Questions and Answers About Our Faith

Why do Catholics say they are attending Mass instead of Sunday service?

Catholics say they are attending “Mass” instead of “Sunday service” because Catholics have several “services,” or liturgical rites, that might take place on a Sunday. “Mass” more properly names the service we’re talking about. The word “Mass” comes from the Latin of the final dismissal, Ite missa est — roughly translated as “Go, having been sent out.” It reminds us that we leave Mass on a mission to bring the Kingdom of God into the world.

Why do we call the Mass a liturgy? (And what is a liturgy?)

Catholics don’t tend to use the term “service.” The Church from ancient times has used the term “liturgy” for its rites. “Liturgy” comes from the Greek words for “public” (leitos) and “working” (ergos) and means something like “an action done by or on behalf of the public.” “Liturgy” is what we call our worship because worship is the primary action of God’s people. We were made to worship God. It’s what we do!

Is the Mass actually two liturgies?

The Mass has many rites within it — Entrance Rite, Penitential Rite, Communion Rite, etc. — and is generally divided into two parts: the Liturgy of the Word, where we hear Scripture readings and the homily; and the Liturgy of the Eucharist, where the sacrifice of Christ is re-presented to the Father and Christ is made really present. In the Mass, we are fed both from the Table of the Word and the Table of the Lord’s Body and Blood.

Father’s garment seems to be the same four colors. Does he decide what color to wear at each Mass?

The colors of the vestments at Mass are determined by the liturgical season or feast day. There are five seasons to the year: Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and Ordinary Time. Purple is worn during Advent and Lent to symbolize penitence. White is worn during Christmas and Easter to symbolize joy and for Solemnities and feasts. Green is worn during Ordinary Time to symbolize growth in the Spirit. Also, red is worn on Pentecost and at Confirmation Masses to symbolize the fire of the Spirit, and on the feasts of martyrs and apostles to symbolize the blood they shed for the faith. Black can be worn at funerals, Masses for the dead, and on All Souls Day (Nov. 2). In some countries, blue is worn on Marian feasts. The only time the priest can decide what color he wants to wear is at a funeral. He can choose from black, white, or purple.