The fullness of Symbols, Incense, &Return of the Chalices
As we prepare for Holy Week, the Sacred Triduum, the Easter Season, and the return of the use of the Chalices, we should take more opportunity to reflect on the reasons and meaning behind these Sacred Practices. Throughout the Church’s tradition, some Masses have been treated with more solemnity than others for various reasons. Those attending daily Mass have most likely seen that different numbers of candles are lit, the Gloria is recited, or Mass parts are sung differently from one day to the next. Here is the reason for the number of candles lit:
2 candles for a Ferial Day (typical weekday)
4 candles for a Feast Day
6 candles for a Solemnity
Sunday is always considered a Solemnity, one of the highest rankings in the Church calendar. In addition to the day’s ranking in determining the expression of solemnity for the day, when multiple Masses are offered at the same Parish for the same day, one Mass is usually held as the “High Mass.” The “High Mass” was always meant to be the principal Mass for that particular community or Parish. The 10:30 am Mass on Sundays and the Evening Mass on Holy Days of Obligation have been chosen for this role at Saint Pius because these have organically become our principal Mass based on the number of people present.
As mentioned in the article last week, receiving the Eucharist under both species is unnecessary; receiving either the Precious Host or the Precious Blood suffices for the communicant to receive the totality of Jesus in the Eucharist. However, the fullness of the symbol is realized when we receive both species. The lighting of all six candles is not necessary for the Mass to happen. Still, on Solemnities, we can enter more into the fullness of the symbols of Mass: lighting the candles, praying the Gloria, chanting the Mass parts, et cetera. With several people requesting to return to the practice of distribution of the Most Precious Blood to participate in the fullness of this symbol, it would be appropriate to give a weekly opportunity to have the fullest expression of all the symbols of our Faith. In other words, let’s worship God with everything we can possibly do! The Catholic Faith is a rich tradition and treasury of worship, history, and communion with our God. I am very excited to see how our Sunday Liturgy is transformed and offered with more of the fullness of these symbols. Let us worship God together!