Quote of Early Church Father about Mass

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I almost shouted out loud when I saw these pages actually load. Is that bad? šŸ˜ƒ

Anyway, maybe you could all help me. Iā€™m trying to get my mother back into The Church. At one of my RCIA classes not too long ago a woman read a quote from an ECF where the father mentioned, near the end, what Christians did at their services. If I remember correctly the man was possibly a bishop, writing to a Roman emperor against those who claimed Christians were cannabals and held orgies (because of the ā€˜kiss of peaceā€™ ). Near the end of the letter he says something along the lines of ā€œperhaps I should tell you just what we do at our meetingsā€ and then gives an account, which matches up almost exactly with our modern mass (differences being something along the lines of the when the offering was taken and the fact that we shake hands now, not kiss). Does anyone know what Iā€™m talking about? Or have any documents about the mass in early Christianity? Thanks!
 
Rawb said:
I almost shouted out loud when I saw these pages actually load. Is that bad? šŸ˜ƒ

Anyway, maybe you could all help me. Iā€™m trying to get my mother back into The Church. At one of my RCIA classes not too long ago a woman read a quote from an ECF where the father mentioned, near the end, what Christians did at their services. If I remember correctly the man was possibly a bishop, writing to a Roman emperor against those who claimed Christians were cannabals and held orgies (because of the ā€˜kiss of peaceā€™ ). Near the end of the letter he says something along the lines of ā€œperhaps I should tell you just what we do at our meetingsā€ and then gives an account, which matches up almost exactly with our modern mass (differences being something along the lines of the when the offering was taken and the fact that we shake hands now, not kiss). Does anyone know what Iā€™m talking about? Or have any documents about the mass in early Christianity? Thanks!
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It is probably Justin Martyrā€™s quote from his first apology which was written to the Roman senate around 140AD to defend the faith. It matches pretty much exactly with the Catholic mass.
67
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And we afterwards continually remind each other of these things. And the wealthy among us help the needy; and we always keep together; and for all things wherewith we are supplied, we bless the Maker of all through His Son Jesus Christ, and through the Holy Ghost. And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. And they who are well to do, and willing, give what each thinks fit; and what is collected is deposited with the president, who succours the orphans and widows and those who, through sickness or any other cause, are in want, and those who are in bonds and the strangers sojourning among us, and in a word takes care of all who are in need. But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration. **(Ch. 67) **
 
Thanks to everyone who responded, I think Justin Martyr is what I was looking for. Thanks again!
 
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