Course 4, Chapter 23: Christianity visible. — The sixth part of the Mass

1. What is the sixth part of the mass?

The sixth and last part of the mass is the thanks giving. It comprises the anthem called communion, the post communion, the lie missa est, the benediction, and the Gospel of St. John.

2. What is the anthem called communion?

It is a prayer which the priest recites and which at high mass the choir sings, immediately after the communion.

3. Why do they sing it?

As singing is used at the festivals of the great ones of the earth, the church wishes that it also should be used at the feast Avhere man is seated at the table of God himself.

4. What is the post communion?

It is a prayer recited in thanksgiving after communion, and therefore called post communion.

5. What means Ite missa est f

Ite missa est means Co, the congregation is dismissed. In high masses the deacon sings it in the name of the priest.

6. . Does the mass always close with the words Ite missa est?

Not always. When other prayers follow the mass, the people are invited to continue the praises of God, and then, instead of the Ite missa est, the Renedicamus Domino, Let us b/exs the Lord, is said. For this reason the Benedicamus is said during Advent and Lent.

7. Why does the priest give the blessing at the end of mass?

To obtain for the people that they may preserve the fruits of the holy sacrifice, to testify his affection for them and the desire he has for their salvation.

8. Why does he recite the Gospel of St. John?

He recites the Gospel of St. John on account of the profound respect which has ever been entertained for the holy words it contains. The pagans themselves admired them so much that they wished to have them engraved in letters of gold in their places of assembly that every person might read them.

9. What do the people say at the end of the Gospel?

At the end of the Gospel, they say Deo gratia.^ thanks to God, thanks to the most Holy Trinity, for all their benefits, of which the sacrifice of the altar is an abridgment.

10. How should we retire after mass?

We should retire with great recollection, and live during the day as if we had witnessed the death of the Saviour on Mount Calvary.