Mass (liturgy)

== Catholic Church ==
{{Main|Mass in the Catholic Church}}
{{See also|Eucharist in the Catholic Church}}
{{See also|Mass of Paul VI|Tridentine Mass|Pre-Tridentine Mass}} 

The [[Catholic Church]] sees the [[Mass in the Catholic Church|Mass]] or [[Eucharist in the Catholic Church|Eucharist]] as "the source and summit of the Christian life", to which the other [[sacraments (Catholic Church)|sacraments]] are oriented.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Catechism of the Catholic Church – IntraText|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/__P3X.HTM|access-date=2020-06-22|website=www.vatican.va}}</ref> Remembered in the Mass are [[Jesus Christ|Jesus]]' [[Life of Jesus in the New Testament|life]], [[Last Supper]], and [[Crucifixion of Jesus|sacrificial death on the cross]] at [[Calvary]]. The ordained celebrant ([[Priesthood in the Catholic Church|priest]] or [[Bishops in the Catholic Church|bishop]]) is understood to act ''[[in persona Christi]]'', as he recalls the words and gestures of Jesus Christ at the Last Supper and leads the [[Church (congregation)|congregation]] in praise of [[God in Christianity|God]]. The Mass is composed of two parts, the [[Liturgy of the Word]] and the [[Liturgy of the Eucharist]].

Although similar in outward appearance to the [[Christian liturgy#Anglican_Communion|Anglican Mass]] or [[Divine Service (Lutheran)|Lutheran Mass]],<ref name="Bahr2009">{{cite book|last=Bahr|first=Ann Marie B.|title=Christianity|date=1 January 2009|publisher=Infobase Publishing|isbn=9781438106397|page=66|quote=Anglicans worship with a service that may be called either Holy Eucharist or the Mass. Like the Lutheran Eucharist, it is very similar to the Catholic Mass.}}</ref><ref name="University2004">{{cite book|last=Herl |first=Joseph |title=Worship Wars in Early Lutheranism|date=1 July 2004|publisher=Oxford University Press|isbn=9780195348309|page=35|quote=There is evidence that the late sixteenth-century Catholic mass as held in Germany was quite similar in outward appearance to the Lutheran mass}}</ref> the Catholic Church distinguishes between its own Mass and theirs on the basis of what it views as the [[Validity and liceity (Catholic Church)|validity]] of the [[Holy orders|orders]] of their clergy, and as a result, does not ordinarily permit [[Open communion|intercommunion]] between members of these Churches.<ref name="Dimock2006">{{cite book|last=Dimock|first=Giles|title=101 Questions and Answers on the Eucharist|year=2006|publisher=Paulist Press|isbn=9780809143658|page=79|quote=Thus Anglican Eucharist is not the same as Catholic Mass or the Divine Liturgy celebrated by Eastern Catholics or Eastern Orthodox. Therefore Catholics may not receive at an Anglican Eucharist.}}</ref><ref name=Unitatis>{{cite web|title=Unitatis Redintegratio (Decree on Ecumenism), Section 22|url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_decree_19641121_unitatis-redintegratio_en.html|publisher=Vatican|access-date=8 March 2013|quote=Though the ecclesial Communities which are separated from us lack the fullness of unity with us flowing from Baptism, and though we believe they have not retained the proper reality of the eucharistic mystery in its fullness, especially because of the absence of the sacrament of Orders, nevertheless when they commemorate His death and resurrection in the Lord's Supper, they profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and look forward to His coming in glory. Therefore the teaching concerning the Lord's Supper, the other sacraments, worship, the ministry of the Church, must be the subject of the dialogue.}}</ref> In a 1993 letter to Bishop [[:de:Johannes Hanselmann|Johannes Hanselmann]] of the [[Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bavaria]], [[Cardinal Ratzinger]] (later Pope Benedict XVI) affirmed that "a theology oriented to the concept of succession [of bishops], such as that which holds in the Catholic and in the [[Eastern Orthodox Church|Orthodox church]], need not in any way deny the salvation-granting presence of the Lord [''Heilschaffende Gegenwart des Herrn''] in a [[Lutheranism|Lutheran]] [''evangelische''] Lord's Supper".<ref name="Rausch2005">{{cite book|last=Rausch|first=Thomas P.|title=Towards a Truly Catholic Church: An Ecclesiology for the Third Millennium|year=2005|publisher=Liturgical Press|language=en|isbn=9780814651872|page=212}}</ref> The [[Unitatis redintegratio|Decree on Ecumenism]], produced by [[Vatican II]] in 1964, records that the Catholic Church notes its understanding that when other faith groups (such as Lutherans, [[Anglicans]], and [[Presbyterians]]) "commemorate His death and [[Resurrection of Jesus|resurrection]] in the Lord's Supper, they profess that it signifies life in communion with Christ and look forward to His coming in glory".<ref name=Unitatis/>

Within the fixed structure outlined below, which is specific to the [[Roman Rite]], the Scripture readings, the [[antiphon]]s sung or recited during the entrance procession or at Communion, and certain other prayers vary each day according to the liturgical calendar.<ref>[https://www.catholicbishops.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Order-of-Mass.pdf ''Order of the Mass''].</ref>

===Introductory rites===
[[File:Mass, St Mary's Basilica Bangalore.jpg|thumb|upright|A priest offering the Mass at [[St. Mary's Basilica, Bangalore|St Mary's Basilica]], Bangalore]]

The [[Priest (Catholic Church)|priest]] enters, with a [[deacon]] if there is one, and altar servers (who may act as [[crucifer]], candle-bearers and [[thurifer]]). The priest makes the [[sign of the cross]] with the people and formally greets them. Of the options offered for the Introductory Rites, that preferred by liturgists would bridge the praise of the opening hymn with the [[Gloria in excelsis Deo|Glory to God]] which follows.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://litpress.org/Products/5788/The-New-Dictionary-of-Sacramental-Worship|title=New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship|last=Grigassy|first=Daniel|publisher=Liturgical Press|year=1991|isbn=9780814657881|location=Collegeville, MN|pages=944f}}</ref> The ''[[Kyrie eleison]]'' here has from early times been an acclamation of God's mercy.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://litpress.org/Products/6021/The-Genius-of-the-Roman-Rite|title=The Genius of the Roman Rite|last=Pecklers|first=Keith|publisher=Liturgical Press|year=2010|isbn=9780814660218|location=Collegeville, MN}}</ref> The Penitential Act instituted by the [[Council of Trent]] is also still permitted here, with the caution that it should not turn the congregation in upon itself during these rites which are aimed at uniting those gathered as one praiseful congregation.<ref>{{Cite book|title=Sharing the Eucharist Bread: The Witness of the New Testament Xavier Leon-Dufour|last=Leon-Dufour |first=Xavier |publisher=Continuum |year=1988 |isbn=978-0225665321}}</ref><ref>{{Cite book|url=https://litpress.org/Products/5788/The-New-Dictionary-of-Sacramental-Worship|title=New Dictionary of Sacramental Worship|last=Weil|first=Louis|year=1991|isbn=9780814657881|location=Collegeville, MN |pages=949ff |publisher=Liturgical Press}}</ref> The Introductory Rites are brought to a close by the Collect Prayer.

===Liturgy of the Word===
On Sundays and solemnities, three Scripture readings are given. On other days there are only two. If there are three readings, the first is from the [[Old Testament]] (a term wider than "[[Hebrew Scriptures]]", since it includes the [[Deuterocanonical Books]]), or the [[Acts of the Apostles]] during [[Eastertide]]. The first reading is followed by a psalm, recited or sung responsorially. The second reading is from the [[New Testament]] epistles, typically from one of the [[Pauline epistles]]. A Gospel acclamation is then sung as the Book of the Gospels is processed, sometimes with incense and candles, to the ambo; if not sung it may be omitted. The final reading and high point of the Liturgy of the Word is the proclamation of the [[Gospel]] by the deacon or priest. On all Sundays and [[Holy Days of Obligation]], and preferably at all Masses, a [[homily]] or [[Sermon (oration)|sermon]] that draws upon some aspect of the readings or the liturgy itself, is then given.<ref>GIRM, paragraph 66</ref> The homily is preferably moral and hortatory.<ref name="Catholic Definitions">{{cite web|title=Homily|url=http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/07448a.htm|publisher=The Catholic Encyclopedia (1910)}}</ref> Finally, the [[Nicene Creed]] or, especially from Easter to [[Pentecost]], the [[Apostles' Creed]] is professed on Sundays and solemnities,<ref>GIRM, paragraph 68</ref> and the Universal Prayer or Prayer of the Faithful follows.<ref>GIRM, paragraph 69</ref> The designation "of the faithful" comes from when [[catechumens]] did not remain for this prayer or for what follows.

===Liturgy of the Eucharist===
[[File:Elevation of the Host.jpg|thumb|left|The [[Elevation (liturgy)|elevation of the host]] began in the 14th century to show people the consecrated host.|alt=]]

The Liturgy of the Eucharist begins with the preparation of the altar and gifts,<ref>GIRM, paragraph 73</ref> while the collection may be taken. This concludes with the priest saying: "Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father." The congregation stands and responds: "May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands, for the praise and glory of His name, for our good, and the good of all His holy Church." The priest then pronounces the variable prayer over the gifts.

Then in dialogue with the faithful the priest brings to mind the meaning of "eucharist", to give thanks to God. A variable prayer of thanksgiving follows, concluding with the acclamation "[[Sanctus|Holy, Holy]] ....Heaven and earth are full of your glory. ...Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest." The [[Anaphora (liturgy)|anaphora]], or more properly "Eucharistic Prayer", follows, The oldest of the anaphoras of the Roman Rite, fixed since the [[Council of Trent]], is called the [[Roman Canon]], with central elements dating to the fourth century. With the liturgical renewal following the [[Second Vatican Council]], numerous other Eucharistic prayers have been composed, including four for children's Masses. Central to the Eucharist is the [[Words of Institution|Institution Narrative]], recalling the words and actions of Jesus at his [[Last Supper]], which he told his disciples to do in remembrance of him.<ref>{{Bibleverse||Luke|22:19}}; {{Bibleverse|1|Corinthians|11:24–25}}</ref> Then the congregation [[Memorial Acclamation|acclaims]] its belief in Christ's conquest over death, and their hope of eternal life.<ref>GIRM, paragraph 151</ref> Since the early church an essential part of the Eucharistic prayer has been the [[epiclesis]], the calling down of the [[Holy Spirit]] to sanctify our offering.<ref>GIRM, paragraph 79c</ref> The priest concludes with a [[doxology]] in praise of God's work, at which the people give their [[Amen]] to the whole Eucharistic prayer.<ref>{{Cite book|url=http://www.ccwatershed.org/media/pdfs/14/01/25/13-21-48_0.pdf|title=Mass of the Roman Rite|last=Jungmann, SJ|first=Josef|year=1948|pages=101–259}}</ref>

===Communion rite===
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[[File:The British Army in North-west Europe 1944-45 B10582.jpg|thumb|left|A priest administers Communion during Mass in a Dutch field on the front line in October 1944.]]

All together recite or sing the "[[Lord's Prayer]]" ("Pater Noster" or "Our Father"). The priest introduces it with a short phrase and follows it up with a prayer called the [[Embolism (liturgy)|embolism]], after which the people respond with another doxology. The [[sign of peace]] is exchanged and then the "[[Lamb of God (liturgy)|Lamb of God]]" ("Agnus Dei" in Latin) litany is sung or recited while the priest breaks the host and places a piece in the main chalice; this is known as the rite of fraction and commingling.

[[File:Joan Ferrer i Miró- Sortida de missa- 169.jpg|thumb|upright=0.8|''Out of Mass'' (1893), oil on canvas by Joan Ferrer Miró]]

The priest then displays the consecrated elements to the congregation, saying: "Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb," to which all respond: "Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed." Then Communion is given, often with lay ministers assisting with the consecrated wine.<ref name="GIRM, 160">GIRM, paragraph 160</ref> According to Catholic teaching, one should be in the state of grace, without mortal sin, to receive Communion.<ref>{{cite book |title=Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church # 291 |url=https://www.vatican.va/archive/compendium_ccc/documents/archive_2005_compendium-ccc_en.html |access-date=20 August 2019}}</ref> Singing by all the faithful during the Communion procession is encouraged "to express the communicants' union in spirit"<ref name="GIRM, 86">GIRM, paragraph 86</ref> from the bread that makes them one. A silent time for reflection follows, and then the variable concluding prayer of the Mass.

===Concluding rite===
The priest imparts a blessing over those present. The deacon or, in his absence, the priest himself then dismisses the people, choosing a formula by which the people are [[Ite, missa est|"sent forth"]] to spread [[The gospel|the good news]]. The congregation responds: "Thanks be to God." A recessional hymn is sung by all, as the ministers process to the rear of the church.<ref>{{Cite book|url=https://www.catholicbishops.ie/wp-content/uploads/2011/02/Order-of-Mass.pdf|title=Catholic Sacramentary|publisher=ICEL|year=2010}}</ref>