Mass

MASS, Missa, this Word is used at this Day in the Church [of Rome] to signifie [what they call] the unbloody Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of our Saviour Jesus Christ, which is offered upon the Altar, under the Species of Bread and Wine. The Word Mass taken in this Sence is not to be found in any Place of Scripture; but it has been used ever since the End of the third Century by the Latin Fathers, and other Ecclesiastical Authors ‘Tis in vain to seek its Etymology either in Greek or Hebrew i, as some have done. Missa is derived from Mitto to send. Missa has been used for Missio, and this Word is found in this Sence even in Suetonius, Caligul. c. 25. And as at the Conclusion of the Mass of the Catecumens, that is to say, after the Gospel was read, and after the Sermon; as also after the Sacrifice and the Prayers were ended, the Priest or the Deacon sent the People away, by pronouncing with a loud Voice. Ite, missa est, or Missio est: You may all return home. From thence it came to pass, that the Name of Missa or Missio was given to the whole Action and Ceremony of the Sacrifice. On this Head may be seen Cardinal Baronius, Annal. Eccl. ad An. 34. N. 60. Cardinal Bona, de rebus Liturg. Lib. i. M. Du Cange, Glossar. Latin. ad vocem Missa. Martinus Martinius, Lexic. Missa, &c. We shall speak of [what is called] the Sacrifice of the Mass hereafter, under the Article SACRIFICE.

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