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100
Last Supper
The Last Supper is the final meal that, in the Gospel accounts, Jesus shared with his apostles in Jerusalem before his crucifixion. -
Period: 100 to 200
Second to Third century
Once the apostolic community was no longer on the scene, the developing liturgy increasingly used, read, and reflected on the writings of the first-generation leaders such as Paul. When Jewish-Christians were no longer welcome at the synagogue service, they added its prayers, singing, chanting, and homily to the eucharistic liturgy. Today, we recognize this development as the liturgy of the word. -
150
Rite is descirbed
St.Justin writes the description of the Rite today. -
Period: 300 to 700
Fourth to Eight century
Significant changes occured with the liturgy -
384
Latin Language is Altered
Latin was now the Language of the liturgy -
Period: 800 to 1400
Theoligists Debate
Theologians of this era debated the meaning of the "real presence" of Christ in the eucharistic bread and wine. They used the term transubstantiation to describe the mystery of the bread and wine being changed into Jesus' risen body and blood although the appearance of bread and wine remained. Large churches, the stress on the sacrificial nature of the mass, the growing sense that the laity were spectators to a drama unfolding on the altar all led to a feeling that the consecration was the high. -
1215
Fourth Lateran Council
Law was passed to give people the right to the lay people to receive communion at least one time in a calendar year. -
1570
Pope Puis the V
Pope Pius published a roman missal that throughly explained the ritual of the Eucharist. -
New Law
Dedication to the blessed sacrament continued to shine, although people rarely received communion until 1910, when Pope Pius X permitted children who attained the age of maturity to receive holy communion and encouraged frequent communion by all the faithful. -
The Eucharist Today
We celebrate the mass in the vernacular language so we can understand more fully what the mass means. The liturgy of the word has greater importance. Guidelines instruct the homilist to develop the homily based on the readings. The Sunday readings revolve around a three-year cycle. This emphasis has helped Catholics discover the scriptures. The altar now faces the people. This invites a clearer understanding of what is going on at the eucharist. It also symbolically opens the mass to full. -
Eucharist Today
The revised ritual allows communion in the hand and communion under both species. The laity assume many ministerial roles today, for example, as readers, eucharistic ministers, choir members, greeters, and gift bearers. -
Eucharist Summary
In summary, Vatican II wished to make the eucharist a celebration of the entire community. Many of the reforms help us better understand the symbolism and meaning of the mass. They also help us gather together as a worshipping community.