This is a tricky question and sometimes may seem unnecessary as far as one goes to mass. But if the Holy Mass technically has an end, then there must be a beginning. If the beginning is not meaningful then, anyone could come during the offertory or during the consecration. So, it’s very important to know when the mass begins.
So, my brothers and sisters in this Holy media space, let’s follow this discourse gradually. Yes, the space is holy for whatever approach one follows determines the perspective.
The mass doesn’t begin with the sign of the cross by the the priest for if we say that the sign of the cross by the priest is the beginning, then does that mean that the opening hymn and procession really weren’t the Mass? So, it’s not advisable for the chief celebrant to say “we begin this mass, in the name of the father…?”
The mass doesn’t begin with the opening hymn neither for if we say that the opening hymn is the beginning, then the problem is that, a hymn technically isn’t required at some masses, so would that mean the mass never officially begins?
As you are still contemplating on these, you have to understand that before the mass begins, one who is serious with the faith and truly wants to participate fruitfully in the mass has to consider greeting those around, blessing oneself with the holy water if the provisions are made, praying silently in the pew, etc.
This would help one to gather one’s mind and prepare one for what is about to happen spiritually: we join our voice to call to mind our sins, give God praise, declare our intentions through a singular prayer, then encounter Jesus through the hymns, the Word broken on the pulpit,etc Then, the Word we encountered through the scriptures, we take into ourselves through the Eucharist table.
Yet if these are part of why we go to mass, when does the mass begin?
The Mass, in the strict sense, does not have a beginning because the gift of the grace of salvation in the Paschal Mystery(suffering, death, resurrection and ascension of Christ ), is a continuum, and so it is not bound by time but the reenactment or memorial (anamnesis) of this gift in the form of a celebration has a beginning.
Liturgical celebrations have some sort of beginning in time, and so the mass begins at the time the people leave their homes and begin their procession to the place of gathering, the Church building, for the celebration, leaving their secular responsibilities behind for a short while. The procession by the priest and other ministers simply ends the procession already begun by the people of God.
I am Fr. Henry Charles Umelechi, Fr. Truth Series. I value truth and strive to lead people to the truth.
© www.frtruthseries.com