The Mass has been at the heart of Christian worship since the early Church and remains central to Catholic life today. From the earliest days, the Eucharist was celebrated as a communal act of worship, as seen in the Acts of the Apostles, where the disciples "devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers" (Acts 2:42). This "breaking of bread" refers to the Eucharist, a direct continuation of the Last Supper, where Jesus commanded His followers to "do this in memory of me" (Luke 22:19).
For early Christians, and Catholics today, the Mass is not just a symbol but a participation in the sacrifice of Christ, uniting believers with Him and each other in a profound way. The Eucharist, as the source and summit of the faith, embodies Christ’s presence and is central to Christian worship, shaping the community from the apostolic age to the present.
The Mass did not suddenly appear centuries after Christianity began. Explore its biblical roots, its early Christian practice, and the meaning behind what Catholics celebrate at every Mass.
The Catholic Mass in 155 AD
What did Christian worship look like less than a century after the apostles?
A Protestant Looks at the Mass
Mike Cumbie examines the Mass from the perspective of a former Protestant.
The Mass: A Video Guide
A walk through the Mass and the meaning behind what Catholics do and say.
The Mass: The Origins
Trace the roots of Catholic worship through the earliest centuries of Christianity.