The Healing Effect of the Mass and Divine Liturgy
by Most Reverend William C. Skurla, D.D.
Metropolitan Archbishop of Pittsburgh
During the past year, the pandemic, social tension, and political polarization have combined to create illness, fear, social upheaval, despair, and death. Normally, the Roman Mass and Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy have been places of refuge and healing during similar difficult times. The virus has prevented one of the most powerful sources of healing. Unlike, after 911 when the churches were filled, the stark images of celebrations of Easter within empty churches deepened the sense of hopelessness and fear. As with most good things we take for granted, we do not realize the healing effect of the Mass and Divine Liturgy until is taken away.
During the last year, we all have had time to reflect upon how we missed the in person celebration of the Eucharist. The healing effects of the common celebration of the Eucharist bring healing on at least three different levels. Healing comes through the individual experience of the celebration, the social level of prayer for others, and the mysterious connection to the Divine.
Individual Response to Prayer
Every time an individual participates in a joyous Roman Mass or an Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgy, he or she feels better. No matter if we enter the smallest chapel or the largest cathedral, we enter the sacred space and see the religious art that tells us that we have entered a holy place. The most extreme example is to step from the noise of the traffic on New York City’s Fifth Avenue and to go into Saint Patrick Cathedral. Our ears enter the quiet before they are enveloped with the music and words which are different from those of our normal life.
The shift from the experience of our normal daily life to praying in a holy space gives us a healing by using a different part of mind which is engaged when we pray. The celebration of any Mass or Divine Liturgy, like quiet meditation, can bring about emotional and psychological healing for each person who attends. Weekly or daily prayer deepens the calm level, promotes healing, and extends one’s life.
The Prayer for the Needs of the Community
The second way that the Mass heals is through the prayers and litanies with intercessions in which we offer prayers for peace, healing, and forgiveness. The Roman Mass presents one set of intentions following the Gospel. In the Eastern Christian Churches there are several litanies for every possible need including healing. In all Catholic liturgies, the prayers call us to move from the focus on ourselves to concern for others.
We pray for peace in the whole world and for national and local political governments. We hope that our prayers will transform our leaders and people with security and justice for all peoples and races. Peace can serve as the foundation for working together to build a better world. It is hard to care for others when you do not feel safe in your own neighborhood or home.
We directly pray for the improvement of our heath and the health of those who are ill. We hope that God will intervene, but we are reminded to participate in the healing process by visiting and assisting the aged and infirmed. Our verbal prayers transform our hearts to allow us to become agents of healing.
The prayers directly before approaching the altar to receive communion remind us of our need for forgiveness. In the Roman Church we request that the Lamb of God have mercy on us. In the Eastern Church we ask for mercy upon the sinner. This request for the Lord’s mercy is repeated during the Divine Liturgy and all services. We are all sinners and without the Lord’s mercy we are lost.
Mystical Healing of the Eucharistic
The third healing that takes place through the reception of holy Eucharist goes way beyond personal and societal healing. When we receive the sacred body and blood of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, we are sanctified and lifted beyond this world to the eternal. As with all sacramental mysteries, we make contact with the divine.
In the Roman Mass the priest says: “Behold the Lamb of God, behold him who takes away the sins of the world. Blessed are those called to the supper of the Lamb.” And the people answer: “Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed.”
Upon distribution in the Eastern Divine Liturgy, the celebrant says, to each recipient “The servant of God, (Name), partakes of the precious, most holy, and most pure body and blood of our Lord, God, and Savior Jesus Christ for the remission of (his-her) sins and for life everlasting. Amen”
Both prayers remind us that we are changed by the reception of the Eucharist. The prayer of our Venerable Church Father John Damascene explains to us what happens when the faithful receive communion. The reception transforms the person.
“God, my God, all-consuming invisible fire, you make your angels flaming fire. In your inexpressible love, you have condescended to give me your divine flesh. You have allowed me to partake of your divinity by possessing your most pure body and precious blood. May they penetrate my entire body and spirit and all my bones. May they burn away my sins, enlighten my soul, and brighten my understanding. May they sanctify me, making a dwelling-place in me so that I too may be in you forever, with your blessed Father, and Your All-Holy Spirit, through the prayers of your most pure Mother and of all your saints. Amen.”
For those who have been celebrating virtually or have been unable to receive, the actual reception of the body and blood of Christ can reawaken our first memories of our first communion. It can also make up for our lack of individual or societal peace. The reception gives us a taste of the eternal banquet to come when we join all the faithful who have gone before us. The quiet divine presence stays with us as we participate in bringing healing to the world.
