A Look at the Mass: The Entrance Procession

The Church recognizes two types of sacred places, the church building and cemeteries. This is because they are both consecrated for a sacred use, which at its center consists of prayer. It is appropriate then, that sacred functions in both places begin with a procession.

For the most part, we understand the importance of the funeral procession; we are accompanying the body to its resting place before the Resurrection of the Dead and to give it our final farewell. There's even an order to it - the body and clergy and family immediately following it. Plus, if you're in Omaha, Nebraska you get the most amazing police cars to clear traffic for the procession. Go to a funeral in Omaha to see that, it was one of the most amazing experiences of my life. 

Why don't we attach the same importance to the Entrance Procession at Mass? Why don't we ever say seeing it was one of the most amazing experiences of our lives? 

I think the main reason for this is that, unfortunately, it is often unimpressive and, far too often, poorly done. Additionally, I believe there is a mentality that as long as you arrive at Mass around the time the priest reaches the altar, you're all good. 

I hold that both of those reasons are destructive to a proper liturgical spirit. Processions were an important part of the ancient world. We maintain a remnant of the grand processions of the ancient world in our concept of parades. Ancient civilizations, especially Rome, would hold military processions in order to show off their nation's power. North Korea and China continue this today. The emperor of Rome would travel in procession in order to highlight his importance to the people. And, as stated above, the funeral procession highlights the importance of the person we are saying our final farewell to. 

This idea then, of importance, is essential to the procession. Those who have watched the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City know the importance of seeing Santa at the end of it, but you don't just go to see Santa, you go to see all of the floats. Both of these ideas need to be transferred to our concept of the entrance procession at Mass. 

The procession ends with the priest in order to highlight his importance. True, he is a human, but he is also endowed with an indelible seal which configures him to Christ, and what he is about to do is the highest dignity man has been given, to act in persona Christi. We pay him the honor of a procession, because he is necessary for the sanctification of our souls. 

Nevertheless, we also need to pay the other parts of the procession their due. A cross, candle/torch bearers, and incense all add to the dignity of ceremony in their inclusion. Think of it in terms of a wedding; people want their wedding in a beautiful location with fancy lights a nice theme. The same should go for the Wedding Feast of the Lamb; all the "smells and bells" add dignity to the ceremony. When you see a full fledged procession at the start of Mass, you know what is about to happen is important. Hardly anyone would go to the Macy's Parade if it was only Santa walking down Sixth Avenue. 

The same, in a sense, holds true for Mass. When the procession is unimpressive and doesn't include anyone but the celebrant, people see the priest as the only important person, and will start out unimpressed by the Mass. Of course, there are instances where a full procession is impractical, but this should be the exception, not the norm. Instead, including the lector and others highlights their importance.

There is, additionally, another idea I wish to propose. The entrance procession is important because it also symbolizes the procession of our souls to the altar of God. We join in the Sacrifice of the Cross at Mass, and the procession is a chance to gather our thoughts and affections and direct them toward God. 

When the servers and priest "run" down the aisle, this ability to gather oneself is lost. You blink, and the procession is over! Rather, a reverent procession, accompanied by a hymn or the Entrance Antiphon, with an appropriate amount of people, reminds the faithful what is about to happen and gather themselves. 

To highlight this, I think of two of my favorite events of the year, the Chrism Mass and Ordinations. To see all of the priests of the Diocese processing into the Cathedral to celebrate Mass awakens in me feelings of affection for all they have done, both for the Church and me specifically, but it also makes me thankful to God for the great gift of the Priesthood.

Let us then work, to encourage boys to serve at Mass, so that we can see a full procession. Not only is this good for vocations, it is good because it allows us a chance to enter more meditatively into the Mass.  

Most importantly, though, let us remember the opening words to the Extraordinary Form in the Prayers at the Foot of the Altar: "I will go unto the altar of God, to God who giveth joy to my youth (Psalm 42:4)."