High Mass

Cyclopedia of Biblical, Theological and Ecclesiastical Literature

The Mass in the Church of Rome consists in the "consecration of the bread and wine ‘ into the body and blood of Christ,' as they say, and the offering up of the same body and blood to God by the ministry of the priest for a perpetual memorial of Christ's sacrifice upon the cross, and a continuation of the same unto the world's end." High Mass is the same service, accompanied by all the ceremonies which custom and authority have annexed to its celebration, and read before the high altar on Sundays, fast- days, and particular occasions. (See Mass).