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By Patrick Downes
Hawaii Catholic Herald
Sunday Mass has just gotten a little bit longer. That’s because, starting in January, it has become an occasion for a “teachable moment.”
Bishop Larry Silva has asked parishes to conduct “teaching Masses” in participation in the National Eucharistic Revival, a movement begun by the U.S. bishops to restore understanding and devotion to Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
Teaching Masses include commentary by the priest explaining the liturgy he is celebrating – its meaning, structure and symbolisms.
Because it would take too long to parse the entire eucharistic liturgy in the time allotted for a Sunday Mass, Bishop Silva has divided the teaching into seven lessons to be delivered over seven weekends from January through February.
In a letter to priests and deacons explaining the plan, Bishop Silva wrote that the “teaching Masses” should concentrate “more on the theology and spirituality than on the rubrics,” or procedures.
“The catechesis could be part of the homily, or it could be given in a 5-10 minute section after the Prayer after Communion,” he said.
The bishop also encouraged parishes to organize deeper catechetical sessions after Mass or during the week “for those who wish to understand the Eucharist even more deeply.”
Here is the schedule for the National Eucharistic Revival “teaching Masses” as proposed by Bishop Silva.
- Jan. 8: Epiphany of the Lord — General reflection on the Mass as a living encounter with Jesus, such as the Magi had.
- Jan. 15: Second Sunday of Ordinary Time — Introductory Rites of the Mass. Gathering the community; the sign of the cross; greeting and interchange between priest and people; penitential act; Gloria; Collect (prayer)
- Jan. 22: Third Sunday of Ordinary Time (Sunday of the Word of God) — Liturgy of the Word. Jesus is the Word made flesh; Scriptures are writings inspired by the Holy Spirit; Christ speaking to his people; Lectionary cycles.
- Jan. 29: Fourth Sunday of Ordinary Time — Liturgy of the Eucharist, part A. The heart of the Eucharistic Prayer are the words of consecration of the bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. It recalls four actions of Jesus at the Last Supper: took, blessed, broke and gave.
- Feb. 5: Fifth Sunday of Ordinary Time — Liturgy of the Eucharist, part B. The Eucharistic Prayer is prayed by the priest in the name of the assembly. “Eucharist” comes from the Greek, meaning “thanksgiving.” There are 10 Eucharistic Prayers in the Roman Missal. All have the same elements.
- Feb. 12: Sixth Sunday of Ordinary Time — Concluding Rites. Emphasis on mission; announcements; blessing; dismissal.
- Feb. 19: Seventh Sunday of Ordinary Time — General review.
