Msgr. Pope on the Mass as a Formal, Sacred Meal

"There been much tension regarding the Mass as both a meal and a sacrifice. A necessary corrective was introduced in the past twenty years to rectify the overly strong emphasis, heavily advanced during the 1970s and 1980s, on the Mass as a meal. The purpose of the corrective was to bring back needed balance with the root of the Mass: the cross and the overall paschal mystery.

"While we cannot dismiss the idea of the Mass as a meal, we must understand what sort of meal it is. When most people today hear the word 'meal,' they do not think of a holy banquet or wedding feast, but more of an informal meal. And informality in American culture has become very informal indeed! We rarely dress up anymore; formal banquets, black-tie dinners, and the like are rare."

In a recent commentary, Monsignor Charles Pope (pastor of Holy Comforter-Saint Cyprian Parish, Washington, DC) reflected on the Sacrifice of the Mass as a a formal, sacred meal.

To access Msgr. Pope's complete post, please visit:

Community in Mission: If We Understand the Sacrifice of the Mass to Be a Meal, We Must Clarify What Sort of Meal It Is (8 AUG 16)