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Bible Dictionaries
Mary, the Blessed Virgin
The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia
or (See BLESSED VIRGIN MARY.)
Mass—The old name for the Sacrament of the Holy Communion, being a corruption of the Latin, Ite, Missa est, meaning "the people are now dismissed." "This name was retained in the Prayer Book of 1549, the title of the Office being 'The Supper of the Lord, and the Holy Communion, commonly called the Mass.'" In the Prayer Book of 1552 the word "Mass" was dropped and has not since appeared in the Prayer Book, and in consequence has become generally disused. The term, however, is still retained in popular usage as in the words Christmas, Michaelmas, etc. The Swedish and also the German Reformers retained the name "Mass" for the principal service of the Church, whether it did or did not include a Celebration of the Holy Communion.
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Miller, William James. Entry for 'Mary, the Blessed Virgin'. The American Church Dictionary and Cyclopedia. https://www.studylight.org/dictionaries/eng/acd/m/mary-the-blessed-virgin.html. 1901.
