why it's important

The Mass is at the heart of the Catholic Church. It conveys the depth of Catholic theology, especially in the Eucharist, which is at its center. Rich in symbolism, the Mass provides a deeply sacred moment for those who participate in it, and even sometimes for those who merely observe it.

The Second Vatican Council called the Eucharist “the source and summit of the Christian life.” For Catholics the Mass is the central act of worship. It is the eucharistic sacrifice in which Catholics (and Eastern Orthodox churches) believe that bread and wine are really and truly transformed into Christ’s body and blood and then shared among those assembled. The Mass is described in classic and modern Catholic literature both as a sacrifice and as a banquet—celebrating both Christ’s salvific passion and death for all humankind and the joyful anticipation of living with God in a heavenly banquet.