Title: The Catholic Worship Service: The Mass - dummies
Headings: The Catholic Worship Service: The Mass
The Catholic Worship Service: The Mass
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist

Content: The Catholic Worship Service: The Mass - dummies
In this article
Introduction
The Liturgy of the Word
The Liturgy of the Eucharist
Religion
Christianity
Catholicism
The Catholic Worship Service: The Mass
The Catholic Worship Service: The Mass
In this article
The Mass, the formal, official worship service of Catholicism, is the most important and sacred act of worship in the Catholic Church. Going to Mass is the only way a Catholic can fulfill the Third Commandment to keep holy the Sabbath day and the only regular opportunity to receive the Holy Eucharist. The Mass incorporates the Bible (Sacred Scripture), prayer, sacrifice, hymns, symbols, gestures, sacred food for the soul, and directions on how to live a Catholic life — all in one ceremony. The first part of the Mass in the Western (Latin) Church is the Liturgy of the Word, and its main focus is on Bible readings as an integral part of daily and weekly worship. The second part is the Liturgy of the Eucharist, and its main focus is the holiest and most sacred part of the Mass — Holy Eucharist. Eastern Rite Catholics call their Mass the Divine Liturgy, but it’s essentially the same. Eastern Catholics also use the two-fold division of Liturgy of the Catechumens and Liturgy of the Faithful, which coincide with the Liturgy of the Word and the Liturgy of the Eucharist.