The Mass

Welcome | Resources for Liturgy | Celebrating the Eucharist | The Mass: Sacrifice and Praise

Supper at Emmaus by Caravaggio (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

For nearly two thousand years, since the Last Supper Jesus shared with his disciples, the Catholic Church has been sustained by the celebration of the Eucharist: the Mass.

The story of the Journey to Emmaus in Luke’s Gospel shows us the beginnings of the Mass in its simplest form. Jesus made himself present to two people, who shared a common faith, as they walked along the road. They recalled the death and resurrection of Jesus. Christ broke open the Scriptures for them. Upon arriving at Emmaus, Christ is revealed to his followers in the breaking of the bread. They were so moved by this experience that they hurried back to Jerusalem immediately to share the good news with others.

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