Mass
The Mass is the central act of Catholic worship, in which the community gathers to hear Scripture, and bread and wine are consecrated and received as the Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
Two Main Parts
The Mass is structured around the Liturgy of the Word, which includes Scripture readings and a homily, and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, in which bread and wine are consecrated by a priest and consumed by the faithful in Holy Communion. Catholics believe this bread and wine truly become the Body and Blood of Christ, not merely a symbol of it.
An Obligation and a Gift
Catholics are obligated to attend Mass every Sunday and on certain holy days, understood not as a burdensome rule but as a response to the gift of Christ's real presence offered at every Mass. The structure of the Mass has remained remarkably consistent for centuries, tracing its core elements back to the earliest Christian communities.
Related Terms
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Frequently Asked Questions
Why do Catholics believe the bread and wine actually become Christ's Body and Blood?
This belief, called transubstantiation, rests on Christ's own words at the Last Supper — "This is my body," "This is my blood" — which the Church has understood literally since the earliest centuries, not symbolically.
Can non-Catholics receive Communion at Mass?
Generally no. Receiving Communion is understood as an expression of full communion with the Catholic Church's faith, so it is normally reserved for Catholics who are properly prepared, though visitors are always welcome to attend and pray.