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The Catholic Mass

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To a modern culture, the Catholic Mass may seem old, highly scripted, not at all entertaining, and just plain odd.  To many Catholics it may seem too numbingly familiar but still mysterious in the actions and prayers.   But the Mass IS based in the Holy Scripture (the Bible).  It is important for those who attend Mass, that they learn the significance and origin of each part so that the Mass is not merely something they attend, but something they participate in 1.  Fully,  2.  actively, and 3. consciously.  Whether you realize it or not, the Catholic Mass is Heaven on Earth! 

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In the 2 videos below, you will find Dr. Scott Hahn, Professor of Biblical Studies, a former Presbyterian minister turned Catholic explaining the Mass in his entertaining story-telling Manner. 

And the book The Lamb's Supper: The Mass as Heaven on Earth

Of all things Catholic, there is nothing that is so familiar as the Mass. With its unchanging prayers, the Mass fits Catholics like their favorite clothes. Yet most Catholics sitting in the pews on Sundays fail to see the powerful supernatural drama that enfolds them. Pope John Paul II described the Mass as “Heaven on Earth,” explaining that what “we celebrate on Earth is a mysterious participation in the heavenly liturgy.” The Lamb’s Supper reveals a long-lost secret of the Church: The early Christians’ key to understanding the mysteries of the Mass was the New Testament Book of Revelation. With its fantastical imagery, mystic visions of heaven, and end-of-time prophecies, Revelation mirrors the sacrifice and celebration of the Eucharist. Written in clear, direct language, Scott Hahn’s beautiful book will help you see the Mass with new eyes, pray the liturgy with a renewed heart, and enter into the Mass more fully, enthusiastically, intelligently, and powerfully than ever before. - Can be found on Amazon and most Catholic online book stores. -

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The Sunday Obligation Explained  Dr. Brant Pitre

Remember that there are three components to a mortal sin: grave matter (which would apply here in missing Mass), full knowledge, and full consent of the will (see CCC 1854-64).

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The Church’s discipline is the same whether with Sunday Mass (CCC 2180–2183) or another holy day of obligation (see The Code on Canon Law [CIC], canons 1245; 1247–1248). That is, there can be mitigating circumstances or ones that fully excuse if a person misses Sunday Mass. 

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The Church provides in general:

The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practice. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on days of obligation, unless excused for a serious reason (for example, illness, the care of infants) or dispensed by their own pastor.119 Those who deliberately fail in this obligation commit a grave sin (CCC 2181).

 

God knows definitively whether a person who has missed Mass on a Sunday or holy day of obligation has done so with grave culpability. In addition, a person should typically be able to evaluate his actions in such a case. If he has any questions, a good priest can provide discerning counsel.

 

Finally, if one anticipates he might have trouble fulfilling his Sunday or other holy day of obligation to participate in Mass, he may seek a dispensation in advance from his parish pastor (see CCC 2181; CIC, canon 1245). This would include those persons who—because of weekend work obligations—are unable to fulfill in an ongoing way their Sunday Mass obligation (including by participating in a Saturday vigil Mass), although, if at all possible, hopefully their employers will provide them adequate flexibility to meet that obligation. 

 

- From Catholic Answers https://www.catholic.com/qa/missing-mass-on-a-holy-day-of-obligation 

More detailed learning on the Mass by Brandt Pitre  (behind a paywall, free limited trial) https://catholicproductions.com/products/mass-readings-explained-include-trial#excerpts

Track 1

The Mass Explained

50+ Videos · The Roman Rite in Scripture & Tradition

Prayer by prayer, gesture by gesture — the Biblical, traditional, and mystical roots of the Mass you experience every week

  • The Mysteries of the Mass

  • Latin & English — languages used in the Mass

  • Sacred music & Gregorian chant

  • Postures, gestures, vestments & the sanctuary

  • The Eucharistic Prayers · Holy Communion

  • The Mass before & after Vatican II

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