Dear Friends at Catholic Scripture Study:
I am part of a Bible study group using your materials on Ephesians. In response to what we’ve been discussing, my parish RCIA director claimed there is no evidence that St. Paul celebrated Mass. I thought Paul offered instruction on the Lord’s Supper in Corinthians. I’ve tried finding out if her claim is true or not on other Catholic sites, but I couldn’t find any information on this topic. Did St. Paul celebrate Mass or not?
Thank you,
Kathleen
Dear Kathleen,
From a Catholic perspective, there are two basic ways we can argue Paul celebrated Mass. First, as Scripture provides, Paul was an apostle (Col. 1:1). As such, he was a bishop and thus enjoyed the fullness of the priesthood (see Catechism of the Catholic Church, nos. 861-62, 1555-61). As the Book of Hebrews teaches, the primary function of a priest is to offer sacrifice (cf. Heb. 8:3). Considering this evidence alone, it does not make sense to argue that Paul was a priest but never actually celebrated Mass, especially in light of his passionate teaching on the subject in 1 Corinthians 10 and 11: “The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Cor. 10:16-17).
Second, the Church teaches that St. Paul celebrated Mass. In the section on the Eucharist in the Catechism, the Church explains that the Mass was known by various titles, including “the breaking of the bread,” a phrase used to describe Paul's liturgical celebration in Troas recorded in Acts 20:7-12. “[I]t is this expression that the first Christians will use to designate their Eucharistic assemblies,” Catechism, no. 1329 teaches. An accompanying footnote (no. 147) cites various Scripture passages, including Acts 20:7 and 20:11. Similarly, the Catechism elsewhere links Paul's liturgical celebration with its teaching on the Mass, noting that “it was above all on 'the first day of the week,' Sunday, the day of Jesus' resurrection, that the Christians met 'to break bread'” (no. 1343, citing Acts 20:7).
United in the Faith,
Thomas J. Nash
Senior Information Specialist
Catholics United for the Faith
827 North Fourth Street
Steubenville, OH 43952
800-MY-FAITH (800-693-2484)
Kathleen,
A small clarification: I mentioned two basic ways to argue that St. Paul celebrated Mass. To be more specific, I would say “two basic, biblically based ways,” because one could argue from the writings of the early Church Fathers, for example, that St. Paul celebrated Mass. A small point, but it's a worthwhile distinction to convey that there is evidence beyond the Bible that St. Paul celebrated Mass, although I think the biblical arguments are most fundamental and therefore the primary ones I would use in making the case to your RCIA director. As noted in the letter, these biblical arguments are affirmed by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the support of which should be persuasive with your RCIA director and your pastor.
God bless you in your efforts. Call our toll-free helpline if we can be of further service: (800) MY FAITH (693-2484).
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