Did You Know….? #1

Did You Know…

…that we celebrate our Catholic Mass exactly the same way the 1st disciples did?


In the year 155, the Roman Emperor Antoninus Pius questioned St. Justin about followers of Christ, and what they were doing when they met in secret. He had heard rumors of 'eating flesh' and 'drinking blood', and so he wondered if Christians were cannibals! St. Justin’s written response to Emperor Antoninus Pius was this (see if it sounds familiar…):


"On the day we call the day of the sun, all who dwell in the city or country gather in the same place.


The memoirs of the apostles and the writings of the prophets are read, as much as time permits.


When the reader has finished, he who presides over those gathered admonishes and challenges them to imitate these beautiful things.

Then we all rise together and offer prayers for ourselves... and for all others, wherever they may be, so that we may be found righteous by our life and actions, and faithful to the commandments, so as to obtain eternal salvation.

When the prayers are concluded we exchange the kiss.

Then someone brings bread and a cup of water and wine mixed together to him who presides over the brethren.

He takes them and offers praise and glory to the Father of the universe, through the name of the Son and of the Holy Spirit and for a considerable time he gives thanks (in Greek: eucharistian) that we have been judged worthy of these gifts.

When he has concluded the prayers and thanksgivings, all present give voice to an acclamation by saying: "Amen."

When he who presides has given thanks and the people have responded, those whom we call deacons give to those present the "eucharisted" bread, wine and water and take them to those who are absent.

The food that has been made the Eucharist by the prayer of His word, and which nourishes our flesh and blood by assimilation, is both the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh."

And so.... did YOU know that over 2,000 years later - we in the Catholic Faith are still worshipping in Jesus' and the first Disciples exact same way?