WHAT ARE THE REQUISITES FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MASS?

BREAD AND WINE

Before passing from this world to the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ gathered with his disciples at the Last Supper. Taking bread and wine (afterward), he gave thanks to the Father, blessed and consecrated them, and instituted the Sacrament of Love—the Most Holy Eucharist. He entrusted this sacred mystery to his Mystical Body, the Church, which faithfully continues to celebrate it in obedience to his command until he comes again in glory.

a.    What kind of bread must the Church use for the eucharistic celebration?

·      Bread made only from WHEAT

·      Bread recently made

·      Unleavened bread

b.   What kind of wine must the church use for the eucharistic celebration?

o   The wine must be from the fruit of the vine (Luke 22:18)

o   Natural

o   Unadulterated (no added substance)

The bread and the wine used for the Eucharistic celebration must be carefully preserved to prevent them from spoiling or losing their quality.

SACRED VESSELS

The chalice, paten, and ciborium are among the principal sacred vessels used in the celebration of the Eucharist. They hold the bread and wine that are presented to God, consecrated, and received by the faithful in Holy Communion.

a.    Could we use any metal or material to make them?

No. Sacred vessels should be made of precious metal or other noble, solid, and non-absorbent materials approved by the Church. They must reflect the dignity of the Eucharist and the reverence due to the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ.

SACRED VESTMENTS

The sacred vestments worn during the celebration of the Eucharist signify the proper function of each minister and enhance the beauty, nobility, and dignity of the sacred liturgy.

a.     Do the minister’s vestments need to be blessed before their use?

Yes, they need to be blessed (according to the Roman Ritual 136).

b.   What is the vestment proper to the Priest celebrant at Mass?

The Chasuble. It is worn over the Alb and stole.

c.    What is the vestment proper to the Deacon at Mass?

It is the Dalmatic (over the Alb and stole)

d.   How does the Priest wear the stole?

He puts on the stole around his neck and hanging down in front of his chest.

e.    How does the Deacon wear the stole?

It is worn over his left shoulder and drawn diagonally across the chest to the right side.

f.     When does the priest wear the cope?

During the processions and other sacred actions.

g.    What are the traditional colors of the liturgical vestments worn by ministers?

a)  WHITE: is used in the Offices and Masses during Easter Time andChristmas Time; on the Solemnity of the Most Holy Trinity; furthermore on celebrations of the Lord other than of his Passion, celebrations of the Blessed Virgin Mary, of the Holy Angels, and of Saints who were not Martyrs; on the Solemnities of All Saints (November 1) and of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24); and on the Feasts of St. John the Evangelist (December 27), of the Chair of St. Peter (February 22), and of the Conversion of St. Paul (January 25).

b) RED: is used on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion and on Friday of Holy Week (Good Friday), on Pentecost Sunday, on celebrations of the Lord’s Passion, on the “birthday” feast days of Apostles and Evangelists, and on celebrations of Martyr Saints.

c) GREEN: is used in the Offices and Masses of Ordinary Time.

d) VIOLET: The color violet or purple is used in Advent and Lent. It may also be worn in Offices and Masses for the Dead.

e) Besides the color violet, the colors white or black may be used at funeral services and at other Offices and Masses for the Dead in the Dioceses of the United States of America.

f) ROSE: may be used, where it is the practice, on Gaudete Sunday (Third Sunday of Advent) and on Lætare Sunday (Fourth Sunday of Lent).

g) On more solemn days, festive, that is, more precious, sacred vestments may be used even if not of the color of the day.

h) The colors gold or silver may be worn on more solemn occasions in the Dioceses of the United States of America.

The Book of the Gospels and the Lectionary are essential liturgical books used in the celebration of the Eucharist. They contain the readings from Sacred Scripture proclaimed during the Liturgy of the Word.

[1] To go further, you can read Chapter VI: The Requisites for the Celebration of Mass, nos. 319–350 (part of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal).