About the Mass vol 2: New Translation: Section 4 Part 1 Introductory Rite.

We have now reached Section 4 of 8 in this series 'About the Mass'. If you have missed the previous posts, why not take a look in the Sacraments category, as although each post is complete in itself, I invite you on the 12 month journey to know and love the Mass.

In Section  4, called the Introductory Rite, I  will discuss the significance of the Greeting, Penitential Rite, Gloria and Opening Prayer (Collect) and the differences in the texts of the New Translation of the Mass. Let us commence with the Greeting.

‘GREETING’.

 

Mass begins with the Cross-Bearer, Altar Servers, Commentators/Lectors, Extraordinary Ministers of the Eucharist and the celebrant (priest who will preside at Mass) processing down the aisle, while either a Processional Hymn or Entrance Antiphon is sung or said.  When a Commentator is present, he/she usually provides an introduction before the Procession commences. It is a wonderful opportunity to listen carefully to these introductory comments, participate in the Processional Hymn or Entrance Antiphon as fully as possible because each help to focus our awareness on the themes of the Mass and draw us to God.

When the celebrant reaches the Sanctuary, he genuflects to the Tabernacle as a mark of reverence to Christ, then, when he reaches the altar, (originally a flat-topped marble block for offerings to Deity) he kisses it as a sign of reverence to Christ as His sacrifice on Calvary is made present to us.  Engraved in the marble altar are five crosses, which represent the five wounds of Christ.  In every altar, there are relics of saints placed in it.  The altar cloth is usually white, but may also be an appropriate liturgical colour.

Then when he approaches the celebrant’s chair (usually a different but comfortable style of chair-not for the priest’s comfort but to represent Christ in our midst), he gives the greeting.  He used to greet the congregation with the Sign of the Cross and the one of the greetings such as:

'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all’ or

‘The Lord be with you’.  We reply ‘And also with you’.

With the new Translation of the Mass, he now greets the congregation with one of the greetings such as:

'The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the  communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all’

or ‘’Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ’’

or “‘the Lord be with you.’’

Let us examine these greetings:
The first greeting has a change of only one word- from fellowship to communion.  Communion of course means in unity, so with this greeting, it expresses more effectively the equality of Father, Son and Holy Spirit- three persons One God. This greeting is based on the final words of St Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians chapter 13:vs 13 (Cor 13:13).  

The second greeting is also taken from scripture- Romans chapter 1:verse 7(Rm 1:7)  and from the first letter of St Paul to the Corinthians chapter 1  verse 3 ( I Corinthians 1:3).

The third greeting appears in scripture 4 times as a greeting or encouragement namely: in the book of Judges chapter 6:12, Ruth 2:4, 2 Chronicles 15:2 and Luke 1:28

The reply we now use “ and with your spirit” needs some investigation also. It is

1.  a Scripture based reply. It is inspired by 2 Timothy 4:22, Galatians 6:18, Philippians 4:23 and Philemon 25. In almost every case, St Paul addresses  the words to the Christian community.

2. a closer translation of the Latin ‘’Et cum spiritu tuo’’.

3. a closer match to the response that already exists in most other major languages including Spanish, French, Italian and German.

4. richer since its purpose is not just to say hello or good morning. It is meant to remind us that (a) we are entering into the sacramental realm and (b) remind us of our responsibilities during this time we will spend in prayer.

The two parts of the greeting given by both the priest and the people express a desire that the Lord be present to the spirit of the entire community. Based on Paul’s letters, the priest’s line could imply “ the Lord be with your spirit” and the people’s reply is a natural reciprocation “ and with your spirit”.

Regardless of which greeting the priest chooses, the purpose of the Greeting  is to (a) establish the dialogue between priest  and people and (b) the interdependence of the priest and the people as they take up their roles to praise God.

How many times do these words occur during the Mass? Notice too how the celebrant extends his hands as he says these words, as he is greeting us in the name of Christ. Then he usually gives some introductory comments about any themes of the readings, which can help us to draw more fully to and sharpen our awareness of themes in God’s Word.  This first part of the Introductory Rite, known as the Greeting, is quite important for us, helping us to centre our attention on Christ, yet it can pass over us so quickly.

How well do You focus during the Introductory Rite?