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The Last Supper
On the eve of Jesus's ultimate sacrifice, he asks his disciples to prepare a room to celebrate the Passover meal. As the disciples gather around the table for the meal, Jesus begins by praying a psalm to God. Taking the bread, Jesus breaks old Jewish traditions by uttering new words, “Take and eat. This is my body that will be given up for you". This event represents the very first instance in history of the Eucharist being celebrated. -
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The Apostle & Their Successors
Over time, the Eucharistic celebration develops through the apostles and their successors into the structure we are so familiar with today. "Breaking of the Bread" was the initial name given to the celebration, but they soon realise that the rite and the meal needs to be separated. This is due to celebrants wanting a more prayerful settings for this act of worship. To commemorate the Resurrection of Jesus Christ, the Eucharistic celebration is eventually rescheduled to take place every Sunday. -
150
St. Justin Martyr's Reorganisation
St. Justin Martyr suggests that the structure of the Eucharistic mass is already in place. People's homes become a place of Eucharistic celebration on Sunday. During the celebration, the lector would give two readings, the priest would give a homily, which was then followed by Eucharistic prayer and the distribution of Communion. In addition, there would also be a collection for those who were disadvantaged and in need such as orphans and the ill-ridden. -
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The Growth of the Eucharist
Persecutions abruptly end serving a major turning point for Christianity. In addition to freedom, large amounts of money are donated, most of which are spent on basilicas that become places of Eucharistic worship. People's homes are no longer required to celebrate the Eucharist therefore ending that practice. Furthermore, new elements including processions, incense and bells, and the use of genuflections begin to accompany the celebration. -
400
The Estrangement of the Eucharist
Considered "the age of faith", more sophisticated processions, pilgrimages to holy shrines, and new religious orders are established. Despite this however, active attendance at Mass significantly declines. The altar is commonly hidden from view to the public, priests would conduct the Eucharistic celebration without participants, and although most people used their local languages, the mass remains in Latin. Due to this, many people stop receiving communion as well. -
Jan 1, 1215
Estrangement Continues
Since people ceased receiving communion, they would instead ask the priest to hold up the bread to view and adore. This would later be known as the Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. Meanwhile, Berenger of Tours teaches that the presence of Christ was not really within the bread, which he instead claims was symbolic of his presence instead. However, the Church rejects his point of view by reiterating the "Real Presence" of Christ and introducing transubstantiation, where bread becomes Christ. -
Jan 1, 1545
The Council of Trent and Martin Luther's Reformation
In order to counteract Martin Luther's Reformation, the Council of Trent gathers. A renewal of the Eucharistic mass is promptly called. Pope Pius V takes up the task proposing a standard of celebrating the mass for Western Churches. Both the Liturgy of the Word and Eucharist would be celebrated by the priest at the altar, the faithful congregation would be devotional rather than liturgical, and the text of the mass would remain Latin. This formatted would be known as the Tridentine Mass. -
Jan 1, 1570
Tridentine Mass
In the Tridentine Mass, railings would separate the participants from the priest who would have this back facing towards them. Elaborately decorated, the altar itself was situated against the back wall of the church's structure. In the midst of the Church an elevated pulpit was placed to signify the importance of the sermon rather than the homily. Music was mostly absent from the celebration. Due to this, many Catholics moved to other groups of spirituality to satisfy their spiritual longings. -
The 19th Century: Reigniting The Eucharistic Celebration
It becomes evident that a reinstatement of the liturgy's origins was required. Responding to this, Benedictines begin studying the origins of the liturgy and the ways in which the early Christians celebrated it, and begin revitalising past practises such as the Gregorian chant of the sixth century. -
Pope Pius X and the Second Vatican Council
To further strengthen the revitalisation of the Eucharistic celebration, Pope Pius X encourages the Gregorian chant, frequent attendance of Communion and lowered the minimum age for First Communion to seven years old. Furthermore, the Second Vatican Council is held where Fathers of the Second Vatican Council established the Constitution of the Liturgy. The purpose of this constitution most prominently encourages "an ever increasing vigour to the Christian life of the faithful." -
The Mass of the Roman Rite
Joseph Jungmann, S.J., publishes "The Mass of the Roman Rite" exposing the intricate history of the Eucharistic mass. Meanwhile, the "Constitution on the Liturgy" is approved by the Second Vatican Council with minimal objections. The constitution's declaration of, "The liturgy is the summit to which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all her power flow," resonates within all. -
Constitution on the Liturgy Takes Effect (1/2)
The "Constitution on the Liturgy" takes effect and several changes are introduced to the Eucharistic celebration. These include:- Local languages replacing Latin
- Priests facing the participants
- Shaking of hands at the greeting of peace
- Encouragement to actively participate in the mass, and to sing and pray
- The invitation to receive Communion either in the hand or on the tongue, and to stand during it.
- The chalice also being offered to complete the Bread and Wine
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Constitution on the Liturgy Takes Effect (2/2)
[Continuation]- the laity and religious being able to serve communion as extraordinary ministers
- the addition of entrance processions
- the bringing of gifts at the presentation of the offerings
- large Bible excerpts being heard as mass reading consisted of a three-year series of the Scriptures
- homilies becoming lecture and announcement-like regarding anything while explaining how the Scriptures can be applied to everyday life
- new hymns being composed as "guitar masses" are introduced
