Catholic Mass - A True Sacrifice

A Catholic Mass, which is a liturgical function, can only be held in a church or an oratory which had been consecrated or at least blessed. An oratory is a structure other than a church, set aside by ecclesiastical authority for prayer and the celebration of Catholic Mass.
Catholic Mass: Rituals and Traditions
The Catholic Mass is a religious service of the Roman Catholic Church in a consecrated place by an authorized minister.Its central act is the performance of the sacrament of the Eucharist. It is based on the ancient Latin liturgy of the city of Rome, now used in most but not all, Roman Catholic churches.
The Mass is the complex of prayers and ceremonies that make up the service of the Eucharist in the Latin rites. The Holy Eucharist is celebrated as Christ hadinstituted it at the Last Supper, according to His command, in memory of Him.
Normally, Mass must be celebrated in a consecrated or blessed Church (private oratories or even rooms are allowed for special reasons at a consecrated altar (or at least on a consecrated altar-stone).Mass may be celebrated on any day in the year except Good Friday at any time between dawn and midday. There are restrictions against private celebrations on Holy Saturday and in the case of private oratories for certain great feasts.
A Catholic pilgrimage priest may say only one Mass each day, except that on Christmas Day when he may say three, and the first said immediately after midnight.In some countries (Spain and Portugal) a priest may also celebrate three times on All Souls' Day (2 November). Bishops may give leave to a priest to celebrate twice on Sundays and feasts of obligation. In cathedral and collegiate churches, as well as in those of religious orders who are bound to say the Canonical Hours every day publicly, there is a daily Mass corresponding to the Office and forming with it the complete cycle of the public worship of God.Two Main Types
A High (or sung) Mass requires a priest, deacon and choir. Low Mass, much more common, is the same service said by one priest.

Normally at Low Mass a server or acolyte helps the celebrant. Most of the text is invariable or ordinary,but certain parts, called proper, change with the catholic pilgrimages's occasion or day.

Understanding the Importance of Catholic Pilgrimage

Since 1979 Catholic Pilgrimages have formed a major portion of the Church group travel services offered by Casterbridge Church Tours. We have 30 years of experience in custom-designing Catholic Tours to shrines and places of retreat and devotion around the world. These pilgrimage tours can include Catholic Shrines or places of Marian apparition, such as Lourdes, Fatima, Knock, Santiago de Compostela, Medjugorje, or Zaragoza. Many of our pilgrimage tours are also combined with days of retreat and reflection.

Pilgrimage Tours provide a special opportunity for people to grow in their faith and deepen their knowledge of key places of devotion. True Catholic Pilgrimages journey with the giants of faith and our Catholic Tours bring groups to places once traveled by important Bible personalities. These spiritual pilgrimages allow you to walk with Christ on the road to Calvary, to stand in some of the very places where Peter and Paul proclaimed the truth of the resurrection. You are able to relive the Pentecost experience in the Upper Room or join with John the Baptist as he baptized Jesus in the River Jordan. Paul on your custom-designed Catholic Tour. Experience the unique benefits and fellowship of church group travel and design your spiritual pilgrimage today.

Catholic Pilgrimages are a golden opportunity to appreciate the traditions of the past, as well as the work of the Holy Spirit active in the Church of today. Catholic tours allow participants to feel the presence of St. Francis as you walk the hills of Assisi, experience the life and sacrifice of St. Catherine in Siena, or honor the legacy of St. Peter, which is alive in the person of the Pope in the Vatican. Make your Catholic Pilgrimage a true spiritual pilgrimage by participating in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome or in one of the other major basilicas or churches found in Italy and throughout the world. Our Catholic tours and itineraries can ignite your heart with the same missionary zeal that moved saints like Ignatius of Loyola, Vincent de Paul, Francis de Sales, Francis Xavier, Joan of Arc, Bridget, Faustina, and St. Therese of Lisieux.

Few experiences provide you with such life-changing opportunities as a Catholic Pilgrimage. These are a feast for the eyes, a challenge for the heart, and a means of true spiritual nourishment for your soul. With Casterbridge, every Catholic Pilgrimage is specifically designed to cater to the needs and spiritual objectives of your group. For over 30 years, Casterbridge Church Tours has been helping groups create truly spiritual Catholic pilgrimages that are suited to the unique needs of their particular parish. Maybe you would like to take a spiritual pilgrimage to learn more about a religious community that services your church. Catholic tours can celebrate milestone anniversaries or allow your church members to participate in a worldwide event that will enable you to meet with Catholics from across the globe. Whatever the event, your Catholic pilgrimage will include all the elements necessary for an incredible spiritual journey.