word “Mass” comes from the Latin word Ite, missa est which means “Go, you are sent forth.” So, at the Mass we are commissioned to go forth and share with others. The word “Eucharist” comes from the Greek word meaning “Thanksgiving.” God saved us through His Son’s sacrifice for which we give thanks.

In communion, we show our unity as one Church and as the one body of Christ. For the first time at CDM this year, we will all come together for the Passover Seder Meal during Lent. He reminded those present that the Mass is not just a memorial, it brings a present reality of the past. We are all joined to this moment in the past as we offer ourselves with Jesus in the Mass. The Mass can be interpreted in many ways. It is a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity and a paschal banquet.

In order to help us all remember the various parts of the Mass, Fr Martin asked the participants to liken the Mass to a meeting of old friends. We all decide to meet at a place (the Church). We greet one another (the Introductory and Gathering Rite). We apologize for having not meet up earlier (the Penitential Rite). We tell each other stories (the Liturgy of the Word). We bring gifts (the Offertory). We share a meal (the Liturgy of the Eucharist) and then we bid farewell (The Concluding Rite and Commissioning).

In between, we do many things like signing ourselves when we enter a church to remind us of our baptismal vows. We genuflect or give a low bow to recognize the presence of God in the tabernacle. We collect the peoples’ prayers to offer to the Father (the Collect). We stand for the Word of God at the Gospel but sit for the other readings. We profess our faith in the Nicene Creed which is a public profession of our willingness to give our lives for one another, just as Jesus did for us. We listen to the Eucharistic prayer, which is the longest prayer in the Mass, offered up by our priest to the Father, for us. We sing a prayer of glory to God in the Doxology. We offer a Sign of Peace as a sign of reconciliation to one another. Finally the Mass ends with a Blessing and Dismissal where we are commissioned to carry the Mass to others.

Fr Martin acknowledged that he had to cover many aspects of the Mass superficially due to time constraints. In order to help the parishioners better understand the Mass, powerpoint slides of the formation have been posted on the CDM website (http:\\www.cdm.my). Fr Martin has been requested to give a followup at a later date. The formation ended with fellowship at St Faustina Hall.

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