Father Fessio in Five

Fr. Fessio points out that the priest and the congregation offer the same sacrifice to God the Father.

Fr. Fessio explains the ritual and prayer that the priest says when he washes his hands at Mass.

Fr. Fessio unpacks a short but powerful prayer that the priest says at every Mass.

Even the simplest prayer in the Mass can hold incredible meaning, and in this episode Fr. Fessio explains how the commingling prayer reveals the meaning of suffering.

Fr. Fessio explains why a priest mixes water and wine at Offertory in Mass.

Fr. Fessio points out how the process of wine making and yeast fermentation is like the life of a Christian.  

Fr. Fessio points out the often overlook properties of water that make life possible.

While the prayers of the old Latin Rite are beautiful, Fr. Fessio prefers the prayers of the Offertory in the Novus Ordo Rite, and in this episode he explains why.

Why do we sacrifice things to God, if he does not need it? Does God take please in us destroying things? Using the words of his teacher Pope Benedict, Fr. Fessio explains why we worship God and make sacrifices to Him.

Fr. Fessio explains why bread and wine are apt foods to be transubstantiated into Jesus Body and Blood.

This part of the Mass is easily overlooked, but it is an important part of the Liturgy where we give our gifts to God and His Church. 

Due to unforeseen circumstances, Fr. Fessio could not record his normal episode on the Mass. We will continue with the Mass series soon, but for now please enjoy this unreleased clip from one of his recent discussions with Mark. Thanks for your patience!

Beginning the second half of the Mass, Fr. Fessio discusses the transition from the Liturgy of the Word to the Liturgy of the Eucharist.

Today, Fr. Fessio concludes his reflections on the first half of the Mass by commenting on the prayers of the faithful. In the next episode, Fr. Fessio starts his reflection on the second half of the Mass—the Liturgy of the Eucharist. 

Fr. Fessio goes through the main beliefs articulated in the Nicene Creed.

We say the Nicene Creed at every Mass, but what is it and how did it come about? Fr. Fessio explains . . .

Fr. Fessio explains the ancient roots of the homily from the Old Testament, to Christ, to the early bishops.

We have reached the highpoint of the first part of the Mass—the proclamation of the Gospel. Fr. Fessio explains the lesser-known prayers surrounding this beautiful part of the liturgy.

Fr. Fessio explains the significance of the Alleluia and the movement of the priest to the ambo for the Gospel.

Fr. Fessio explains how a single woman was the origin of the Corpus Christi Feast and the famous prayer and hymn Tantum Ergo.

The Easter sequence was recently sung at the Easter liturgies, but what are these “sequences” and what happened to the rest of them? In this episode, Fr. Fessio explains. . . .

Fr. Fessio explains the development of the modern-day responsorial psalm from the psalms, gradual, and Schola Cantorum.

One of the common responses in the liturgy is “Deo Gratias.” And in this episode, Fr. Fessio reveals the lesser-known meaning of this phrase.

Did you know that there is a three-year cycle to the readings and that the first reading is always connected to the Gospel? In this episode, Fr. Fessio explains why.

Fr. Fessio provides a detailed explanation of the development of the ambo and the Liturgy of the Word.

Today, Fr. Fessio begins his discussion of the Liturgy of the Word by outlining the development of the Liturgy of the Word. He explains how this part of the Mass has its roots in Jewish ceremonies and then how it developed over time from the earlier part of the Church until now.

The collect has not only changed since Vatican II, but it has changed throughout the history of the Church. In this episode, Fr. Fessio explains what the development of the Collect from the very beginning of the Church.

Fr. Fessio explains the opening "Collect" prayer and how it has changed over the years.

Fr. Fessio reveals the dynamic movement that takes place in the second half of the Gloria that we sing at Mass.

Fr. Fessio explains the historical and Scriptural origin and meaning of the Gloria.

Fr. Fessio explains the only Greek phrase we say at Mass.

In this episode, Fr. Fessio discusses the forgiveness we receive at every Mass.

Fr. Fessio explains the lesser known connection between the Mass and the Divine Office or the Liturgy of the Hours, which traditionally lead to the Mass being celebrated at a specific time.

Fr. Fessio explains the Confiteor at the beginning of the Mass.

Since Vatican II, the use of Latin in Mass has radically decline. . . . But in this episode, Fr. Fessio reviews what Vatican II said about using Latin at Mass.

In the not-so-distant past, the Church began saying “and with your spirit” instead of “and with you.” In this episode Fr. Fessio explains these opening words of the Mass.

Have you ever reflected on why we begin the Mass with the sign of the Cross? Fr. Fessio explains the deep significance behind this often overlooked opening.

Father Fessio begins to unpack the beginning of the Mass by reflecting the priest’s first action in the Mass—he kisses the altar.

Ever wonder what is the significance of the priest’s vestments? In this episode, Fr. Fessio explains what these vestments are and symbolism behind them.

We all call the Liturgy of the Eucharist, the “Mass” but many of us don’t know why. . . . So Fr. Fessio explains this term and the other terms used to identify this sacrament.

Fr. Fessio explains the third dimension of the Mass—the personal dimension—using the events on the road to Emmaus.

Fr. Fessio describes the second dimension of the Mass—the cosmic dimension. Fr. Fessio explains how Christ is the center of this dimension.

There are three dimensions to the Mass: the historical, the cosmic, and the personal. And in this episode, Fr. Fessio outlines the historical dimension of the Mass by examining the Old Testament and the life of Christ. Get your copy of The Mass of Vatican II: https://ignatius.com/mass-of-vatican-ii-mv2p/?searchid=3424209&search_query=the+mass+of+vatican+II

Fr. Fessio is beginning a series on the Mass, and today he explains the difference between “old” vs the “new” Mass and which he will follow going forward in this series. Get your copy of The Mass of Vatican II: https://ignatius.com/mass-of-vatican-ii-mv2p/?searchid=3424209&search_query=the+mass+of+vatican+II

Today’s episode marks the beginning of Fr. Fessio’s series on the Mass. In this episode, he explains how the Mass is central in the sacramental order.

Fr. Fessio explains what “oremus invicem,” “ad majorem dei gloriam,” and “amor meus pondus meum” mean and why you should use the often.

Fr. Fessio points out how many holy people are like the Holy Family both in their life of grace and often in their obscurity.  

Fr. Fessio examines the original Hebrew for two passages in Scripture. In each case, the original language reveals more than our English translation.

Fr. Fessio points out that in Hebrew the word “faith” means something a bit different than it does in English.

Fr. Fessio explains the Latin phrase Pax huic domui and its response Et omnibus habitantibus in ea.