Origin & Derivation Of The Word "mass"

[Exporter]

I know the term “Mass” was first used in about the year 600. Does anyone know the origin and derivation of this word?

Below is an exerpt from the Catholic Encyclopedia.

The word Mass (missa) first established itself as the general designation for the Eucharistic Sacrifice in the West after the time of Pope Gregory the Great (d. 604), the early Church having used the expression the “breaking of bread” (fractio panis) or “liturgy” (Acts 13:2, leitourgountes); the Greek Church has employed the latter name for almost sixteen centuries. There were current in the early days of Christianity other terms;

 

[Deacon_Ed]

The general consensus is that the word “Mass” derives form the Latin dismissal at the end of Mass – Ite, Missa est.

Deacon Ed

 

[usqueadmortem]

Yeah, Ite Missa Est.

Usque.

 

[PJR]

translated, “Go, it is sent.” and quoting Scott Hahn;

“But the ancients understood that the Mass was a sending-forth. That last line is not so much a dismissal as a commissioning. We have united ourselves to Christ’s sacrifice. We leave Mass now in order to live the mystery, the sacrifice, we have just celebrated, through the splendor of ordinary life in the home and in the world.”

from The Lamb’s Supper, The Mass as Heaven on Earth

usqueadmortem:

Yeah, Ite Missa Est.

Usque.

 

[usqueadmortem]

Actually, “go, it is finished”.

Usque

 

[PJR]

AAh, so you are right. I bow before thee, you must have studied harder.

Actually, “go, it is finished”.

Usque

 

[Exporter]

These posts are great. Thank You.:tiphat:

 

[PJR]

The book by Mike Aquilina, The Mass of the Early Christians, gives some great history of this topic. I am about 1/2 thru it. It’s good.