Mass (liturgy)

Mass is the term used of the celebration of the Eucharist in the Latin rites of the Roman Catholic Church. The word itself is derived from the phrase with which the liturgical celebration concludes in Latin, Ite, missa est. In this phrase, the word missa is usually explained as late Latin for classical Latin missio, so that the phrase would be literally translated as: "Go, it is the sending"; in more polite parlance: "You may go, this is the dismissal."

Related Topics:
Eucharist - Latin rite - Roman Catholic Church - Latin

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For the celebration of the Eucharist in Eastern Churches, including those in full communion with Rome, other terms, such as "The Divine Liturgy", are normally used. Western Churches not in full communion with the Roman Catholic Church also usually prefer terms other than "Mass", although it is used in some Anglican and Lutheran churches. For information on the theology of the Eucharist and on the eucharistic liturgy of other Christian Churches, the reader is referred to the article on the Eucharist.

Related Topics:
Full communion - Rome - Divine Liturgy - Anglican - Lutheran - Christian - Eucharist

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