How Often Do Eastern Catholics Receive Communion?

[De_Maria]

De_Maria:

The Catholic Encyclopedia is not an authoritative source.

From the link:

What is your authoritative source? Or any source?

Does the USCCB deny that the word “mass” comes from the word “massa” which is the ancient Hebrew for “unleavened bread”?

After the blessing, the deacon dismisses the people. In fact, the dismissal gives the liturgy its name. The word “Mass” comes from the Latin word, " Missa ." At one time, the people were dismissed with the words " Ite, missa est " (literally meaning “Go, she—meaning you, the Church—has been sent”). The word " Missa " is related to the word " missio ," the root of the English word “mission.” The liturgy does not simply come to an end. Those assembled are sent forth to bring the fruits of the Eucharist to the world.

The Bible and the fact that the Catholic Church does not deny that the Mass is derived from the “matzo” or unleavened bread which is used for the Eucharist.

 

[RyanBlack]

It is well established and widely accepted that “missa” comes from “missio.”

 

[babochka]

Does the USCCB deny that the word “mass” comes from

The Bible and the fact that the Catholic Church does not deny that the Mass is derived from the “matzo” or unleavened bread which is used for the Eucharist.

The Church generally does not speak officially and with authority on linguistic matters and just because the English translations of two words have similarities does not a connection make.

 

[RyanBlack]

And BTW, the word “matzo” is nowhere to be found in 1 Corinthians 5:8. However, the Greek term “azymes” is.

 

[JS_Cortez]

Also, if Mass came from Matzo, then the usage of the term would have been something used throughout Church history. However, it doesn’t begin to appear until Latin becomes the language of liturgy in the West. (Technically, when you read the Catechism, the Mass is referred to as the Divine Liturgy even for Roman Catholics. Roman Catholics use Mass as an accepted alternative. Many RC churches are bringing it back in the bulletins. I know the RC churches near me all talk about Sunday Liturgy without any EC influence on them.)

Further, if your read about the early Mass in the Roman Church, there’s some indication that leaveedn or unleavened bread for the Eucharist wasn’t an issue. There is many a letter about sending “loaves of bread” to be consecrated and people being given hunks of breads to take home for daily communion (which was to be guarded away from mice). The rule that the Latin Rite must use unleavened bread didn’t take effect for centuries (like many rules, really).

 

[De_Maria]

It’s the other way around. Missio comes from Missa.

Here’s something that perhaps you haven’t taken into account.

First, there are many Euphemisms for the Catholic Liturgy.

a. The Holy Eucharist. The Holy Eucharist is confected from unleavened bread, matzo.

b. The Christian Passover. The original Passover was performed by eating the Passover Lamb with matzo (unleavened bread) and bitter herbs. The Christian Passover is a participation in the sacrificial offering of unleavened bread (matzo) which has been transubstantiated into the Flesh of our Lord.

c. The Lamb’s Supper - ditto. The Lamb’s Supper consists of unleavened bread (matzo) which has been confected into the Holy Eucharist.

Do you see a pattern? The Eucharist, the Source and Summit of our faith, is also called the Mass. The focus of the Eucharist is the meal aspect when we eat the food that transforms.

Now, you want me to believe that the Mass, the most popular name that we have for the Eucharistic Liturgy, did not come from the focus that we have on the Eucharist. But from some vague idea that the Mass is named after the “dismissal”.

Have you ever heard anyone say, “we’re going to serve the Dismissal”? Have you ever heard anyone say, "we’re going to participate in the “shooting out” of the faithful? No.

Finally, the question which brought up this part of the discussion was, “Why is it wrong to call the Orthodox Liturgy the Mass?” If the word, “Mass” came from “Missio” it wouldn’t be wrong. Because the Orthodox have the same, exact, Mission.

But it is wrong because the Orthodox Liturgy does not include the matzo.

Now, you can believe the commonly accepted version of this explanation. But the truth is not a popularity contest.

It does not make sense that the Mass is named, not after the Divine Meal which is the source and summit of our faith. It does not make sense that the Mass is named after the dismissal of the people. I’ve never heard anyone say, “I’m going to the Dismissal”. Except Catechumens. They do go to the Dismissal, because they are dismissed right before the Mass. Right before the Liturgy of the Eucharist. And this is where the word “dismiss” came from. Because they are sent away when the Mass is at hand.

That’s my two cents.

 

[De_Maria]

You don’t see the link in Mass and Matzo?

 

[De_Maria]

It’s found in the Hebrew Old Testament. Remember that the Latin rite was persecuted until the 4th century. We don’t have a whole lot of Latin written testimony from that period.

 

[babochka]

You don’t see the link in Mass and Matzo?

I see similarities in the words, but not an actual link.

In Latin-based languages, the word is Missa, Misa or Messa.

But it is wrong because the Orthodox Liturgy does not include the matzo.

For the record, I know a large number of Orthodox and Eastern Catholics (usually Maronite and Chaldean) who colloquially use the term “Mass” for the Divine Liturgy. While it isn’t technically correct, I’m certainly not going to tell them that they’re wrong.

 

[ReaderT]

Others, like the Russians, require confession and extensive preparation before every reception of Holy Communion. Some recommend monthly confession and others recommended that confession be made, at a minimum, during each fasting period (4 times a year).

That’s true. Our priest says a “recent” confession, which varies a little from person to person. For me it’s about 3-4 weeks.

 

[JS_Cortez]

That’s true. Our priest says a “recent” confession, which varies a little from person to person. For me it’s about 3-4 weeks.

The Russian Parishes must be small. I can’t imagine my pastor remembering when each person went confession and what their individual ideal frequency is. (Or Russian priests have great memories. Also possible. Gift of the Holy Spirit, perhaps).

 

[dochawk]

Thus, the Apostles, all Jews, and most of the first Christians would have referred to the Eucharist as “Matzo”, unleavened bread.

The universal use of unleavened bread in the Roman Rite is far newer than the term “Mass” (or at least it’s latin equivalent) . . .

 

[ReaderT]

The Russian Parishes must be small. I can’t imagine my pastor remembering when each person went confession and what their individual ideal frequency is. (Or Russian priests have great memories. Also possible. Gift of the Holy Spirit, perhaps).

Being a Russian Orthodox in the Deep South “Bible Belt”, our parish is indeed small

 

[JS_Cortez]

In the Deep South? Now I assume your parish is you, the priest, and one very devout old woman.

 

[commenter]

Is there a written, or informal, rule for married Eastern Catholic or EO priests: that they abstain from marital relations for 24 hours prior to the Divine Liturgy?

 

[ReaderT]

Is there a written, or informal, rule for married Eastern Catholic or EO priests: that they abstain from marital relations for 24 hours prior to the Divine Liturgy?

For us it’s no marital relations from the night before, and it’s all communicants (not only priests)

 

[Margaret_Ann]

Yes, it’s in the rubrics that EC & EO priests must follow.

 

[De_Maria]

De_Maria:

Thus, the Apostles, all Jews, and most of the first Christians would have referred to the Eucharist as “Matzo”, unleavened bread.

The universal use of unleavened bread in the Roman Rite is far newer than the term “Mass” (or at least it’s latin equivalent) . . .

The “universal” use. There was a time when both were allowed, even in the Western Church. However, it is well established that Jesus Christ used
unleavened bread at the first Mass because it was a Passover meal wherein God had injunctioned that all leavening had to be purged from the house. Thus, it is also well established that this is the model most used in the Western Church from day 1.

Now, if anyone can prove that unleavened bread was never used in the
Early Church, that the 5000 years old custom established by God was
universally dropped for no reason, then you may have a point. Otherwise, I
doubt sincerely that the Jewish converts to the Catholic Church, which were
initially the majority, would have done away with this custom.

It is understandable that the Greek speaking Orthodox Church would have felt
comfortable changing this custom.

 

[Margaret_Ann]

The Greek word “artos” can mean either leavened or unleavened bread.

 

[dochawk]

Thus, it is also well established that this is the model most used in the Western Church from day 1.

No, the one does not of necessity flow from the second; that is a non-sequitur.

And as far as your grammatical campaign against history, the early practice is irrelevant to the linguistics in any event.