Revision #8719
Mass
Localized for English-speaking readers (msgbatch_01GvFKF6zaroxwZ2RCatyoPp)
Status: approved
Changes from the previous English revision
= ## Definition and Meaning
- The Mass is the public worship of the Catholic Church, with the Eucharist at its center. The name comes from the Latin *missa*. It is generally understood to derive from the words "Ite, missa est," spoken by the priest when dismissing (sending forth) the congregation at the close of worship.
+ The Mass is the public worship of the Catholic Church, with the Eucharist at its center. The name comes from the Latin *missa*, which is generally understood to derive from the words "Ite, missa est," spoken by the priest when dismissing (sending forth) the congregation at the close of worship.
=
= The Catholic Church divides the Mass into two main parts. The first is the Liturgy of the Word, in which the Scriptures are read and a homily (sermon) is preached. The second is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which bread and wine are consecrated (set apart as holy) and shared.
…
= - The early Christians' practice of breaking bread together (Acts 2:42)
=
- In the medieval Western church, the Mass was celebrated in Latin. The Catholic Church has understood the Mass as a sacrifice that makes present Christ's sacrifice on the cross. The Council of Trent (1545–1563) reaffirmed this understanding.
+ In the medieval Western church, the Mass was celebrated in Latin. The Catholic Church has understood the Mass as a sacrifice that makes present Christ's sacrifice on the cross, an understanding reaffirmed by the Council of Trent (1545–1563).
=
- During the Reformation, the Reformers criticized this understanding. Martin Luther and John Calvin held that regarding the Mass as a sacrifice conflicts with Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). The Westminster Confession of Faith likewise rejects the notion of the Mass as a sacrifice. In response, the Catholic Church maintains that the Mass does not repeat the sacrifice of the cross but re-presents that single sacrifice as a sacrament (a rite that conveys grace through visible signs).
+ During the Reformation, the Reformers criticized this understanding. Martin Luther and John Calvin held that regarding the Mass as a sacrifice conflicts with Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). The Westminster Confession of Faith likewise rejects the notion of the Mass as a sacrifice. In response, the Catholic Church maintains that the Mass does not repeat the sacrifice of the cross but re-presents that single sacrifice sacramentally (in a rite that conveys grace through visible signs).
=
- In the Augsburg Confession, the Lutherans declared that they had not abolished the Mass, and they retained the general framework of the order of worship. Debates among the churches over the Eucharist are treated in detail in Eucharistic controversies.
+ In the Augsburg Confession, the Lutherans declared that they had not abolished the Mass, and they retained the general framework of its order of worship. Debates among the churches over the Eucharist are treated in detail in Eucharistic controversies.
=
= In the twentieth century, the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) permitted the Mass to be celebrated in vernacular languages. The Catholic Church in Korea subsequently began celebrating the Mass in Korean.
=
= ## Practice in Korean Churches
- The Catholic Church in Korea celebrates Mass on Sundays and weekdays and teaches that attendance at Sunday Mass is an obligation for the faithful. Receiving the Host, the consecrated bread of the Eucharist, is called Holy Communion (*yeongseongche*).
+ The Catholic Church in Korea celebrates Mass on Sundays and weekdays and teaches that attendance at Sunday Mass is an obligation for the faithful. Receiving the Host, the consecrated bread of the Eucharist, is called Holy Communion.
=
- Most Protestant denominations in Korea do not use the term "Mass." Churches differ in their terminology and practice as follows:
- - Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches: These hold sermon-centered Sunday worship services. The Eucharist is called the Lord's Supper (*seongchansik*, "communion service") and is often observed a few times a year or on festivals such as Easter.
- - The Anglican Church of Korea: Its Eucharist-centered worship is called the Holy Eucharist (*gamsa seongchallye*, "thanksgiving Eucharist"), and it is normally celebrated every Sunday.
- - The Orthodox Church: The corresponding service is called the Divine Liturgy (*seongchan yebae*, "Eucharistic service").
+ Most Korean Protestant denominations do not use the term "Mass," and churches differ in their terminology and practice:
+ - Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches hold sermon-centered Sunday worship services. The Eucharist is called the Lord's Supper or communion service and is often observed a few times a year or on festivals such as Easter.
+ - The Anglican Church of Korea calls its Eucharist-centered worship the Holy Eucharist and normally celebrates it every Sunday.
+ - The Orthodox Church calls the corresponding service the Divine Liturgy.
=
- Among Protestants, "Mass" generally refers to Catholic worship.
+ Among Korean Protestants, the word "Mass" generally refers to Catholic worship.
Full revision
The Mass is the public, Eucharist-centered worship of the Catholic Church. It consists of two parts: one in which the Scriptures are read and heard, and one in which bread and wine are shared.
Definition and Meaning
The Mass is the public worship of the Catholic Church, with the Eucharist at its center. The name comes from the Latin missa, which is generally understood to derive from the words "Ite, missa est," spoken by the priest when dismissing (sending forth) the congregation at the close of worship.
The Catholic Church divides the Mass into two main parts. The first is the Liturgy of the Word, in which the Scriptures are read and a homily (sermon) is preached. The second is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which bread and wine are consecrated (set apart as holy) and shared.
Biblical and Historical Background
The Catholic Church grounds the Mass in two biblical sources:
- Jesus' words at the Last Supper, when He shared the bread and the cup and said, "This do in remembrance of me" (Luke 22:19-20; 1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
- The early Christians' practice of breaking bread together (Acts 2:42)
In the medieval Western church, the Mass was celebrated in Latin. The Catholic Church has understood the Mass as a sacrifice that makes present Christ's sacrifice on the cross, an understanding reaffirmed by the Council of Trent (1545–1563).
During the Reformation, the Reformers criticized this understanding. Martin Luther and John Calvin held that regarding the Mass as a sacrifice conflicts with Christ's once-for-all sacrifice (Hebrews 10:10). The Westminster Confession of Faith likewise rejects the notion of the Mass as a sacrifice. In response, the Catholic Church maintains that the Mass does not repeat the sacrifice of the cross but re-presents that single sacrifice sacramentally (in a rite that conveys grace through visible signs).
In the Augsburg Confession, the Lutherans declared that they had not abolished the Mass, and they retained the general framework of its order of worship. Debates among the churches over the Eucharist are treated in detail in Eucharistic controversies.
In the twentieth century, the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965) permitted the Mass to be celebrated in vernacular languages. The Catholic Church in Korea subsequently began celebrating the Mass in Korean.
Practice in Korean Churches
The Catholic Church in Korea celebrates Mass on Sundays and weekdays and teaches that attendance at Sunday Mass is an obligation for the faithful. Receiving the Host, the consecrated bread of the Eucharist, is called Holy Communion.
Most Korean Protestant denominations do not use the term "Mass," and churches differ in their terminology and practice:
- Presbyterian, Methodist, Holiness, Baptist, and Full Gospel churches hold sermon-centered Sunday worship services. The Eucharist is called the Lord's Supper or communion service and is often observed a few times a year or on festivals such as Easter.
- The Anglican Church of Korea calls its Eucharist-centered worship the Holy Eucharist and normally celebrates it every Sunday.
- The Orthodox Church calls the corresponding service the Divine Liturgy.
Among Korean Protestants, the word "Mass" generally refers to Catholic worship.