Special
The “Gregorian Chant” is named to honor St. Gregory’s patient labor in restoring the ancient chant.
The History of the Roman Catholic Mass: Part II Guest Columnist Father Wilmer Todd
(This is part two of a series of articles on the history of the Roman Catholic Mass.) From the 2nd to the 4th centuries, the celebration of the Eucharist continued mostly in homes based on the writings of several persons: St. Ignatius of Antioch
(35-108 A.D.), St. Justin Martyr (100165 A.D.), and St. Hippolytus (170-236 A.D.). St. Hippolytus was a Roman priest and the most prolific religious writer of the church until the time of Constantine. His greatest work is the Apostolic Tradition that many scholars regard as the first real liturgical document outlining what was done and said in the liturgy. It features the first text of a Eucharistic Prayer. Today’s Eucharistic Prayer II was modeled after the Eucharistic Prayer of St. Hippolytus. In October 312 A.D., the Emperor Constantine was marching into battle when he looked at the sky and saw
18 • Bayou Catholic • Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux • December 2021
a cross over the sun with the words “in this sign, you will conquer.” Constantine attributed his victory to the Christian God. Later, in February 313 A.D., Constantine (the Western Roman Emperor) and Licinius (the Eastern Roman Emperor) signed an agreement in Milan that ended the persecution of Christians within the entire Roman Empire. Because of this Edict of Milan, many people felt free to join the church, and the Mass gravitated from private homes and the Catacombs to public buildings. Constantine took great interest in Christianity and promoted the rites and ceremonies for
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