The Early Christian Mass

[bmonk]

The earliest description of the core of the Mass is that of Paul in 1 Cor 11:17-34. Apparently these Christians would gather for a sort of supper, a full meal, in which they recounted the tradition. Paul says that in fact their feasts are causing not true communion, but disunion–and so he cuts out the feasting part, and keeps only the essential: the institution narrative and the sharing of the Body and Blood.

Next we get descriptions such as those of the Didache and Justin Martyr, which describe a sort of union of the Synagogue service (Liturgy of the Word) and the Lord’s Supper (Liturgy of the Eucharist)–these are the heart of the Mass ever since.

 

[Eilrahc]

BTW just above St. Peter’s tomb (an earthen grave) at the Vatican there was actually this walled courtyard of sorts furnished with a funeral monument. It was located within the huge complex of tombs and mausoleums on the hill, and thus would have been inconspicuous. There’s a possibility that Roman Christians gathered there.

The early Christians were so similar to us, that they even had a Vatican City.