The Mass, or celebration of the Eucharist, is the principal liturgical action in the Catholic Church. It is the central action and aspect of our lives of faith and the primary way we worship God as a community. The word “Mass” comes from the Latin word, missa meaning “mission” or “sending” because the liturgy is meant to send forth the faithful to deliver the Good News of Jesus and to be his sacramental presence in the world.
Jesus Christ revealed the Mass at the Last Supper. It was the last action He took to prepare the Twelve Apostles before his death. First Corinthians, which contains the earliest account of the Eucharist, reveals what the Last Supper meant for the Church’s future: Jesus foresaw a long time during which his presence would be invisible to his followers. With his words “Do this in memory of me” he intended that the events of the Last Supper would be repeated again and again so that through this re-enactment Jesus would be intimately present to his people for generations to come.
Resources:
101 Questions about the Mass (Thy Kingdom Come)
Daily Mass Readings (USCCB)
Find Mass times at a parish in your area
Roman Missal, Third Edition