Using Original Customs To Revitalize Worship Today

The following is the conclusion of St. Justin’s description of the Mass as celebrated in Rome around A.D. 150:

“…on that day which is called after the sun, all who are in the towns and in the country gather together for a communal celebration.  And then the memoirs of the Apostles or the writings of the Prophets are read, as long as time permits.  After the reader has finished his task, the one presiding gives an address, urgently admonishing his hearers to practice these beautiful teachings in their lives.  Then all stand up together and recite prayers.  After the end of the prayers, as has already been remarked above, the bread and wine mixed with water are brought, and the president offers up prayers and thanksgivings, as much as in him lies.  The people chime in with an Amen.  Then takes place the distribution, to all attending, of the things over which the thanksgiving had been spoken, and the deacons bring a portion to the absent.  Besides, those who are well-to-do give whatever they will.  What is gathered is deposited with the one presiding, who therewith helps orphans and widows….”

St. Justin’s description of the Mass is a good example of “Ressourcement” or “going back to the Church’s ancient storehouse to retrieve the spirit imbued within them”.   The hope was that the original customs had the power to revitalize our worship today. 

Here are several customs from St. Justin’s description now incorporated into our Mass today: 

1) Baptism was celebrated during Eucharist, showing its connection to being initiated into the visible Body of Christ who gathers to worship God on the day of Jesus’ Resurrection (many of us may remember when baptism was celebrated privately on Sunday afternoon – sometimes on the day of birth due to infant mortality.  My mother was not present at my baptism 11 days after my birth because mothers remained in the hospital for 1 week and then at home in bed for another week);

2) the importance of the Scripture readings (some of us remember that we did not commit a “mortal sin” as long as we arrived by the Offertory.  The importance of God’s Word was not emphasized!);

3) the homily encouraged Christians regarding how to live out the Scripture readings in daily life (in my childhood, homilies were “sermons” explaining Church doctrines.  Rarely were the Scriptures mentioned in the sermons);

4) the preacher spoke as long as he wanted (not so today – 7-8 minutes is considered the maximum which is the time from one TV episode until commercials!  My father (born in 1908) said that if a priest didn’t preach for  a half-hour, people thought he wasn’t worthy of a salary!);

5) I never heard any “Prayers of the Faithful” or “General Intercessions” except on Good Friday (Intercessions are now a standard part of every Mass expressing our priestly ministry to pray for the Church and world);

6) those who could contribute did so (since large parish campuses did not need to be maintained, the money/food was given to the poor; we who dine with the Lord must care for the needy);

7) community members presented the bread and wine, which represented the offering of their lives to God (although many people attend weekend Masses, the ushers are the ones who present the money, bread and wine; not a good practice because these are not their gifts);

8) Both the Body and Blood of Christ was consumed (discontinued between 1000-1300);

9) Deacons took Communion to absent members [Christians also took home the blessed bread for daily consumption since Mass was celebrated only on Sundays; it was also taken by the baptized lay members (not just deacons)]. 

Father Sauer continues his series on the Mass in the June 3 issue of The Message.