It’s the “source and summit of the Christian life”!
The Mass is extremely important to the Christian life. As such, the Church has developed a number of different names to refer to it, all of which capture some important aspect of it.
The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists and explains 11 such names (CCC 1328-1332). More names are part of our tradition, but the following are particularly important.
Here are the 11 names the Catechism gives for the Mass:
1) Eucharist
The Greek word this comes from means “thanksgiving.” The Mass is an act of thanksgiving to God – the best we can give!
2) Lord’s Supper
The Catechism provides two explanations of this name: first, because of the Mass’ connection to Christ’s “Last Supper”; second, because the Mass anticipates the wedding feast of the Lamb in Heaven.
3) Break of Bread
First, Jesus used a part of the Jewish Passover tradition involving the breaking of bread to institute the Eucharist. Second, his disciples on the road to Emmaus “recognized him in the breaking of the bread” (cf. Luke 24.35). Lastly, this is how early Christians referred to the Mass (cf. Acts 2.42).
4) Eucharistic Assembly
The Mass is ordinarily celebrated with a group of Christians, visibly manifesting the Church.
5) Memorial
In the Mass, we remember and make present Christ’s once-for-all sacrifice on the cross.
6) Holy Sacrifice
Christ’s sacrifice on the cross is made present during Mass, allowing us to unite ourselves with him in offering to the Father.
7) Holy and Divine Liturgy
Of all the liturgies in the Church’s life, the Mass is the most important.
8) Sacred Mysteries
The Mass contains the greatest mysteries of the Christian life: God’s revelation, the Incarnation, Christ’s Death and Resurrection, and communion.
9) Most Blessed Sacrament
Of all the seven Sacraments, the Eucharist – the centerpiece of the Mass – is the most important. This is because the Eucharist is Christ himself!
10) Holy Communion
When we receive the Eucharist, we mystically unite ourselves to Christ and His Body.
11) Holy Mass
“...the liturgy in which the mystery of salvation is accomplished concludes with the sending forth (missio) of the faithful, so that they may fulfill God’s will in their daily lives.”