Liturgy or Mass?

[Elzee]

I’ve noticed that our pastor never refers to the ‘Mass’ as the ‘Mass’. He always calls it the ‘Liturgy’. (at least when I’ve heard him speak).

Is this common? Is there any significance to calling it ‘the Liturgy’ instead of ‘the Mass’?

I’ve made a very conscious effort this past year to say I’m ‘going to Mass’ instead of ‘going to church’ so I think that’s why I’ve started noticing this.

 

[Deacon_Ed]

The term “mass” derives from the seventh or eighth century at the earliest and comes from the Latin dismissal at the end of Mass. The term “liturgy” comes from a Greek word meaning “the work of the people” and applies not only to the Mass, but also the the Divine Liturgy/Quorbono, etc. of the East. It can also refer to any specific liturgical ritutal (such as benediction).

This is, therefore, a broad term that can encompass many things. It is the preferred term of scholars and liturgists and has become the more common term for referring to the Mass. Because it is a broad term, it is somewhat less precise than might otherwise be preferred.

Deacon Ed