The Early Christian Mass

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I’ve been wondering this for a while. I always wanted to know how the early Christians celebrated the Mass, especially how the Apostles celebrated it.

I love picturing St. Paul giving Mass, though I usually picture him giving the OF Mass, I would like to know how he actually gave Mass.

Does anyone know how the early Biblical Christians celebrated the Mass?
Are there any sources to look up?

Thanks.
 
SalesianSDB said:
I’ve been wondering this for a while. I always wanted to know how the early Christians celebrated the Mass, especially how the Apostles celebrated it.

I love picturing St. Paul giving Mass, though I usually picture him giving the OF Mass, I would like to know how he actually gave Mass.

Does anyone know how the early Biblical Christians celebrated the Mass?
Are there any sources to look up?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
There is a section in Vol. VII of the Ante Nicene Fathers in the back of book called ‘Early Liturgies’

There is a particular one called "The Divine Liturgy of James, the Holy Apostle and Brother of the Lord.
ccel.org/ccel/schaff/anf07.xii.ii.html

At times, there is a Hebraic sense in the prayers and also a mention of Jerusalem, so it might be one of earliest or at least partially the earliest liturgy of the Mass that we have.
 
CCC1345 As early as the second century we have the witness of St. Justin Martyr for the basic lines of the order of the Eucharistic celebration. They have stayed the same until our own day for all the great liturgical families. St. Justin wrote to the pagan emperor Antoninus Pius (138-161) around the year 155, explaining what Christians did:
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*On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.

The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.

When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers* for ourselves . . .and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: 'Amen.'

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.*
 
St. Justin wrote about how a mass worked and looked like in his day in his first apology, chapters 65-67.

The first apology was written around 150-155 AD, about 125 years after the death of Jesus.

This is probably not the earliest mass but maybe the most detailed early account I know of.
 
newadvent.org/fathers/0126.htm

The First Apology - Justin Marytr

Chapter 65. Administration of the sacraments

But we, after we have thus washed him who has been convinced and has assented to our teaching, bring him to the place where those who are called brethren are assembled, in order that we may offer hearty prayers in common for ourselves and for the baptized [illuminated] person, and for all others in every place, that we may be counted worthy, now that we have learned the truth, by our works also to be found good citizens and keepers of the commandments, so that we may be saved with an everlasting salvation. Having ended the prayers, we salute one another with a kiss.

There is then brought to the president of the brethren bread and a cup of wine mixed with water; and he taking them, gives praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Ghost, and offers thanks at considerable length for our being counted worthy to receive these things at His hands. And when he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all the people present express their assent by saying Amen. This word Amen answers in the Hebrew language to γένοιτο [so be it]. And when the president has given thanks, and all the people have expressed their assent, those who are called by us deacons give to each of those present to partake of the bread and wine mixed with water over which the thanksgiving was pronounced, and to those who are absent they carry away a portion.

Chapter 66. Of the Eucharist

And this food is called among us Εὐχαριστία [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined.

For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh.

For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, “This do in remembrance of Me, Luke 22:19 this is My body;” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood;” and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.

Chapter 67. Weekly worship of the Christians

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.

Chapter 68. Conclusion

And if these things seem to you to be reasonable and true, honour them; but if they seem nonsensical, despise them as nonsense, and do not decree death against those who have done no wrong, as you would against enemies.

For we forewarn you, that you shall not escape the coming judgment of God, if you continue in your injustice; and we ourselves will invite you to do that which is pleasing to God. And though from the letter of the greatest and most illustrious Emperor Adrian, your father, we could demand that you order judgment to be given as we have desired, yet we have made this appeal and explanation, not on the ground of Adrian’s decision, but because we know that what we ask is just. And we have subjoined the copy of Adrian’s epistle, that you may know that we are speaking truly about this. And the following is the copy:—
 
SalesianSDB said:
I’ve been wondering this for a while. I always wanted to know how the early Christians celebrated the Mass, especially how the Apostles celebrated it.

I love picturing St. Paul giving Mass, though I usually picture him giving the OF Mass, I would like to know how he actually gave Mass.

Does anyone know how the early Biblical Christians celebrated the Mass?
Are there any sources to look up?

Thanks.
Click to expand...
The Didache is the closing thing we have.
for as little as i know.
 
Thank you for the quotes and references above.

I wonder when the Mass started to become ceremonial, with the processions, bowing, incense and so on. I imagine that the Coptic churches would have preserved the ceremonial aspects of the early phases of the ceremonial Mass.
 
roveau said:
Thank you for the quotes and references above.

I wonder when the Mass started to become ceremonial, with the processions, bowing, incense and so on. I imagine that the Coptic churches would have preserved the ceremonial aspects of the early phases of the ceremonial Mass.
Click to expand...
It’s hard to tell. St. Justin’s account was the earliest written account of a mass, but it must have been going on before that since it sounded pretty well organized and ordered at the time of his account.

Bits and pieces of the mass are spread throughout the NT and some even in the OT, but St. Justin’s account was the earliest account of a Mass that is similar to ours today.

We know that it evovled somewhere between 30AD(when Jesus died) to 155AD (latest estimate of when St. Justin observed Mass).

It could be that Mass was started by John the Apostle, but I don’t know that there is any proof. However, he lived long enough that he could have been the origin of the Mass. Given that John was the most prolific writer of Apostles and the longest lived, it could be him that started it. OTOH, it very well could have been the generation of priests that came after him.

I don’t think there is any concrete evidence that says exactly where, when or from who (besides God) Mass came.
 
The earliest Christians, remember, continued to participate in the synagogue worship on the Sabbath, and then gathered early in the morning on the first day of the week (our Sunday) for the “breaking of the bread,” that is, the Eucharist.

As one synagogue after another banned the Christians from attending, the synagogue service (which consisted in prayer, Scripture readings, and explication of the readings) was appended to the Eucharistic service. That’s why our Mass has two distinct parts - Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist - each of which has a greeting, an opening prayer, and a penitential rite.

Rituals from the synagogue service and the Temple sacrificial rites were adapted into the Mass, although obviously in simpler form in the early days when the Eucharist was celebrated in believer’s homes. It is unlikely that the liturgy St. Paul celebrated at Troas (in which Eutychus fell asleep and tumbled out the window-Acts 20) looked very much like your local parish Mass - or the Tridentine rite, either. But processions, incense, bowings and prostrations, raised hands and blessings, etc, all have precedents in the Jewish liturgy.

Josef Jungmann’s The Mass is an excellent history of the liturgy. More accessible, perhaps, is Robert Cabie’s History of the Mass.
 
NHInsider said:
The earliest Christians, remember, continued to participate in the synagogue worship on the Sabbath, and then gathered early in the morning on the first day of the week (our Sunday) for the “breaking of the bread,” that is, the Eucharist.

As one synagogue after another banned the Christians from attending, the synagogue service (which consisted in prayer, Scripture readings, and explication of the readings) was appended to the Eucharistic service. That’s why our Mass has two distinct parts - Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist - each of which has a greeting, an opening prayer, and a penitential rite.

Rituals from the synagogue service and the Temple sacrificial rites were adapted into the Mass, although obviously in simpler form in the early days when the Eucharist was celebrated in believer’s homes. It is unlikely that the liturgy St. Paul celebrated at Troas (in which Eutychus fell asleep and tumbled out the window-Acts 20) looked very much like your local parish Mass - or the Tridentine rite, either. But processions, incense, bowings and prostrations, raised hands and blessings, etc, all have precedents in the Jewish liturgy.

Josef Jungmann’s The Mass is an excellent history of the liturgy. More accessible, perhaps, is Robert Cabie’s History of the Mass.
Click to expand...
I’m guessing that after all the Christians were kicked out of the synagogues, Mass was celibrated in houses… right? So who’s houses then? The priest’s?
 
Eilrahc said:
I’m guessing that after all the Christians were kicked out of the synagogues, Mass was celibrated in houses… right? So who’s houses then? The priest’s?
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Yes, or the Bishops’

This had to continue for quite a while, especially as the persecutions started first by the Jewish Authorities and later by the Romans. Once legalized in 318, Christians started establishing dedicated open houses of worship apart from anyone’s domicile
 
Lion_of_Narnia said:
Yes, or the Bishops’

This had to continue for quite a while, especially as the persecutions started first by the Jewish Authorities and later by the Romans. Once legalized in 318, Christians started establishing dedicated open houses of worship apart from anyone’s domicile
Click to expand...
They also met in the house of Prisca and Aquila (Rom. 16:3), and in a woman’s house named Nympha (Col. 4:15), also Apphia our sister, and Archippus our comrade in arms, and the church that meets in your house (Philemon 2).
 
Eilrahc said:
I’m guessing that after all the Christians were kicked out of the synagogues, Mass was celibrated in houses… right? So who’s houses then? The priest’s?
Click to expand...
Depends. People would have met in any possible space they could, depending on the area and the situation. Sometimes they would have held the Eucharist in houses, sometimes at the catacombs or some other area.

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.
 
roveau said:
Thank you for the quotes and references above.

I wonder when the Mass started to become ceremonial, with the processions, bowing, incense and so on. I imagine that the Coptic churches would have preserved the ceremonial aspects of the early phases of the ceremonial Mass.
Click to expand...
I’m assuming that many of the ceremonials came around after Christians became free to worship in public. And even then, there were varying degrees of ‘smells and bells’: the liturgy at Constantinople, for example, had a lot of grandm ceremonial (partly because that was the imperial capital and the Hagia Sophia was a very big church) while the liturgy of Rome, true to Roman character, was originally rather plain and simple when compared to other liturgies, one might even say ‘drab’: for one, incense was used only during the processions.

All the frills of the later Roman Mass were inherited from the Gallican rites during the time of Charlemagne. What happened was that the Franks decided to adopt Roman liturgy and chant and made it the standard rite in their territories, thereby displacing the different rites used in Gaul (modern France). Somewhere along the way though the Roman rite as practiced in Gaul absorbed elements of these former liturgies; eventually, the hybrid Gallo-Roman liturgy and music (‘Gregorian’ chant) was also imported to Rome, supplanted its parent.
 
Wow! It really makes one feel connected to the saints. Really great stuff!! :highprayer:
 
SalesianSDB said:
I’ve been wondering this for a while. I always wanted to know how the early Christians celebrated the Mass, especially how the Apostles celebrated it.

I love picturing St. Paul giving Mass, though I usually picture him giving the OF Mass, I would like to know how he actually gave Mass.

Does anyone know how the early Biblical Christians celebrated the Mass?
Are there any sources to look up?
Click to expand...
Yes, the Mass is based on the Liturgy of St. James, which is still celebrated in many of the Eastern Catholic churches so you can go to one and actually participate in it.

Also there is a great book, The Mass of the Early Christians by Mike Aquilina that gives great detail and historical references. You can get it here: shop.catholic.com/the-mass-of-the-early-christians.html
 
SalesianSDB

The best book I have ever read on this topic was written in 1906, but there are some updated versions now. It is available at amazon.

How Christ Said the First Mass

by Rev. James Meagher

Blessing to you
 
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