[ YOUTH MASS ]

The Mass Explained

A priest celebrates mass for students at a youth rally.This portion of the website is dedicated to briefly explaining the Mass, the most central and important aspect of the Catholic faith.  We especially want to shed light on our call to participate in it 
and discuss how we do that at the Youth Mass at Emmaus Catholic Parish.  For more information on these topics, please consult the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which is the source of all of the information explained in these pages.  In the Links section of this website, there is a link to the Catechism available on the USCCB website, as well, answers to specific questions about the Mass and other Catholic beliefs on the Catholic Answers website.  If you have any other questions about the Mass, the sacraments, liturgical involvement, or music, please feel free to contact Kristen Weber or Michael Raia. 

The Mass is the highest form of worship available to Catholic Christians; our weekly communal prayer that follows the command Christ issued his apostles.  In the Mass, we take part in a sacred and ancient liturgy, a ritual tradition that has existed since the earliest days of Christianity.  It is the most important of all liturgies (structured traditions of prayer) celebrated by the Church, which is why it is sometimes simply called 'The Liturgy.'

The Church explains liturgy as accomplishing the work of God in community. We all take part in liturgy as a way of worship, especially in the Mass. This worship is three-fold: direct worship of our Creator, proclamation of the Gospel, and active charity. The Catechism of the Catholic Church says of the Mass:  “… it must be preceded by evangelization, faith, and conversion.  It can then produce its fruits in the lives of the faithful:  new life in the Spirit, involvement in the mission of the Church, and service to her unity” (CCC 1072).  The Liturgy is also a participation in Christ’s prayer to the Father and Spirit, and offers us participation in the divine life of the Trinity.

A youth Mass offers a dynamic and setting which provides  certain individuals the chance to have a deeper participation in the Mass, especially students.  The music is more contemporary, the liturgy is a little more inviting and easy to follow, and youth participation is encouraged in the lector, usher, Eucharistic minister, and music ministries.  A youth Mass specifically tailors certain aspects to middle school and high school age groups, but is also open to the entirety of the parish and all visitors and guests who enjoy the style of worship offered.  Some people very much enjoy youth Masses, while others prefer a traditional liturgy.  In our Catholic faith, we are fortunate to have a great many Masses in which we can choose to participate.

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