Elements of the Catholic Mass - Video 5: the Processions of the Mass

In the fifth video of this seris, Fr Douglas Martis (who has just stepped down as Director of the Liturgical Institute, Mundelein) describes the purpose of the four processions of the Mass, Entrance, Gospel, Offertory and Communion, which symbolize our movement, as an assembly of people, to heaven.

As he describes this, I am reminded of a Melkite priest who pointed out to me how these same processions are more obviously processed, so to speak, in the Eastern Liturgy.

Also, I was told once also that the Sarum Liturgy, the pre-Reformation Catholic liturgy of the Church in England, had a strong tradition of extended processions. It has been speculated that this is the reason why the great Gothic cathedral of Salisbury has a long cloistered walk into the cathedral. (Sarum is the old name for Salisbury) It was not a monastic design, but rather intended to allow for these Sarum Liturgy processions.

Fourth Video on the Mass from the Liturgical Institute, Mundelein

Here is the fourth in the series called The Elements of the Catholic Mass, produced by the Liturgical Institute at Mundelein and presented by its director, Fr Douglas Martis.

This one is about the church building. As Fr Martis describes, the Catholic Church is a sacramental Church, using the word sacramental as an adjective here, not as a noun. Invisible and deeper realities are revealed through perceptible signs, and the church building itself, not just what is contained within it, has a sacramental role. This is an echo of themes explored in greater depth by Denis McNamara, also of the Liturgical Institute, in his videos on church architecture.

You can find the previous two and the accompanying study guides for each video at: elementsofthecatholicmass.com.

Third Video on the Mass from the Liturgical Institute, Mundelein

Here is the third in the series called The Elements of the Catholic Mass, produced by the Liturgical Institute at Mundelein and presented by its director, Fr Douglas Martis.

This one is entitled “the Role of the Parishioner,” and discusses how in this life we are pilgrims who have their sights set on the heavenly liturgy.

You can find the previous two and the accompanying study guides for each video at: elementsofthecatholicmass.com.

New Series of Videos about the Liturgy from the Liturgical Institute, Mundelein

Here is the first video in what I understand to be a series of ten which are being released week by week by The Liturgical Institute at Mundelein Seminary. In this one, Fr Douglas Martis, the director of the Institute, explains the meaning of the word “Liturgy”.

They will come out each week on Youtube on Sunday evening, and can also be accessed at a website created to host them, www.elementsofthecatholicmass.com.