The Elements of the Catholic Mass video series is designed to help the faithful better appreciate the beauty of the Mass. They’re ideal for personal faith formation or group discussion. Featuring experts from the Liturgical Institute, the program consists of beautifully produced short videos of 2-5 minutes. Each post contains a link to simple Study Guide. These free videos will be available through daily Facebook posts and via the Elements of Mass blog on the lower part of our homepage or at this direct link for the blog: hrparish.org/blog/masselements  WATCH A PREVIEW BELOW Fr. Douglas Martis is the featured expert in the first season of "Elements of the Catholic Mass." He has a doctorate in Sacramental Theology from the Institut Catholique in Paris and a Ph.D. in History of Religions and Religious Anthropology from the University of Paris (Sorbonne). He is a priest of the Diocese of Joliet and currently teaches at the Pontifical College Josephinum. He is former Associate Professor of Sacramental Theology and Chairperson of the Department of Liturgy and Music at Mundelein Seminary. From 2004 he served as Director of the Liturgical Institute of the University of Saint Mary of the Lake. Jesse Weiler is the Director, Cinematographer and Editor of "Elements of the Catholic Mass."  He is the Assistant Director of Communications at the Liturgical Institute in Mundelein, IL and has a B.A. in Media Studies from Loras College in Dubuque, IA.   Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

In our series premier, we find out the definition of the word "liturgy." While it technically means the work of the people, there are two more aspects that help us understand why we even have the Mass in the first place. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

We Christians are here on earth as exiles. Many of us grow up in middle class Christianity. The danger with that is that we have everything we want and as a consequence we don’t really long for heaven. In this episode we learn what the role of the parishioner is in the Catholic Mass. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

The Second Vatican Council, in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, called for “active participation” on the part of the Faithful. It also called for a participation that would be full and conscious. In this episode we learn the importance of worshiping intelligently. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

A procession is an assembly on the move. It symbolizes, in every instance, our pilgrimage through this world to our true homeland; we are citizens of heaven. There is a difference between “gathering” and “assembly.” A gathering can be any group. An assembly, on the other hand, is a group called together, formed into a body, united in their purpose and in their destination. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

In this episode, we dive into the meaning of the church building. The Catholic Church is a sacramental Church which means deeper realities are expressed in perceptible signs. The church building is not a neutral place; it is not simply a skin for liturgical action. It is a place where prayer happens; it is a temple where sacrifice is offered. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

The Catholic Mass is full of signs and symbols. Where do these signs come from? Where do they get their meaning? The Church teaches that the meaning comes from four categories: creation, human culture, the Old Testament and they are fully revealed in the mission of Christ narrated for us in the New Testament. The sacramental system depends on signs that are perceptible. Every created thing has the impression of God, the Divine Artisan. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

The Catholic Church teaches that a sacrament is an outward sign, instituted by Christ, to give grace. Or as the Catechism of the Catholic Church puts it: The sacraments are efficacious sign of grace, instituted by Christ and entrusted to the Church, by which divine life is dispensed to us. (n. 1131) Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31

The Church weaves the notion of active participation, together with full and conscious into her understanding. We should be engaged fully, conscious of what we are doing, aware of the liturgy’s beauty and richness. This participation is first and foremost interior. Like Christ, we offer ourselves from our hearts, completely to the Father. Only then can our participation be full. Study Guide To view the start of the series, go to hrparish.org/blog/masselements Select an Episode1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10   11   12   13   14   15   16   17 18   19  20   21   22   23   24   25   26   27   28   29   30   31