Went to Mass this morning, have questions

[spoiltvictorian]

Disclaimer: the priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand. I might not have heard everything correctly.

The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. But there he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.” Explanation?

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

Unless I missed something, there were no words of institution?

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

And finally, what’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn? At least it was a capella.

What a great way it must be to start the day, though. Will go again!

 

[CHESTERTONRULES]

Disclaimer: the priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand. I might not have heard everything correctly.

The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. But there he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.” Explanation?

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

Unless I missed something, there were no words of institution?

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

And finally, what’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn? At least it was a capella.

What a great way it must be to start the day, though. Will go again!

Regarding what the sacrament is called:

1330 The memorial of the Lord’s Passion and Resurrection.

The Holy Sacrifice, because it makes present the one sacrifice of Christ the Savior and includes the Church’s offering. The terms holy sacrifice of the Mass, “sacrifice of praise,” spiritual sacrifice, pure and holy sacrifice are also used,150 since it completes and surpasses all the sacrifices of the Old Covenant.

The sacrificial memorial of Christ and of his Body, the Church

1362 The Eucharist is the memorial of Christ’s Passover, the making present and the sacramental offering of his unique sacrifice, in the liturgy of the Church which is his Body. In all the Eucharistic Prayers we find after the words of institution a prayer called the anamnesis or memorial.

1363 In the sense of Sacred Scripture the memorial is not merely the recollection of past events but the proclamation of the mighty works wrought by God for men.184 In the liturgical celebration of these events, they become in a certain way present and real. This is how Israel understands its liberation from Egypt: every time Passover is celebrated, the Exodus events are made present to the memory of believers so that they may conform their lives to them.

1364 In the New Testament, the memorial takes on new meaning. When the Church celebrates the Eucharist, **she commemorates Christ’s Passover, and it is made present the sacrifice Christ offered once for all on the cross remains ever present.**185 "As often as the sacrifice of the Cross by which ‘Christ our Pasch has been sacrificed’ is celebrated on the altar, the work of our redemption is carried out."186

1366 The Eucharist is thus a sacrifice because it re-presents (makes present) the sacrifice of the cross, because it is its memorial and because it applies its fruit:

[Christ], our Lord and God, was once and for all to offer himself to God the Father by his death on the altar of the cross, to accomplish there an everlasting redemption. But because his priesthood was not to end with his death, at the Last Supper “on the night when he was betrayed,” [he wanted] to leave to his beloved spouse the Church a visible sacrifice (as the nature of man demands) by which the bloody sacrifice which he was to accomplish once for all on the cross would be re-presented, its memory perpetuated until the end of the world, and its salutary power be applied to the forgiveness of the sins we daily commit.189

Regarding absolution. Only mortal sins must be absolved by a priest before receiving communion, I believe.

I’m glad you enjoyed the mass!

 

[buffalo]

Here is something that may help:

The Mass: A Biblical Prayer

 

[Eucharisted]

You can always ask a priest questions

 

[spoiltvictorian]

You can always ask a priest questions

I may do that, but I thought I would ask all of you first. English is definitely not his first language and since the church is attached to the school, he is probably very busy.

 

[Watchman]

• The priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand.
• The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all.
• There he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.”
• There was confession but no absolution.
• There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.
• The OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize.
• Where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?
• There were no words of institution?
• People crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?
• What’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn?

Other than that, though, what’d you think?

 

[FCEGM]

Disclaimer: the priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand. I might not have heard everything correctly.

The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. But there he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.” Explanation?

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

Unless I missed something, there were no words of institution?

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

And finally, what’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn? At least it was a capella.

What a great way it must be to start the day, though. Will go again!

Good! Regarding Confession, within each Mass is a penitential rite which is sufficient for those without mortal sin. If they are there for a daily mass you’ve met folks who most likely take their faith very seriously - who knows, the whole assembly might have gone to Confession last Saturday.

 

[RebeccaJ]

Disclaimer: the priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand. I might not have heard everything correctly.

That was my experience at the first Mass I went to. It was in a very echo’y Cathedral. I learned to sit closer to the speaker.

The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. But there he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.” Explanation?

It is the same Sacrifice.

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

Three types of confession, the one you are thinking of is individual, with a priest. As well, at every Mass we confess that we have sinned. There is no absolution at this confession.

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

What of the Gospel reading, was it the same? I don’t know the Lutheran schedule.

Unless I missed something, there were no words of institution?

There always is, you must have missed it.

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

This isn’t the “normal”, or ritualistic thing to do. Just people doing what people do.

And finally, what’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn? At least it was a capella.

What was it? Every parish has different music. Some parishes have astounding choirs, others, eh, very sad. Try a different parish, and you’ll see differences in more than just the music. (The liturgy is always the same.)

What a great way it must be to start the day, though. Will go again!

Cool. What did you like?

 

[spoiltvictorian]

What was it? Every parish has different music. Some parishes have astounding choirs, others, eh, very sad. Try a different parish, and you’ll see differences in more than just the music. (The liturgy is always the same.)

“Seek Ye First.” Our Lutheran church sings almost the whole liturgy, does it very correctly and has some excellent choristers and soloists, so it was a hard shift. I do understand it’s the preference of the individual church. And the building is modern and ugly, so it follows the music would be ugly too. Architecturally the building doesn’t do much to draw one to contemplate better things.

What I liked:
-the prayers before the service started including the prayers to saints for intercession
-kneeling during the prayer - the body should pray as well as the mind
-the reverence for Christ’s Body and Blood - everyone knelt
-kneeling when entering the sanctuary
-and all the things the Catholic liturgy shares with the Lutheran liturgy. There were very many.

 

[RebeccaJ]

“Seek Ye First.” Our Lutheran church sings almost the whole liturgy, does it very correctly and has some excellent choristers and soloists, so it was a hard shift. I do understand it’s the preference of the individual church. And the building is modern and ugly, so it follows the music would be ugly too. Architecturally the building doesn’t do much to draw one to contemplate better things.

Oh! So that is why one parish I go to has such sad music. The building is sad! All along I thought we just sucked at singing.

Yeah, try different parishes. I like going to our Cathedral, the 11AM Mass is more formal. Choirs, cantors, BIG organ, lots of people, incense, Latin, etc. Every now and then a child from the children’s choir is the cantor. Holy smoke, those kids really add to the worship.

What I liked:
-the prayers before the service started including the prayers to saints for intercession
-kneeling during the prayer - the body should pray as well as the mind
-the reverence for Christ’s Body and Blood - everyone knelt
-kneeling when entering the sanctuary
-and all the things the Catholic liturgy shares with the Lutheran liturgy. There were very many.

I like all those things too.

 

[promethius]

Disclaimer: the priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand. I might not have heard everything correctly.

The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. But there he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.” Explanation?

while some explanations of the Final Sacrifice have been made, it is also important to note that the unleavened bread and the wine are the work of human hands offered up to God in order to carry out the sacrament, and that we hope God finds our offering sufficient to enact transubstantiation. I think you’re confusing what “sacrifice” is being referenced here. Otherwise, the Catholic church recognizes the eternal nature of Christ’s Sacrifice. Yes, it was a “one time” event, but that event stretches backwards and forwards to eternity for the salvation of man. When we pray that God accept the Sacrifice of His Son, we enjoin the christians throughout history who have prayed that God accept that same SINGLE sacrifice in remittance of death for our sins.

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

here i think you are confusing a prayer offered during the mass “I confess to you, almighty God, and to you my brothers and sisters, that I have sinned in my thoughts and in my words, in what i have done and what i have failed to do…” with the actual sacrament of reconciliation. Confession does not occur during mass, and is only allowed to be enacted for large groups in cases of extreme urgency pending death or other restriction from sacramental absolution in the near future. It is one thing to admit we are sinners during mass, it is another thing to enact the sacrament.

Venial sins do not disqualify one from participation in the sacrament of the Eucharist. As the Bible notes, there are sins which kill and sins which do not. Those sins which do not leave us in sufficient state of sanctifying grace to be open to receive the Grace of the sacraments. In other words, confession before mass is not ALWAYS necessary in order to receive communion. One should note that the sacrament of the Eucharist includes forgiveness of venial sins.

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

yes. The reading schedule for sundays and weekdays is different. Furthermore, we’re not BOUND to follow the same reading schedule since we have 7 books your church does not recognize which we must ALSO read through.

Unless I missed something, there were no words of institution?

forgive my ignorance here, what do you mean by words of institution?

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

seen incorrectly (or DONE incorrectly by the laity). the sign of the cross is always made left to right. is it possible the people were facing away from you on the way in (so that you saw left to right with their left to right) and facing towards you on the way out (so that you saw right to left when they were actually moving from left to right)?

And finally, what’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn? At least it was a capella.

don’t ask me. I can’t stand the music played at our local chapel so I drive to the cathedral for mass.

What a great way it must be to start the day, though. Will go again!

by all means please do and feel free to ask more! God bless, friend.

 

[Peter_J]

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

The official rule hasn’t changed: it is and has always been that you don’t have to go to confession first unless you’ve committed a mortal sin …

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

For weekday masses, we follow a 2-year cycle. Also, it’s a gospel reading and one reading from either the OT or the epistles.

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

There are very few Catholics in the U.S.A. who cross themselves right-to-left. (Less than 1%, I think.) Perhaps you didn’t see “right”.

Hope that helps.

 

[Dan86]

The sacrifice on the Cross occurred only once, but it is offered again and again.

 

[ralphinal]

Disclaimer: the priest had a really thick accent and was hard to understand. I might not have heard everything correctly.

The priest offered Christ up as a sacrifice during Communion. I thought Catholics believe Christ’s sacrifice was once for all. But there he was, saying things to the effect of “Lord, be pleased with this sacrifice.” Explanation?

Once and for all is correct. However, the nature of the Mass makes it a part of that once and for all event.

Unless I missed something there was confession but no absolution. How then is it safe for anyone to receive Communion? There were about 40 people there, and they can’t have all been at confession that morning.

The penetential rite has to do more with reminding us that we are sinners. Mortal sins are not forgiven at that time in the mass (as you noted, no absolution). We cannot judge who should and should not go to communion, but there are probably some at every mass.

I always thought the Lutherans and Catholics followed the same three-year reading schedule. But the OT was from Sirach which we don’t recognize. And where was the epistle reading? Is that Sunday only?

The Church uses two schedules, one for weekdays and one for Holy Days. Epistle readings can be omitted on weekday mass

Unless I missed something, there were no words of institution?

Also, it seemed like people crossed themselves left-to-right when entering, but right-to-left otherwise. Did I see that right?

You missed it and probably did not see it right, unless some of them have created a new way of doing things

And finally, what’s with the 1970s praise & worship song for the closing hymn? At least it was a capella.

What a great way it must be to start the day, though. Will go again!

Hippies. That is all that is.

Personally, I think every non-Catholic should use a daily mass as the first trip into the river. It is shorter and less crowded, and usually it is easier to ask the priest things afterwards.