Do you know the meaning of the Entrance Procession before Mass?

Everything the Church does at Mass, from the Entrance Procession to the Recession, has a purpose. Do you know the meaning of the Entrance Procession?

Did you now it symbolizes your journey and my journey?

The Entrance Procession is more than just a nice, beautiful beginning to the Mass. It symbolizes the church's pilgrimage toward heaven. That means, it symbolizes your journey and my journey toward heaven. It is a physical symbol of the path we trod that is moving away from the secular world and into a divine Presence, a Divine Eternity, with the Lord of Lord. It is a reminder that we are moving away from the sins, trials, tribulations, and confinements of this world and toward the eternal life with God.

The Entrance Procession is more than just the start of Mass. It creates a sense of unity among Catholics and reminds us that we are all in this journey together and we are all walking this road together. It's a shared spiritual journey.

There is a specific order to the Procession and the Order is symbolic as well. Do you know the symbolism for it all? There are 6 parts to the Procession: The incense (if it is used), Cross Bearer (Crucifer), Candler Bearers, Ministers and Readers, Book of the Gospes, and The Priest. Did you each component has a purpose?

1.) The Incense: If the incense is used (and it is not always used of course), it is a symbol that our prayers and intentions are rising toward the Lord God and signifies the sanctification of the sacred place where Mass is being held. It is a reminder of the holiness of Mass.

2.) Cross Bearer (also called Crucifer): The cross has become some recognizable that we hardly stop to take note and ask ourselves why it is present. It just seems lie it should always be there, but did you know it has a purpose and meaning in the Procession? It is the sign of salvation. Christ died on the cross for our sins. That is the path we walk for salvation because without His sacrifice on the Cross we have no salvation. The cross leads the Procession to show that all worship flows from Christ's sacrifice. Without the sacrifice of Christ, there is no reason for worship. With the sacrifice of Christ, there is no reason NOT to worship. It is also a strong reminder, in contrast to what our Protestant brothers and sisters believe, that the faithful follow the cross - not the priest.

3.) Candle Bearers: Jesus says, in John 8:12, that "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Christ is the light of the world. Candles represent the Lord. It represents the Messiah - the Light of the World. The candle bearers flank the cross to highlight its glory and signify the faith that illuminates the path to God. Jesus is the light. We follow the light. We follow Jesus.

4.) Ministers and Readers: Altar servers and lectors follow in an orderly line in the Procession. These readers and altar servers play an integral role in the Mass. The altar servers ensure the Mass is showed reverance and honor by the way the vessels are handled and the Mass flows. The lectors will read from Sacred Scripture, proclaiming Scripture to all that hear.

5.) Book of the Gospels: The Book of the Gospels is carried by the deacon, or a reader in the absence of a deacon, to highlight and showcare the honor that is the coming Word of Christ. The Gospels are the Words of Christ. It is the story of the life that Jesus lived, the message He proclaimed, and the words he preached. It is the Gospel.....It is Jesus' words.

6.) The Priest: The procession order is a reminder that the priest is last, not first. There is a purpose for this because our Protestant brothers and sisters would say we act as if the priest is God. That is incorrect and simply not true. The priest presides in Christ's person. He is the binding that brings the community of believers together and he enters last to show that he is the final, unifying minister and the one that leads the Eucharistic Prayer. He is not first in place of honor. He is behind Christ and a follower of Christ like all of us. His entrance after the cross and Gospel emphasizes that truth - the priest follows Jesus just like the rest of the faithful believers. 

Once the Procession arrives at the altar, everyone bows to acknowledge Christ is present in the tabernacle. The entire message of the Procession is that everything moves toward and is directed toward following Christ -  not anyone on earth. It is a preparation for the celebration of the Mass. It is a preparation of our hearts for The Word and The Eucharist.

Beautiful isn't it?