Priest Answers Questions about the Mass

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Hello Internet. My name is Fr. Casey Cole.  I'm a Franciscan Friar and Catholic priest,   and today I'm answering your questions  about the Mass. Ora Pro Nobis. At what point does the bread and wine  change into the Body and Blood of Christ? I always finds questions like this funny. When  does it happen? How can we reduce the mass to   the most essential words and gestures? The  technical answer to this question is when the   priest says “this is my body” and “this is my  blood.” It’s called a performative utterance,   words that not only describe a  condition but make it happen,   like “you’re under arrest” or “I bet  you ten dollars it will rain tomorrow.” But let’s not get caught up in  answering everything technically.   It’s an experience of mystery, an act  of communion. My fear with questions   like this is that it may reduce the  mass to but a few important words,   when the Church teaches that every  moment of the mass is necessary. Because, really, you can’t just say “this is my  body” and make it a mass. Without the readings,   without the petitions, without the other  words and gestures that bring us together   and prepare us for the Eucharist, all we’d we  doing is magic, and that’s not why we gather. Can any of the creeds be used in the mass? Both the Apostle’s Creed and the  Nicene creed are appropriate for mass,   and either one can be used at any time.  Other creeds, however, are not permitted. Why do some parishes ring bells at  the consecration and some don’t? So this is a really interesting question.  Bells were introduced around the time that   the Church was defining and emphasizing  the doctrine of transubstantiation,   between the 11th and 13th centuries. At  this time, the mass was entirely in latin,   which many people did not speak, most of the  prayers were spoken in private by the priest,   and his back was to the people. Bells were  introduced at the moment of consecration to   get the attention of the congregation who  might otherwise miss what was happening. Today, that is no longer necessary as a reason.  The congregation is called to participate fully,   and in most cases, the prayers are aloud  and in the vernacular. For this reason,   the bells are not required, but for  added solemnity, they may be used. Can you explain the blessing for non-Catholics  that they receive in place of the Eucharist. In short, no. While it is a common practice for  non-communicants to receive a blessing—whether   that be a non-Catholic, a child, or simply a  Catholic who chooses not to receive on that   day—it does not appear anywhere in the Church’s  liturgical documents, encouraging or forbidding. One does have to question the appropriateness of  the action, however. Especially in places where   Catholics are minorities, blessing guests seems  welcoming and inclusive, but is communion really   a time to be offering a separate blessing,  and does it confuse the liturgy to have   extraordinary ministers of communion offering  individual blessings while the rest of us are   celebrating our unity in Christ? Hopefully the  Church will offer some directive in the future. Why do the altars have relics and how  do they know who they belonged to? Every altar is holy, not just because a bishop has  blessed it, but because a small relic of a saint   is placed within it. This is a tradition that  dates back to before Christianity was even legal   in Rome, when Christians used to celebrate mass  literally underground in the catacombs. There,   among the tombs of the martyrs, they would  celebrate the mass reminding themselves   of the ultimate sacrifice  that required of Christians. After Constantine allowed the practice of  Christianity, small pieces of the saints   were placed in above-ground altars to  keep the spirit going, and at the Second   Council of Nicaea in 787, the Church mandated  that all altars contain a relic of a saint. How do priests know what  gospel or homily to talk about? The Catholic Church follows what is called a  lectionary, a cycle of readings. Every three   years for Sunday Masses, and every two years  for daily masses, the cycle repeats, meaning   that you can know right now that on February  21, 2080, it will be the 7th Sunday in ordinary   time, year A, and the Gospel will be Luke 6:27-38,  be compassionate as your Father is compassionate. In our Communion Rite, right  after the sign of peace,   the priest breaks off a small piece of  the host and puts it in the chalice. Why? This is a practice dating back to the early  Church when parishes were beginning to form   as satellite churches to the cathedral.  Wanting to emphasize unity with the one   eucharist celebrated by the bishop, a  piece of the bishop’s consecrated host   was brought to the parish and mixed  together with the local celebration. How come we don't have days when we celebrate  Mass outside? Jesus gave his sermon on the mount. There aren’t any designated days, as this  would be difficult to coordinate for churches   in different climates around the world, but  celebrating mass outside is not forbidden.   I’ve celebrated a number of masses outside—both  because of COVID but also when camping or on   retreat—and it is common for parishes to  have a sunrise service on Easter Sunday. Why does the Roman Church use unleavened bread? The reason is scriptural—during the  original passover in the exodus story,   the Israelites used unleavened bread as they  were in a rush and on the way. We have simply   kept this tradition going, reminding us  that we are also pilgrims on a journey. How late is too late to come to mass? Believe it or not, there isn’t a rule for  this. The reason is because every part   of the mass is important and we would  never want people to think that parts   are optional. We’re called to participate  in every moment, not just the Eucharist,   and any moment missed is to our own detriment. You wouldn’t show up to a dinner party  right as the dinner is being served,   would you? The greetings, appetizers,  catching up, and setting the table may not   be essential to the food itself, but they  are important to the overall experience. Some family members believe  receiving the Eucharist in   your hands is sacrilege. Is there truth to that? This is not the teaching of the Church. The Roman  Missal allows for each country’s conference of   bishops to determine how communion is  to be received. In the United States,   it is permissible to receive  in the hand or on the tongue,   and this decision is the right  of the individual communicant. While some may believe that receiving on the  tongue is more reverent, it’s important to not   impose our personal preference upon others or to  add extra laws that the Church does not decree. What happens if the priest dies during the mass? Yikes. Well, first of all, I think our focus  might have to shift from the mass to the priest,   as someone has just died. Depending  on the circumstances of the death,   considerable pastoral care  might need to take place,   and attempting to continue the liturgy  may not be the most appropriate action. But let’s say that priest faints, becomes  otherwise unable to continue. The Church   teaches that if the interruption  occurred before the consecration,   the mass is to cease, whereas if it  occurred during the consecration,   but before it was completed, another priest  may continue where the celebrant left off. Let’s hope none of us ever has to deal with that. What are the unspoken parts of mass? While most of the mass is spoken aloud,   there are a number of prayers that the  priest still says privately to himself. Before proclaiming the Gospel he  says, “Cleanse my heart and my lips,   almighty God, that I may worthily proclaim your  holy Gospel,” and then after kissing the Gospel,   says, “Through the words of the  Gospel may our sins be wiped away.” When pouring the water into the wine, he says,  “By the mystery of this water and wine
may we   come to share in the divinity of Christ who  humbled himself to share in our humanity.” Prior to washing his hands with the lavabo,  the priest bows to the altar and says,   “With humble spirit and contrite heart may  we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our   sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing  to you, Lord God.” When he washes his hands,   he says, “Wash me, O lord, from my  iniquity and cleanse me from my sin.” There are also a few prayers during the communion   rite. When placing a piece of the  host into the chalice, he says During the Lamb of God, he bows to the altar and  prays may the receiving of your Body and Blood,   lord Jesus Christ, not bring me to  judgment and condemnation, but through   your loving mercy be for me protection  in mind and body and a healing remedy. And finally, before receiving communion,   he says “May the Body of Christ  keep me safe for eternal life.” If the Bible says to eat my body AND drink my  blood why does the church teach that the fullness   of the sacrament comes from one or the other…and  why do churches not opt to try and have both? What you’re referring to the is the doctrine  concomitance, and it’s just sort of a logical   necessity. If Jesus were not fully present  in both, would that mean that he was only   half present in the bread and half present  in the wine? How can he be half present? As for the actual practice, it is a much  fully sign and experience of the last   supper to participate in both kinds,  and since the Second Vatican Council,   the Church has allowed and even encouraged the  reception of both kinds. In some cases, such   as during the spread of a disease, this may not  be prudent, but it should otherwise be offered. "Is it ok to pray personal, private prayers  to participate at Mass more actively?” Not really. The mass is a communal prayer.  It is something that unites us as one. To   do something private, even if wholesome  and holy, undermines the purpose of the   prayer. I would strongly encourage you to keep  private devotions for another time and to do   everything you can to participate fully in the  words and gestures of the whole congregation. Why do we still light candles for  Mass? Is it purely for the aesthetic Very simply, candles symbolize the presence  of Christ, the light of the world and of   Baptism by which we share in his light.  As aesthetically pleasing adornments,   they are also signs of reverence and festivity. During the consecration of the host or the wine,  and when the priest hold up the host and wine,   do the faithful have to look up  to it or bow down in reverence? Okay, now you’ve hit a pet peeve of  mine and something I have never been   able to figure out. The instructions for the  mass states that after the priest has said   the words of institution, “he shows  the consecrated host to the people,   places it again on the paten,  and genuflects in adoration.” The whole point of the gesture is  to make sure that you all can see   it. I’m not raising it to God and it is  definitely not a time to think that you   are unworthy to look upon the Lord—we’re  past contrition and mercy. This is the   time to celebrate, to gaze upon the  wonder of the Lord in adoration. Please, when the priest  raises the host and chalice,   don’t look down. He’s holding  it up so that you can see it. Why should I even go to mass? Because it’s a taste of the kingdom of heaven  here on earth. Think about what we do in the   mass. We leave behind our old, individual  lives to take on a new one with others. We   offer praise and thanksgiving to God with our  neighbors and with the saints, and in return   are given the words of life and the sacrament  of salvation, dining at the table of the Lord. Isn’t that what heaven is? Isn’t  that what we hope to live for all   eternity? More than some hoop to jump  through or repetitive work to fulfill,   the mass is the means by which  experience our very salvation. Some wonder why we should go every  week, but I wonder, how could we not?
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Channel: Breaking In The Habit
Views: 45,435
Rating: undefined out of 5
Keywords: Catholic, Franciscan, Casey Cole, OFM, Christian
Id: gqK1rYsxmuM
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Length: 10min 14sec (614 seconds)
Published: Tue Jun 18 2024
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