Every Catholic knows the commandment to keep holy the Lord's day, but many question its importance and what parts of the Mass are the most essential.
Various experts and the pope explain why it is the center of the Catholic faith, that it hasn't lost its meaning and what the moment of consecration means.
WHAT IS THE MASS?
According to the Catechism of the Catholic Church, “the Eucharistic celebration is the sum and summary of our faith... because in it, is contained the whole spiritual good of the Church.”
PROF. PIERANGELO MURONI
Liturgy expert, Pontificia Universita Urbaniana
“The Mass for us is the center of all the sacramentalism of the Church, the whole Christian celebration. The Eucharist is the moment when the whole community meets to respond to Jesus' command: do this in memory of me. It's broken down into two parts, which are the most important parts. They are the Liturgy of the Eucharist and the Liturgy of the Word.”
These two parts have also been spoken about by Pope Francis during a catechesis series, which he dedicated to the Mass.
POPE FRANCIS
January 31, 2018
“At Mass, the Word of God is read. It is the Lord who speaks to us. Substituting His Word with other things impoverishes and compromises the dialogue between God and his people in prayer.'
IS IT STILL RELEVANT?
The Mass was instituted by Christ himself at the Last Supper and he asked that it be continued in memory of Him. Thus, the Mass is timeless, since it is a memorial of Jesus' Passion and Resurrection.
POPE FRANCIS
December 13, 2017
'Unfortunately, for many, Sunday Mass has lost its meaning. They think it is enough to be good and love others. The celebration of the Sunday Eucharist gives the whole week meaning.”
The pope says that the Eucharist gives Catholics what they need most, Christ as one's strength and the grace to continue walking.
WHAT ARE THE ESSENTIAL ELEMENTS?
Apart from a general understanding of the Mass, the Secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments breaks down the essential elements.
MSGR. ARTHUR ROCHE
Congregation for Divine Worship and Sacraments
“The Scriptures, the breaking of the Word, gives life to the breaking of the bread, in which Christ is actually present. It is true that the Lord is actually present in the Scriptures, but the actual speaking of the Word of God over the bread and wine make that bread and wine into the body and blood of Jesus Christ.”
