Assist at mass - is this phrase modern in origin?

[Pug]

I have used the phrase for some time. I never thought it was a newfangled phrase until a priest made a comment about it today. I do understand that the phrase may be misapplied by an individual unfamiliar with the shades of meaning for that word. That is not what I am asking about. I am asking if it is a long used phrase or a modern invention. The priest seemed to imply the latter, which surprised me. The priest leans traditional, which is why I am asking the question here. Am I communicating something about myself when I use that phrase, something I don’t intend? The priest responded rather strongly to what seemed to me to be very unexceptional language.

Thoughts?

 

[At_Trent]

Not sure of when it came into use, but the term refers to participation, mostly silent praying of the prayers of Holy Mass along with the priest. It’s not a post-VII term.

There is more vocal participation by the people in the Ordinary Form, but actually less overall participation in that most people don’t actually pray all the prayers along with the priest. Some prayers are listened to. But it’s true some who attend the TLM don’t pray Holy mass as they were encouraged to do so.

Sadly, you’ll see people at both forms who never touch a missal.

 

[MarkThompson]

The term is, I think, not at all new, as one can see by glancing through the results [here](The term is, I think, not at all new, as one can see by looking). However –

Not sure of when it came into use, but the term refers to participation, mostly silent praying of the prayers of Holy Mass along with the priest. It’s not a post-VII term.

There is more vocal participation by the people in the Ordinary Form, but actually less overall participation in that most people don’t actually pray all the prayers along with the priest. Some prayers are listened to. But it’s true some who attend the TLM don’t pray Holy mass as they were encouraged to do so.

Sadly, you’ll see people at both forms who never touch a missal.

It is a misconception to think that you have to “read along” or “pray the priest’s prayers” to be adequately engaged at Mass. I guess some people feel like they have to be doing something at every moment, but the Church and its Mass wasn’t somehow defective in the days before printing (and literacy) were widespread. Sitting in the pew (or, more likely, standing, before pews were invented) while the priest inaudibly prays the Mass facing ad orientem – and perhaps hidden behind a rood-screen – is a completely authentic and traditional style of Catholic worship. There’s a tendency to think it’s “better” in the modern era because we have books and can follow along, and although hearing, reading, and understanding the priest’s prayers can help us feel like we’re being more active, none of them is necessary to fully assist at Mass. Sometimes I wish people would try to experience the Mass the way untold generations of their ancestors did – which wasn’t with their nose buried in a book, frantically grabbing ribbons and flipping pages!

 

[At_Trent]

Never said one “had to” Mark. At any rate here is proof the term is at least 100 years old.

From a prayer book printed in 1911… at the end of the third line you will see Fr Lasance uses the term “assisting at Mass”

(Please Note: This uploaded content is no longer available.)

Assisting Mass by praying the Rosary ?
Boy that one shatters some myths about little old ladies doesn’t it ?

 

[At_Trent]

Pope St Pius X on the matter:

“Don’t pray at Holy Mass, but pray the Holy Mass.”

  "The Holy Mass is a prayer itself, even the highest prayer that exists. It is the Sacrifice, dedicated by our Redeemer at the Cross, and repeated every day on the altar. If you wish to hear Mass as it should be heard, you must follow with eye, heart and mouth all that happens at the altar. Further, you must pray with the priest the holy words said by him in the Name of Christ and which Christ says by him. You have to associate your heart with the holy feelings which are contained in these words and in this manner you ought to follow all that happens at the altar. When acting in this way, you have prayed Holy Mass."

 

[Bob_Aliano]

I’m sure this is one of those words with a lot of local, geographical influence. When I was an altar boy in New England, 1950’s, the altar boys “assisted” at Mass while the congregation “attended” Mass.

 

[Pug]

From a prayer book printed in 1911… at the end of the third line you will see Fr Lasance uses the term “assisting at Mass”

Thanks for the prayerbook shot! I love seeing older things. Definitely not a post V2 word. A Eucharistic rosary (from the prayerbook). Hmmm. Never heard of that.

 

[Pug]

I’m sure this is one of those words with a lot of local, geographical influence. When I was an altar boy in New England, 1950’s, the altar boys “assisted” at Mass while the congregation “attended” Mass.

Good point. I hadn’t considered that it might be a regional difference.

 

[Pregustator]

I have used the phrase for some time. I never thought it was a newfangled phrase until a priest made a comment about it today. I do understand that the phrase may be misapplied by an individual unfamiliar with the shades of meaning for that word. That is not what I am asking about. I am asking if it is a long used phrase or a modern invention. The priest seemed to imply the latter, which surprised me. The priest leans traditional, which is why I am asking the question here. Am I communicating something about myself when I use that phrase, something I don’t intend? The priest responded rather strongly to what seemed to me to be very unexceptional language.

Thoughts?

I never encountered the term “assisted” at Mass until I came across the Latin Mass crowd in my late teens, so I always imagined that term was more of the traditionalist ilk. I see no reason why anyone would have an issue with the term. So what if the term were modern, I wonder? Does your priest suppose that anything contemporary is invalid?

Sometimes I wish people would try to experience the Mass the way untold generations of their ancestors did – which wasn’t with their nose buried in a book, frantically grabbing ribbons and flipping pages!

I only ever encounter that which epitomizes your complaint at celebrations of the Tridentine Mass, at which nearly everyone is looking down, reading texts, and adjusting ribbons, continually. When I used to attend the Latin Mass, I’d complete the readings beforehand so that I could observe the ceremonies without distraction. The good thing about Mass in the vernacular, of course, is that one can fully participate without ever needing to follow along in a book.

 

[Damase]

My thought is that it’s a direct translation of the Latin verb assistere.

… per tres dies iverunt ad nostrum Ecclesiam assistere ad Missam…
—Acta ordinis fratrum minorum, 1902 (source)

O happy we if we could but assist at all these Masses!
—The Hidden Treasure: the Value and Excellence of Holy Mass, 1855 (source)

 

[ProVobis]

My thought is that it’s a direct translation of the Latin verb assistere.

I wonder what the modern English translation is. Maybe there is no such word.

 

[ProVobis]

Sadly, you’ll see people at both forms who never touch a missal.

True. Most should but won’t bother. We love to be entertained, I guess. Ballgame mentality?

 

[MarkThompson]

Never said one “had to” Mark. At any rate here is proof the term is at least 100 years old.

From a prayer book printed in 1911… at the end of the third line you will see Fr Lasance uses the term “assisting at Mass”

Ah, I see the link that was supposed to be in my last post didn’t come through. Glancing through this list of books from the nineteenth century will show that it’s not a new term at all.

And I guess I misunderstood you when you said it was “sad]” that there were people who did not touch missals, as though that affected their ability to participate in Mass, whether by choice or necessity, in a way you wouldn’t prefer for yourself. My apologies.

My thought is that it’s a direct translation of the Latin verb assistere.

I’m sure that’s it. Two of the famous false friends for those learning Spanish are the verbs asistir, meaning “to attend”, and atender, meaning “to assist” (or “attend to”). Asistir doesn’t carry any of the implications of participation that English “assist” does; you asistir a school, Mass, a lecture, etc. I mention this because every once in a while I’ve seen people say in a huff, “Tsk! Catholics don’t merely ‘attend’ Mass, we ‘assist at’ Mass! (Which doesn’t mean vocal participation, just internalizing the prayers!)”.

I suspect, though, that “assist” used in this sense (“attend”) is and was always a conscious Latinism rather than a natural part of English, which may explain why it seems so forced. Looking at a couple of antique dictionaries (e.g., [1], [2], [3]) doesn’t show any indication that “attend, be present at” was a recognized meaning of the word.

 

[Pug]

Ah, I see the link that was supposed to be in my last post didn’t come through. Glancing through this list of books from the nineteenth century will show that it’s not a new term at all.

And I guess I misunderstood you when you said it was “sad]” that there were people who did not touch missals, as though that affected their ability to participate in Mass, whether by choice or necessity, in a way you wouldn’t prefer for yourself. My apologies.

I’m sure that’s it. Two of the famous false friends for those learning Spanish are the verbs asistir, meaning “to attend”, and atender, meaning “to assist” (or “attend to”). Asistir doesn’t carry any of the implications of participation that English “assist” does; you asistir a school, Mass, a lecture, etc. I mention this because every once in a while I’ve seen people say in a huff, “Tsk! Catholics don’t merely ‘attend’ Mass, we ‘assist at’ Mass! (Which doesn’t mean vocal participation, just internalizing the prayers!)”.

I suspect, though, that “assist” used in this sense (“attend”) is and was always a conscious Latinism rather than a natural part of English, which may explain why it seems so forced. Looking at a couple of antique dictionaries (e.g., [1], [2], [3]) doesn’t show any indication that “attend, be present at” was a recognized meaning of the word.

Thanks for reposting the link. I had wondered what you meant in your first post. You have amazing google skills! :bowdown2: Indeed, your list is helpful for seeing it is not a new term.

To me, assisting at mass means more than being insensible in the pew, but it doesn’t mean we “help”. That is one of the restful things about mass. So little is required of one there compared to other places. No running around trying to please or to meet a deadline. Plus one gets to sit with God!

Interestingly, a definition of “assist” appears in modern dictionaries, like dictionary.com, that shows a meaning of to attend or be present.

 

[At_Trent]

Thanks for the prayerbook shot! I love seeing older things. Definitely not a post V2 word. A Eucharistic rosary (from the prayerbook). Hmmm. Never heard of that.

Quite welcome Pug, that page is the introduction.
Here are the Joyful Mysteries and meditations (I’ve not typed out the rest yet)

The Eucharistic Rosary : Meditations taken from the prayer book With God
by Fr Francis Xavier Lasance , Benziger Brothers 1911

                                 The First Joyful Mystery
                                     The Annunciation

O Jesus, born of Thy Father from all eternity; filled with an incomprehensible love for men, Thou didst become man in the operation of the Holy Ghost, humbling Thyself to such a degree to take the form of a servant. The same charity hath prompted Thee to perpetuate, in the Eucharist, this mystery of annihilation and love, even improving on it by becoming the food of our souls.
Divine Jesus, we adore Thee in these unfathomable abasements, and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, a deep and heartfelt humility.

                             The Second Joyful Mystery
                                      The Visitation

Divine Saviour, from the womb of Mary, wherein Thou didst become incarnate, Thou breathest fourth sanctity into John the Baptist and benediction on the whole house of Elizabeth. From the Host wherein Thou dwellest, Thou spreadest all over the world the influence and grace of Thy love throughout the whole Church.
O divine Jesus, full of love and kindness, we adore Thee, and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, perfect charity toward our neighbors.

                           The Third Joyful Mystery
                           The Nativity of Our Lord

O King of kings ! Poor indeed, yet most lovely in the crib of Bethlehem, Thou callest the simple and the poor to be Thy first adorers: poorer and no less amiable to the eyes of the faith in the Sacrament of thy love, Thou art still delighted to see around Thy person the humble and the little.
O Jesus, in Thy destitution we adore Thee, to Whom belong all the treasures of the God- head, and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, detachment of the goods of this world.

                            The Forth Joyful Mystery
               The Presentation of Our Lord in the Temple

Lamb of God, Who takest away the sins of the world, Thou offer Thyself with perfect obedience and love to Thy Father, through the hands of the high priest, as the Victim that is to be immolated on the Cross ; every day also Thou offerest Thyself upon the alter by the hands of the priest, with the same obedience and love as our Victim always sacrificed and always living.
O sweet Victim, we adore Thee and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, the spirit of obedience and sacrifice.

                          The Fifth Joyful Mystery
               The Finding of Our Lord in the temple

O Jesus, Thou withdrawest and leavest Joseph and Mary in tears to do the work of Thy Father; but Thou fillest them with joy when they find Thee in the midst of the Doctors amazed at Thy knowledge and wisdom. Veiled in the Eucharist, Thou impartest there divine teachings, and Thou fillest with joy those who seek Thee with their whole heart.
O hidden God !, we adore Thee and we beg of Thee, through the intercession of Thy Holy Mother, the grace of seeking Thee with a lively and persevering faith in the Sacrament of Thy love.

 

[Pug]

My thought is that it’s a direct translation of the Latin verb assistere… per tres dies iverunt ad nostrum Ecclesiam assistere ad Missam…—Acta ordinis fratrum minorum, 1902 (source)O happy we if we could but assist at all these Masses!—The Hidden Treasure: the Value and Excellence of Holy Mass, 1855 (source)

If you read the current canon law with English and Latin on facing pages, you can see the English and the Latin contain the letters “assist” in canon 1248 section 1. So perhaps you are right. I’ll trust your Latin, since I don’t have any. (the Latin there says “assistit”)

 

[At_Trent]

True. Most should but won’t bother. We love to be entertained, I guess. Ballgame mentality?

Oh, don’t get me started about hearing about sports from the pulpit !

 

[ProVobis]

If you read the current canon law with English and Latin on facing pages, you can see the English and the Latin contain the letters “assist” in canon 1248 section 1. So perhaps you are right. I’ll trust your Latin, since I don’t have any. (the Latin there says “assistit”)

Important to know that the English cognates (such as “assist” for “assistit”) aren’t always accurate. One of the reasons the Church has traditionally condemned the use of vernacular in the Mass and scripture.

 

[At_Trent]

No biggie Mark, and thanks for the link.

 

[Cathryn]

My 1961 St. Joseph Daily Missal preface on page 1 says: " Needless to say, participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the greatest and most sublime act of religion. By it we assist at the Sacrifice of the Cross on Calvary which our Lord and Savior wrought for our redemption and salvation."