“I think the Mass is the most important thing that anyone could ever do on the surface of the Earth,” said Father Tom Margevicius, director of the Office of Worship for the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis. “It involves not only one’s individual piety, but the whole drama of the salvation of the human race.”
Everyone wants to get to heaven regardless of “who we are, where we’re from,” Father Margevicius said. God has chosen the Mass as the most fruitful way to make that happen, he said.
Father Tom Margevicius
Father Margevicius made his comments to “Practicing Catholic” radio show host Patrick Conley during an interview to kick off a monthly series for the program called “Mass Class,” with Father Margevicius explaining features of the Mass. The first topic addresses the liturgy and how to participate in it.
All liturgy has a twofold movement, Father Margevicius said: what the people do, vis a vis God, and what God does, vis a vis the people. If God has decided to save people through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that reality is made present in the liturgy, then there’s nothing more effective at saving everyone than the liturgy, Father Margevicius said. God is working for everyone’s salvation, and the part of the people is to respond, he said.
“The Church wants us to participate fully and actively in the liturgy so that the fruits of salvation God wants to give actually ‘take’ in our lives and make a difference in how we live,” he said.
Father Margevicius also provided a teaser for next week’s episode of “Mass Class”: It will address the entrance rites. When does Mass actually begin? Is it when the priest says “in the name of the Father,” or when he enters the sanctuary, or when the song begins? “Or maybe it’s when the server rings that little bell in the back of the church,” he said. Tune in next week to find out.
People can suggest topics or questions to address in future episodes of “Mass Class” by leaving a voicemail message at 651-251-7737.
To learn more about the liturgy discussed in this week’s show and plans for the “Mass Class” series, listen to the full interview. This episode of “Practicing Catholic” debuts at 9 p.m. June 3 on Relevant Radio 1330 AM and repeats at 1 p.m. June 4 and 2 p.m. June 5.
Produced by Relevant Radio and the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, the latest show also includes interviews with Angela Franey, executive director of Abria Pregnancy Resources, who describes supporting women and families facing crisis pregnancies and building a culture of life; and Father Spencer Howe, pastor, and Sam Backman, director of sacred music, at Holy Cross in northeast Minneapolis, who discuss an upcoming eucharistic procession that’s taken place for 17 years.
Listen to their interviews after they have aired:
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