second and third centuries – Madison Catholic Herald Archive (2001-2025)

This is the second of a four-part series on the Eucharist.

Fourth through Seventh Centuries

With the end of official state persecution, the Church was able to develop in a very different way — and this development was aided by the support of the Roman Emperor, beginning with Constantine I (306-337). This period saw a great deal of adaptation by the Church of religious and secular forms which had been part of Roman culture throughout its pagan history. Here are just two examples:

Year of Faith

On February 20, 2013

Abbot Marcel Rooney, OSB

The Holy Eucharist: History of the Mass, part one

This is the first of a four-part series on the Eucharist.

To begin our reflections on the Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, it would be valuable to first look at the history of the celebration of this central sacrament of our Faith. Such an historical view will give perspective on the celebration in our time.

Recently, there have been changes in the translation of the texts of Holy Mass. A generation earlier, there were changes in a number of the elements that may have upset some people.