"As you may know, the Catholic Faith was
illegal in the Roman Empire prior to 313 AD, when the Emperor
Constantine issued the Edict of Milan permitting the Christian Faith to
flourish publicly. Prior to that time, Church buildings as we know them
today were rare - Mass was usually celebrated in houses.
"Now be careful here; these 'houses' were usually rather sizable,
with a central courtyard or large room that permitted something a
little more formal than Mass 'around the dining room table.' I remember
being taught (incorrectly) that these early Masses were informal,
emphasized a relaxed, communal quality, and were celebrated facing the
people. Well, it turns out that really isn’t true. People didn’t just
sit around a table or sit in circle - not at all. They sat or stood
formally, and everyone faced in one direction: east. . . .
"What is remarkable about these early liturgies is how formal
they were despite the fact that they were conducted under
less-than-ideal circumstances. . . ."
In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish,
Washington, DC) offered some details of the early Mass in these 'house liturgies' and reflected on its celebration.
To access Msgr. Pope’s complete post, please visit:
Msgr. Charles Pope: The Ancient Mass in the “House Churches” was not as Informal as Many Think (19 AUG 14)
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