10
votes
4answers
410 views

When does the bread and wine become Body and Blood?

Exactly when during the Mass does transubstantiation occur? I am aware that it occurs during the Eucharistic Prayer, but at exactly what moment? Would this change if a priest were to consecrate ...
7
votes
3answers
147 views

Format for the Catholic Mass

I've been to a Catholic Church very few times in my adult life. It's a very different experience than the protestant Churches I'm used to. In most of the Protestant Churches, there is generally a ...
5
votes
2answers
142 views

When and where did Pope Paul VI say the “Mass is the most perfect form of prayer”?

I was trying to source this quote, The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer - Pope Paul VI but the Google, in her wisdom, seems to think I only want to see what my fellow zealous Mary lovers ...
4
votes
1answer
209 views

What's the tradition behind hand holding during the Our Father at Mass?

In traveling around my diocese I've noticed that there are some parishes that are hand-holders and some parishes that are non-hand-holders and some people in the non-hand-holder parishes who persist ...
6
votes
2answers
319 views

Why did priests begin to sacrifice?

I attended a class on the Sacraments last night and the presenter was talking about how Bishops, priests and deacons were specifically mentioned in the NT. It made me wonder, how did Christians get ...
9
votes
1answer
208 views

What is the reason to genuflect when the Incarnation is mentioned?

At Mass during the recitation of the Nicene Creed and when praying the Angelus, it is common (or required?) for the congregation to bow or genuflect during the lines: For us men and for our ...