Originally published at Churchpop
It’s the “source and summit of the Christian life”!
The Mass is extremely important to the Christian life. As such, the Church has developed a number of different names to refer to it, all of which capture some important aspect of it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists and explains 11 such names (CCC 1328-1332). More names are part of our tradition, but the following are particularly important.
Here are the 11 names the Catechism gives for the Mass:1) Eucharist
The Greek word this comes from means “thanksgiving.” The Mass is an act of thanksgiving to God – the best we can give!
2) Lord’s Supper
The Catechism provides two explanations of this name: first, because of the Mass’ connection to Christ’s “Last Supper”; second, because the Mass anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in Heaven.
3) Break of Bread
First, Jesus used a part of the Jewish Passover tradition involving the breaking of bread to institute the Eucharist. Second, his disciples on the road to Emmaus “recognized him in the breaking of the bread” (cf. Luke 24.35). Lastly, this is how early Christians referred to the Mass (cf. Acts 2.42).
4) Eucharistic Assembly
The Mass is ordinarily celebrated with a group of Christians, visibly manifesting the Church.
5) Memorial
In
