"Ite, missa est" — Go, the Mass is ended. Dr. Brant Pitre unpacks the final blessing and dismissal, and why this ancient phrase gave the Mass its very name.
Ite Missa Est: The Meaning of the Final Blessing and Dismissal
The Mass closes with the priest's blessing — "May almighty God bless you, the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit" — and the dismissal, Ite, missa est, "Go forth, the Mass is ended." Dr. Pitre shows how the final blessing echoes the high-priestly blessing of Aaron coming out of the tabernacle (Leviticus 9:22-23) and the risen Jesus lifting his hands to bless the disciples before the Ascension (Luke 24:50-52). He examines the mystical link between "Go in peace" and Jesus' words to the woman with the hemorrhage (Mark 5:30-34), then traces the dismissal through the Apostolic Constitutions, Ordo Romanus I, St. Robert Bellarmine, and Amalar of Metz — culminating in the Catechism's teaching that the word "Mass" itself comes from the missio, the sending forth of the faithful.
Key passages & sources examined: Leviticus 9:22-23; Luke 24:50-52; Mark 5:30-34; Roman Missal, Order of Mass nos. 140-144; Apostolic Constitutions 8.15; Ordo Romanus I no. 124; St. Robert Bellarmine, De Eucharistia 5-6; Amalar of Metz, On the Liturgy 3.36; St. Augustine, Sermons 62.5; CCC 1332.
What does "Ite, missa est" mean? Literally "Go, it is the dismissal" / "Go, it is sent." Dr. Pitre explains why this phrase is the origin of the English word "Mass" (Latin missio).
How is the final blessing connected to the Ascension? The session links the priest's blessing to the risen Jesus blessing his disciples with lifted hands before ascending (Luke 24:50-52), following Amalar of Metz.
Why does the Mass end with "Go in peace"? The video draws out the mystagogical connection between the dismissal and Christ's "go in peace" to the woman healed by touching his garment (Mark 5).
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This is some outstanding advice for couples who are struggling in todays world and toxic culture. If you want to begin healing, find peace or just looking for advice; this is highly recommended.
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These are even more than I’d anticipated. I learned lots of interesting stuff but better than that, I was able to participate, to be present in Mass, in a deeper way the last two weeks. Thank you so much. And I’ve also told a friend about Dr. Pitre’s work. Thanks again, Patty Brown
This is a subscription where the content is accessed online through your account. Once logged in, you can access everything by going to 'Mass Readings Explained' in the main menu bar of our website, then 'Watch Videos' and then pick one of the options there. The calendar view works well for finding those Mass Readings that are in the near future and The Mass Explained will take you to videos in that series.
This is some outstanding advice for couples who are struggling in todays world and toxic culture. If you want to begin healing, find peace or just looking for advice; this is highly recommended.
The Mass Explained and the Mass Readings Explained
These are even more than I’d anticipated. I learned lots of interesting stuff but better than that, I was able to participate, to be present in Mass, in a deeper way the last two weeks. Thank you so much. And I’ve also told a friend about Dr. Pitre’s work. Thanks again, Patty Brown
