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Sacrafice Of The Mass Or Celebration Of The Euchar; Holy Mass And Communion Services
Topic Started: Saturday, 30. December 2006, 00:29 (93 Views)
nelly k

Can people explain the why`s and wherefors of this,
nelly
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Rose of York
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Whys and wherefores of what, Nelly?
Keep the Faith!

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nelly k

My Dad was going on about the changes to Mass ie from the Sacrifice of the Mass to the Celebration of the Eucharist, should it be one or other or is it both.

PS Rose your question made me smile and the first thought that came to my head was "Life", nelly
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parable
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Hi Nelly,

Regarding your thread heading?
Mass- The common name for the Eucharistic liturgy of the Catholic Church. Also referred to as Eucharist, Celebration of the Liturgy, Eucharistic celebration, Sacrifice of the Mass or Lord’s Supper.

The Council of Trent taught that the Mass is the same as Calvary, "only the manner of offering being changed" from bloody to unbloody. Similarly Vatican II (On the Liturgy #10) said that the Mass is the renewal of the new covenant.

At the Last Supper, the outward sign was the seeming separation of body and blood, with the two species. This was a dramatized way of saying to the Father: "I know the command you have given me, I am to die tomorrow. Very good, I turn myself over to death - expressed by the seeming separation - I accept, I obey." On the next day He did as He pledged, but then the outward sign was the physical separation of body and blood, while the interior remained the same.
In the Mass, by the agency of a human priest who acts "in the person of Christ" (Vatican II, LG # 10) Christ continues and repeats His offering. The external sign is multiplied as many times as there are Masses. But the interior disposition of Christ is not multiplied, it is continued from that with which He died. For death makes permanent the attitude of will with which one leaves this world.
Since the Mass has the same external sign, and the same interior dispositions on the part of Christ, we rightly call it a sacrifice, the continuation of Calvary. It does not need to earn redemption all over - that was done once for all (Hebrews 9:28) by His death. But since the Holiness of God loves everything that is good, and in good order, it pleases Him to have titles or reasons in place for what He will give (cf. Summa I. 19. 5. c). So it pleases Him to have the Mass provide the title for the distribution of what was once for all earned on Calvary.

The idea of celebration has it's roots in Jewish history, specifically in the Passover – that night when the Jews were finally released from slavery in Egypt (Exodus 12). Every year faithful Jews commemorate this event (Luke 22:1) with the Passover Meal and this was a commemoration with which Jesus Christ was quite familiar (Mark 14:12-16) and "it is from his last celebration of the Passover that our celebration derives."

Others I am sure will be able to offer more simple answers if this seems to confusing I apologize for not doing better with it.

God bless,
parable
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Rose of York
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Nelly, here are two quotations from the Eucharistic Prayer:

1 And so, Father, we bring you these gifts,
We ask you to make them holy by the power of your Spirit,
that they may become the body and blood
of your Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, at whose command we celebrate this Eucharist.


then, just after the words of the consecration:

2 Father, calling to mind the death your Son endured for our salvation,
his glorious resurrection and ascension into heaven,
and ready to greet him when he comes again,
we offer you in thanksgiving this holy and living sacrifice.

There are extremists who say we have given up commemorating Christ's sacrifice on the cross, and replaced that with a celebratory meal. My opinion is, those people spread confusion. We do celebrate the fact that Jesus comes to us, body, blood, soul and divinity. We also commemorate his sacrifice, on the cross, of himself for our sins.

Keep the Faith!

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Eve
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Some people are confused as to why Jesus would want us to eat His Body and drink His blood. Here is quite a simple explanation.



Quote:
 
Holy Communion

In the ancient sacrifices, both Jewish and pagan, those who took part were given part of the meat of the sacrificed animal, in the hope of a sort of communion with the divinity. In the Mass, after the sacrifice itself is completed, we have the unspeakable privilege of receiving the flesh and blood of the Divine Victim, who is not dead, but living, and comes to give life in abundance to our souls.

This Holy Communion, if we are rightly disposed, produces an increase in sanctifying grace — the ability to take in the vision of God in the life to come — plus a special claim to actual graces as needed, forgiveness of venial sin for which one is repentant, help to keep from mortal sin, and an increase in the virtue of love. But dispositions are needed, for even though the Eucharist contains the very Author of all grace, it does not operate like magic: we must do what we can.

We must of course have the state of grace. Without it it would be sacrilege, and an added mortal sin to receive. Right intention is also needed, i.e., to please God, to be more closely united with Him, to gain a remedy for our weaknesses.

It is not required to be free from all venial sin. The reception itself may forgive venial sins for which one is sorry. But the fruits of receiving are reduced. It is especially needed that one be free from all deliberate venial sin — in contrast to sins of weakness, sins when one is taken off guard. For fullest benefits, we should be free from all attachment to anything sinful. Some have as it were a gap in their purpose of amendment, as if they said, for example: "I do not intend to commit mortal sins, nor all venial sins. But there are some reservations: if it is hard to stick to the truth, I will not do so, or if it is hard to keep a conversation going without a bit of detraction, that is all right too." These dispositions, sometimes called "affection to venial sin" impose as it were a clamp on one's heart, for he/she has decided to go so far and no farther. So they effectively prevent spiritual growth beyond a certain point. How sad that many who could grow much, block growth by this means.


So, as the Jews at thje time of Christ offered to God the very best, their finest lamb, to express sorrow for their sins, or to ask for what they needed, or show their thanks, Jesus gave us a far greater sacrifice. Compare the sacrifice of an animal, with the generous sacrifice of Christ, the Son of God, of his very self, suffering to make up for OUR sins. That is a very humbling thought.

Does this help?

Link
Howdy Folks. Has anybody seen my husband lately?
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Alan
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nelly k
Dec 30 2006, 12:53 AM
My Dad was going on about the changes to Mass ie from the Sacrifice of the Mass to the Celebration of the Eucharist, should it be one or other or is it both.

Nelly K,

You have answered your own question. It is both.

the Eucharist gets its name from the Central Eucharistic Prayer- The Mass- which is a Prayer of Thanksgiving and Praise to God for what he has done for the salvation of mankind.

there are three aspects to the Eucharist.

It is at one and the same time:

A Sacrifice Sacrament
A Communion-Sacrament
A Presence-Sacrament.

From the Encyclical "Redemptor Hominis" of John Paul II




God Bless all who visit this forum,

Alan.

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nelly k

Realy helpfull stuff , but Ill need to come back and read it, Thanks all nelly
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Rose of York
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Josephine
May 5 2007, 09:00 PM
To me, much as I love to receive Holy Communion......it doesn't feel right out of context. It is an essential part of the Mass...and Communion service is not a poor substitute - it is no substitute. No offence to those who think otherwise - just my opinion.

O.K. Have got down from my hobby-horse now :)

Comments anyone? :tc:

Yes, Josephine, I will comment:

There are Catholic priests and there are protestant ministers.

Much as I respect the efforts, work and dedication of protestant ministers who follow their beliefs and lead congregations in prayer, I say we, who are members of the One, True, Holy and Catholic Apostolic Church, ordained by Jesus Christ, are very privileged.

We have priests who can trace their authority to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, a re-enactment of the Sacrifice on Calvary, all the way to The Twelve - the Apostles. Our priests offer to God, bread and wine, which, by the power of the Holy Spirit, are changed into the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus Christ, offered to God in reparation for our sins.

Reception of Holy Communion outside the context of the Mass diminishes the Mass. Having unnecessary Communion Services, led by laity for the small minority willing and able to attend daily, diminishes the unique role of the sacrificial priesthood.

There is no need for such services, in locations when Sunday, or Saturday Vigil, Mass is available within reasonable travelling distance.

Now, dare I say, that I am pretty sure there are some people who get withdrawal symptoms if they don't get to church several times a week. Some go to pray. Some use it as their hobby and social life. They could ask their priest if they may open up the church, if he is unable to get there, and they could pray together. How about Rosary, Stations, Daily Office. a Prayer Group where they could pray for the intentions of themselves and others, then when they had finished, pop into the parish hall and put the kettle on?

Nobody has died, or lost their soul, due to inability to receive Holy Communion during the week. We can pray anywhere at any time of day or night.

:tc:
Keep the Faith!

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PJD

Thank you for that reply KatyA.

Pesonally I'm content to await your analysis; but if you haven't the time don't worry.

PJD
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PJD

Where I am we are trying to get to the position where nobody is on the Altar not wearing an Alb.

Except of course during the day when hoovering and flower arranging is done.

PJD
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Rose of York
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PJD
May 17 2007, 07:02 PM
Where I am we are trying to get to the position where nobody is on the Altar not wearing an Alb.

PJD

I hope our parish priest never asks readers to wear albs. There is already enough confusion between ordained ministry and "priesthood of the laity". Servers carry out vital tasks that used done by Acolytes, on a step towards priesthood. Deacons are ordained clergy.

Perhaps this is one way of ensuring people are dressed smartly? It saves the priest the embarrasment of taking people aside for "a little word".

We need a well publicised Dress Code for EMHCs and readers. Once it is on the notice board, signed by the Bishop, we will have no excuses.
Keep the Faith!

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