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?
