LITURGY LESSON: ENTRANCE PROCESSION 2

(Given: Jan. 17, 2010 2^nd Sunday Ordinary Time)

Those of us who are over thirty years old will remember when there was no opening procession to begin Mass. The priest and a couple of servers simply walked out into the sanctuary, this area around the altar (-gesture-) from the sacristy, the place where the priest puts on his vestments.

The only exception was when the Bishop came to a parish. Then there was always a procession, just as there always was when the Pope celebrated Mass. In 1963 The Vatican Council published the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and many things began to change. What many of us don't know is that most of the changes were not new. They were attempts to reintroduce many very old ways of celebrating Mass, including the opening procession. For instance, as long ago as the year 701 a.d. there is record of a procession to begin Mass in Rome.²

This procession isn't just a way to get the priest to the altar. Its purpose is to gather everyone together - to begin with something unifying - a procession and singing - bringing a sense of joy and setting the theme for the celebration. Our music director always carefully selects a processional hymn to fit the occasion, and we actually should sing it to the end or at least to some thematic conclusion, not just end it when Father gets to the altar.

A server carries the processional cross, often bearing the likeness of the crucified Christ. It leads the others, the servers, the deacon and the presider. As they reach the steps they bow and proceed to approach the sanctuary. Next week we will talk about the altar, another rich symbol of the Catholic Eucharist.

² Johnson, Lawrence J., me Mystery of Faith: A Study of the Structural Elements of the Order of the Mass, p. 5.