What did the first Christians believe about the Eucharist? How did they follow Jesus’command, “Do this in remembrance of me?” How did they celebrate the Lord's Day? What would they recognize in today's Mass? The answers may surprise you.
In The Mass of the Early Christians, author Mike Aquilina reveals the Church’s most ancient Eucharistic beliefs and practices. Using the words of the early Christians themselves—from many documents and inscriptions—Aquilina traces the Mass’s history from Jesus’ lifetime through the fourth century. The Mass stood at the center of the Church’s life, evident in the Scriptures as well as the earliest Christian sermons, letters, artwork, tombstones, and architecture. Even the pagans bore witness to the Mass in the records of their persecutions.
In these legacies from the early Church, you’ll hear and taste and see the same worship Catholics know today: the altar, the priests, the chalice of wine, the bread, the Sign of the Cross . . . the Lord, have mercy . . . the Holy, holy, holy . . . and the Communion. And you’ll see vividly how Jesus followed through on his promise to be with us always, until the end of time.