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Dear Good People of Saint Bernadette,

Our Lenten small group/self study begins this week using Session Two, The Introductory Rites, from A Biblical Walk through the Mass by Edward Sri.

Of course, the two major movements of the Mass are the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist. They are preceded with introductory rites as well as followed by concluding rites.

The first thing I want to say is that, although they are not as vital as the two central parts of the Mass, they are still vital and should be emphasized because they matter. If we don’t understand them, people will continue to come late and leave early because they think these rites don’t matter. It is striking, and troubling, how most people come to Mass late, and leave early -- not only in our parish.

In Session Two, Edward Sri has some interesting insights into Old Testament origins for many of these gestures, listed at the left. I thought I would share with you what I think are the most important takeaways.

First, what he doesn’t mention. An integral part of the introductory rites, though more of an element that evolved over the centuries (like the penitential rite itself), is the gathering hymn or song. Imagine a time when people walked to their neighborhood church. As they gathered, they sang. Procession is always an outward sign of community. They would come together at the door of the church, and the Mass would begin with the greeting and the collect. Ministers of the Mass process, and the assembly sings.

The sign of the cross. The book makes some reference to Old Testament types (Ezekiel 8), but I think the most important reflection is personal. Before the start of the Mass, you have already signed yourself with holy water “In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit.” The baptismal water reminds us of our baptismal identity, and we literally announce ourselves as we enter the sacred space of the church. Sri says we call upon God’s name at this moment, which may be central to his spirituality, but at the moment of my baptism the priest didn’t say to me, “I baptize you in the name of Don.” Rather, my name is literally Father, Son and Holy Spirit. At the moment the Mass begins, we all say it together, a powerful sign of unity and our identity which is found in God.

Then we call to mind our sins. We reflect in a silent examination of conscience in order to prepare for the coming rites in which we listen to God’s Word and receive his Holy Communion with pure hearts. The “I confess” is an act of contrition, like you do in the sacrament of reconciliation. The Church teaches us that venial sins may be forgiven by an act of contrition or an act of charity. So this is how we prepare for Communion: if you are conscious of mortal sin, you must first go to confession, receive absolution, and do the penance prescribed. Do you see why it is so important that everyone be present for this introductory rite?

I have been told that former versions of the Mass had a lot in common with Eastern Rite churches in the multiplication of elements. For example in the former Latin Mass the priest made the sign of the cross 52 times. It is common in the East to say Lord, have mercy seven times, seven times (real fast). Edward Sri applies a trinitarian interpretation to the three times we say it. That may be so, but I like his explanation of mercy (hesed) better. Mercy is not something that a higher, more important person bestows on a lower. It is the covenantal love with which one embraces another out of unconditional commitment.

We suddenly turn from our sorrow for sin to the joy of the gloria. Glory to God in the highest! We sing with the angels who used these words at the birth Jesus, now looking ahead to his coming at Mass, as well as the “Hosanna in the highest, blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord,” the words of praise as Jesus enters the holy city on Palm Sunday. The sacrifice is near... It is a striking juxtaposition of events in our story of salvation, placed here as a foreshadowing of the Mystery about to come.

Finally, the introductory rites end with the opening prayer of the Mass, called the Collect. Here is how this is supposed to work. The priest calls us to prayer: “Let us pray.” There is a pause. This is when you call to mind your intentions for this Mass. Who do you wish to lift up to God? What do you ask on their behalf? What is it you ask of God on behalf of our broken world, the great suffering of peoples, the great need? You include your intentions in silence, and the priest then collects all of them, wrapping them up in the thematic prayer of the day.

The Lord be with you,