Introduction
Catholics acknowledge the Eucharistic presence of Jesus in their lives as the source and the pinnacle of their faith, yet they may take it for granted. They pray through specific rituals, but words and gestures may be meaningless when one simply goes through the movements without much thought. However, when people resort to the glorious rituals of the Mass and the Sacraments to guide their practice, it can lead them to a more profound contact with Christ.
The Mass and The Sacraments
When it comes to the Sunday Mass, Catholics are supposed to attend it every Sunday and on Holy Days of Obligation. Examples of such days are the Ascension, the Assumption, the Immaculate Conception, All Saints’ Day and Christmas. Montecel (2020) notes that Catholics are supposed to attend Mass but are not obligated to: some people may find God through other places and experiences. Moreover, people can be granted a dispensation from attending the Mass, which has been the case during the tougher times of the coronavirus pandemic. Even though now some churches have begun to open, somewhere, the dispensation is still in effect.
In terms of the structure of the Mass, it can be divided into three major parts. The Mass and the Sacraments (n.d.) states that these parts are Introductory Rites, Liturgy of the Word, and Liturgy of the Eucharist. During the Introductory Rites, people offer their prayers and prepare to celebrate the Eucharist, and these include Greeting, Opening Prayer, Gloria, Kyrie Eleison, and Penitential Rite. Liturgy of the Word is people hearing about God’s salvation plan, and it includes biblical readings of God’s word from the Testaments, gospel, homily, and creed. Finally, there is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, which is the celebration of the presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. It consists of three parts: during the Offertory, people bring gifts to the altar; during the Eucharistic Prayer, people offer their gifts to God; and during the Communion Rite, people receive the gifts from God, his Body and Blood.
Many believe that the Mass can be considered a sacrament, which, in catholic use, is the Eucharist’s consecrated element. According to The Mass and the Sacraments (n.d.), a sacrament is simply a visible sign of an invisible grace. Grey (2016) notes that the Sacramental Principle holds that God is present to all people who respond to his grace through their way of ordinary life. However, in the Catholic Church, there are seven ‘official’ Sacraments, which are the sacred symbols mediating God’s grace in Jesus with an intensified effect. The Sacraments themselves are categorized into three groups: Initiation, which includes Baptism, Confirmation, and Eucharist; Healing, which includes Penance and Anointing of the Sick; and Service, which includes Marriage and Holy Orders.
Unfortunately, the Mass and the Sacraments are perceived as exclusive by many due to a number of long-standing traditions and prejudices. For one, the Sacraments cannot be performed by women: they cannot be ordained, and, as per Grey (2016), this is a major unjustness that needs to be addressed. Moreover, there is still racism within the Catholic Church: as per The Mass and the Sacraments (n.d.), only three major Catholic documents are on racism, and the Church’s leadership does not pay enough attention to the problem. In addition to that, Montecel (2020) speaks about how LGBT people still cannot feel loved and accepted within the catholic community. All of these need to be talked about and raised awareness of since such limitations prevent many from communicating with God in a meaningful way.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Mass and the Sacraments are two of the central elements of the catholic experience. The Mass is a rite that gives one an opportunity to connect to God alongside like-minded people, whereas the Sacraments are the channels of God’s grace in people’s ordinary lives. However, not everyone gets to enjoy these blessings, as there is still a lot of prejudice within the Catholic tradition, and it needs to be addressed so that no one feels excluded.
References
Grey, M. (2016). The ordination of women in the Catholic Church? New considerations.International Studies in Catholic Education, 8(2), 216-230. Web.
Montecel, X. M. (2020). Pope’s words on civil unions mean much, but LGBT Catholics deserve more by Xavier M. Montecel. Today’s American Catholic. Web.
The Mass and the Sacraments. (n.d.). Online Class Video Lecture. Web.