The Mass
Welcome to the page where we explore the Mass. This page explores the different parts of Mass and will help explain what the it is about. At the end of the page, there is an activity and video to complete and watch.
What is the Mass
The Catholic Mass is the highest form of worship and prayer in our faith. Mass is seen as the memorial of Christ’s Passion, Death and Resurrection and as Catholics, we can participate in this through the Mass.
the Mass is more than just our community coming together, but we are reinacting what Jesus did at the Last Supper
As Catholics, we believe that Jesus is truly present in the Eucharist. He is truly present at Mass
The Mass is split up into two main parts:
The liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Read below to find out more about the Celebration of Mass.
Why do we celebrate the Mass
Mass is celebrated for a few reasons. As Catholics we want to grow in our relationship with God and one of the ways we do this is by meeting Him at the Mass. The Mass provides us with Spiritual joy. Jesus commanded us to attend Mass, as at the Last Supper, Jesus said ‘Do this in memory of me’ (Luke 22:29).
We attend Mass to glorify God, to praise Him, thank Him and ask Him for help, or mercy.
We attend Mass to be sent out and Live the Gospel. the word Mass in Latin is “Missa’ which means ‘sent’, and at the end of Mass the priest encourages us to ‘go in peace’ so we live what we have received in the Mass.
How often is Mass celebrated
Mass is celebrated at Church every day, however, Sunday is the special day where we come together as a community to spritually feed ourselves, rest and reconnect with our families.
Sunday is a Holy Day of Obligation, which means that we have to attend Mass on Sunday’s.
Why?
Because it is the day that we set aside for God alone, as stated we do in the 10 Commandments.
Click here to see the mass times at St Benedict’s that you can attend with your parents
“The Sunday Eucharist is the foundation and confirmation of all Christian practise. For this reason the faithful are obliged to participate in the Eucharist on the days of obligation”
CCC 2181, 2182
There are different days of Obligation throughout the year.
These days include every Sunday (as mentioned above) and key events in the Life of Jesus such as Christmas, Easter and the Epiphany.
Videos and Activity
Below are two videos.
The one on the left explains the weight of the Mass and how valuable it is.
The second one on the right explains the two main parts of the Mass.
Watch them both and then complete the Activity.
Activity
Follow the link to the image of the Last Supper.
Have a look at the image and write down what you can see in it.
Here are a couple questions to help prompt you:
What do you see in the painting?
What is the painting of?
What is the first thing you notice in the painting?
Parents, use the document below to help your child and explain the aim of the activity.
Click below for the painting for the activity:
(Click on the image to make it bigger)