The Sending
The Mass ends with a blessing – the Sign of the Cross. But
the Latin dismissal, “Ite, missa est.” The dismissal is more than
just saying, “It’s okay to go now.” This is a sending out. A sending
out with a mission.
There are four different options for the dismissal.
“Go forth, the Mass is ended.”
“Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord.”
“Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life.”
“Go in peace.”
You see, for Catholics, the end of the Mass is not really an ending
at all; it is a beginning. Having just been fed by the Word of God
and the Body and Blood of Christ, we are sent out into the world
to share the graces we have just received. After all, why would
anyone want to keep this to themselves? Think of it like this: if you
just had the most incredible meal of your life, wouldn’t you want
to share that with your family and friends? How much more so
should it be with the greatest meal in all eternity!?
So as we respond with “Thanks be to God,” we sing a hymn and
take Jesus to the world. Amen! Alleluia!
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even after this final blessing, the priest or deacon gives what
is called the dismissal. The word Mass actually comes from
Notes