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Malakal – Al-Wadi Newspaper
As part of the ongoing Catholic Youth Conference organized by the Diocese of Malakal, the fourth lecture was held on Monday, June 17, under the theme “The Holy Mass.” The session was delivered by Sister Elizabeth Kanini Modoni and witnessed a large turnout of youth and faithful interested in spiritual and liturgical formation.
The lecture began with a comprehensive definition of the Holy Mass, described as a “memorial celebration of the sacrifice of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Sister Elizabeth explained that the Mass consists of a series of spiritual stages that reflect the life and teachings of Christ, starting from the entrance of the priest to the final blessings.
She went on to detail each stage of the Mass:
- First Stage: Introductory Rites, beginning with the entrance of the priest and altar servers accompanied by hymns of praise, followed by the penitential act and general confession.
- Second Stage: Liturgy of the Word, including two Scripture readings, the proclamation of the Gospel, the homily, the recitation of the Nicene Creed, and the Prayers of the Faithful.
- Third Stage: Presentation of the Gifts, during which the bread and wine are offered with suitable hymns and prayers over the offerings.
- Fourth Stage: Eucharistic Prayer, the core of the Mass, where the bread and wine are consecrated and become the Body and Blood of Christ, interspersed with the communal hymn “Holy, Holy, Holy.”
- Fifth Stage: Communion Rite, which begins with the recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, followed by the sign of peace, and then the distribution of Holy Communion to the faithful.
- Sixth Stage: Concluding Rites, where the priest gives the final blessing and the Mass ends with a closing hymn.
Sister Elizabeth emphasized the profound spiritual significance of each part of the Mass, underscoring the importance of understanding its theological and liturgical meanings. She affirmed that such understanding deepens the faithful’s engagement and spiritual experience during the celebration.
It is worth noting that the Catholic Youth Conference in Malakal Diocese spans several days, featuring spiritual lectures, workshops, and interactive sessions aimed at forming a committed and faith-rooted Catholic youth generation.
Christ the King Parish – Malakia continues to oversee the program’s organization, with noticeable enthusiasm and participation from attendees—reflecting a strong desire among the youth to deepen their understanding of Church liturgy and integrate it into their daily lives.
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