The Structure of the Mass

The Mass has two principal parts.  The celebration of the Eucharist centres on these two primary rites:

»   the Liturgy of the Word

»   the Liturgy of the Eucharist

Before these two, the Introductory Rites gather people together in assembly

The Concluding Rite sends people out

Four Ritual Elements in the Structure of the Mass

1.    Introductory Rites

2.    Liturgy of the Word

3.    Liturgy of the Eucharist

4.    Concluding Rite

Names for the Eucharist

"The inexhaustible richness of this sacrament is expressed in the different names we give it.  Each name evokes certain aspects of it ..."                                                                                                                      (CCC 1328)

"It is called Eucharist because it is an action of thanksgiving to God."                                                                                                                (CCC 1328)

"The Lord's Supper  ..."                                                                               (CCC 1329)

"The Breaking of Bread, because Jesus used this rite, part of a Jewish meal  ...  It is by this action that his disciples will recognise him after his Resurrection"                                                                                                 (CCC 1329)

"The memorial of the Lord's Passion and Resurrection.  The Holy Sacrifice be cause it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Saviour and includes the Church's offering."                                                                (CCC 1330)

"Holy Mass (Missa), because the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfil God's will in their daily lives."                            (CCC 1332)

Christ's Presence in the Eucharist

"For when two or more are gathered in my name, I am there among them."                                                                                                                 (Mt 18:20)

Christ is present at the Eucharist in these ways:

1.  Christ is present in the assembly which gathers, sings and prays in his name

2.  He is present in the person of the priest

3.  He is present in the Word, especially his own word, the Gospels

4.  He is especially present in the eucharistic elements

The Assembly

"The celebrating assembly is the community of the baptised  ..."     (CCC 1141)

"Among the symbols with which liturgy deals, none is more important that this assembly of believers  ...  The most powerful experience of the sacred is found in the celebration and the persons celebrating, that is, it is found in the action of the assembly:  the living words, the living gestures, the living sacrifice, the living meal."                                                          (EACW nn 28-29)

The Rhythm of the Liturgy

"Liturgy has its own structure, rhythm and pace:  a gathering, a building up, a climax, and a descent to dismissal.  It alternates between persons and groups of persons, between sound and silence, speech and song, movement and stillness, proclamation and reflection, word and action."
                                                                               (Environment and Art in Catholic Worship, 25)

Liturgy has a rhythm and pace – liturgy needs:

»  Sound and silence

»  Speech and song

»  Movement and stillness

»  Proclamation and reflection

»  Word and action

»  Balance and variety

»  Rhythm and flow

»  Different 'moments' and 'moods'

»  Best 'blend' of elements

"In the liturgy, let the signs speak!"  (Fr P Negri  SSS)

Reflection Questions

1.  What does Sunday mean to you?  In what way is it special?

2.  Do you have any personal or family 'rituals' connected with Sunday?

3.  How do you prepare for Sunday liturgy?

4.  What Sunday liturgy do you prefer?  Why?

5.  What is your experience of the Sunday liturgy?  When you arrive?
      When you are celebrating?  What do you appreciate most?

6.  What aspects of the lead-up to, and experience of, the Entrance Rite do
      you find helpful?  Is there anything that makes the 'transition' difficult
      for you?

»  In what ways might you approach the Sunday Liturgy
    differently from now on?  

»  What other ways can you think of for a parish to structure its
     gathering and entrance rites?

»  What ideas come to mind in relation to our own Parish Sunday
     Celebrations?  What possibilities can you think of?

From the Second Vatican Council  –  Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy

'The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed;  at the same time it is the fount from which all the Church's power flows.'                                                                                            (CSL, Article 10)

'The Church earnestly desires all the faithful to be led to that full, conscious and active participation in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy.  Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's own people" is their right and duty by reason of their baptism.'                              (CSL, Article 14)

From Saint Augustine

If you want to understand what the body of Christ is, listen to what the Apostle says to the faithful:  'You are the body of Christ;  every one of you is a member of it'  (1 Corinthians 12:27).  Well, since you are the body of Christ and his members, it is your mystery that is placed on the Lord's table.  It is your mystery that you receive.  To the words that tell you what you are, you answer,  'Amen.'  In answering, you assent to the statement.  You hear the words,  'The body of Christ,'  and you answer,  'Amen.'  Be therefore members of Christ, that your 'Amen' may be true.

When you receive communion, you receive the mystery of your own communion in love.  Being many, you are one body.  Many grapes hang on the vine, but the juice of the grapes is mingled into oneness  ...  Therefore, be what you see and receive what you are.                     (Sermon 272)

So this food and drink He wishes to be understood as the fellowship of the body and its members, which is the holy church.               (On John's Gospel 26, 15)

Each of you expects to receive Christ seated in heaven.  Turn your attention to Him lying in the street.  Direct your attention to Christ who is hungry and suffering from cold, to Christ in need and a stranger.
                                                                                                                    (Sermon 25, 8, 8)