Mass as a memorial

Q. I’d like to comment on your “anamnesis” article, if I may. The word may indeed always be used in a “sacrificial” context, but this in no way makes communion / the Lord’s Supper –a SACRIFICE. The reason for the “sacrificial” context is simply because Jesus wanted us to “remember” Him by looking BACK [...]

Re-sacrificing Jesus?

Q. Are there any theological differences between the old mass and the new mass of 1970?I grew up in the church after Vatican Two so I do not know much about the old tridentine latin mass.
A. There are no theological differences between the old Latin mass and the new one. None. The dogmas and [...]

Latin is a Dead Language

Q.What is the point of saying mass in Latin? It is a dead language.
A.Yes, Latin is a dead language and that is precisely why it is so useful. The meaning of the words do not change as they do in living languages. Because of this, what the Church teaches and prays remains constant and unchanging, [...]

Motu Proprio-Summorum Pontificum

Q. Why has Pope Benedict XVI given all priests the freedom to say Mass in Latin?
A. To re-focus the Church on the documents of Vatican II. What the Motu Proprio did was give permission for every priest to say mass according to the 1962 Rite. Up until now it was up to the local bishop [...]

The Latin Mass

If you would like to read an interesting perspective on the recent Motu Proprio which gives any priest the freedom to say mass according to the 1962 Tridentine liturgy click HERE.
Some are cheering. Some are complaining. But according to this commentary it is the youth and young families that currently seek out the Latin Mass.

Latin Mass

For commentary on the recent liberalization of the Latin Mass according to Pope John XXIII click HERE

ANAMNESIS

Q. Jesus simply asks us to to remember Him in our celebration of the last supper/communion. Where does the Catholic Church get the idea of calling the mass a sacrifice?
A. The Greek word ANAMNESIS is the Greek word that translates into English as REMEMBER. It would seem to the casual reader of the Gospels that [...]

What Sacrifice do the Prayers Refer to?

Q. A protestant friend once asked me to explain the Eucharistic Prayers with all these references to SACRIFICE.
SUCH AS: What does. Pray my sisters and brothers that OUR SACRIFICE may be acceptable to God the almighty father.
A. This is the sacrifice of Christ which we offer to God through the priest. As always we are [...]

Why is the Mass a Sacrifice?

Q. Why do all the Protestant Churches have NO reference to Sacrifice in their Eucharistic Liturgies?
A. Protestants have no reference to “sacrifice” in their services (most are not liturgical) because of the NEW way they began to interpret communion. They rejected the Catholic theology of Eucharistic Communion. Some like Anglicans and Lutherans retained most [...]

Sacrifice of the Mass

Q. Scripture clearly says that “Christ was sacrificed once”. And yet the Catholic Church says their mass is a sacrifice. We know this is done over and over at their masses all over the world, every day. Thousands of sacrifices a day. Why do Catholics call the mass a sacrifice when this so obviously [...]