- Why do some Masses start outside the church?
Masses always begin in the narthex or vestibule of the temple, as this is the place where the entrance procession begins. It is made up of the priest accompanied by the deacon and optionally the ministers who will participate in the liturgical acts of the Mass (GIRM 47). But there are certain Masses in which the ceremony begins in the narthex itself or even outside the temple, we almost always participate in three of them, which are centered on events in the life of our Lord Jesus Christ:
- The Easter Vigil Mass begins with the liturgy of light or Lucernarium, with a “blazing fire”. The priest blesses the new Paschal candle that will be used until the next Easter and lights it up from the blazing fire. Then the priest enters a temple in darkness with the lighted Paschal candle, lighting and bringing the light of Christ to the assembly. This signifies the resurrection of Jesus Christ, the light of the world. (Celebration of Easter Feasts Letter 80)
- The Palm Sunday Mass begins with the blessing of the palms, and processing into the church. This recalls the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into the Holy City of Jerusalem at the beginning of Holy Week. (CEFL 29)
- The Candlemas Mass, which is celebrated on February 2 in memory of the presentation of Jesus to the temple following Jewish law. The priest blesses the candles and then the assembly lights them up before entering the nave of the temple (Roman Missal, Proper of Saints, February). Thus, recalling the entrance to the temple of the light of the world, our Lord Jesus Christ.
There is also another mass that starts and is partially celebrated in the narthex. This liturgy has roots in the early tradition of the Church, it is the Mass where the Rite of Entry into the Order of Catechumens (Order of Christian Initiation of Adults 48) is held, where the initial rites of the Mass are replaced by the Rite of Entrance (OCIA 44). It is in this Mass that those sympathizers of the Catholic faith who have decided to continue with their catechesis in order to receive their sacraments of initiation: Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Communion, are welcomed. It is during this rite that the sympathizers not only receive the blessing, but also the “Ephphatha” (Mark 7:34), which is Aramaic for “Be opened!”, where the now catechumens receive the sign of the cross upon the various senses (OCIA 56). Once the Rite of Entrance is completed and the supporters have been welcomed into the Church (OCIA 60), the procession proceeds, but not under an entrance hymn, but with the Gloria (OCIA 44), indicating that the assembly rejoices not only in God’s grace, but also that the gospel continues to draw people to salvation through Jesus Christ
Let us celebrate with faith and joy each of these liturgies centered on our Lord Jesus Christ, whether in main events of His life or in having met Him, since they are part of our Catholic traditions and enrich worship.
