placed by the Regina Coelli

THE DISMISSAL

The deacon dismisses the people. In fact, the dismissal gives the liturgy its name. The word "Mass" comes from the Latin word, "Missa." At one time, the people were dismissed with the words of "Ite, misse est," meaning "Go, you are sent." The word "missa" comes from the word "missio," the root of the English word "mission." The liturgy does not simply come to an end. We do not just go home from Mass the way we go home from a movie or a baseball game. We are sent forth on a mission.

But what is this mission? We are sent forth to bring the fruits of the Eucharist to the world. As we conform our lives more closely to Christ, we must become like his instruments in the world. We should seek ways to bring Christ's healing, justice, and peace to the world around us. Our response says it all: Thanks be to God.