Fidelium Missa

Mass of the Faithful. Under the Arcani Disciplina (q.v.) the catechumens were not permitted to partake of the Lord's Supper with the faithful (q.v.): they were allowed to join with them, in worship only until the offertory. Then the deacon gave a signal to the catechumens to leave the church, saying Ite, missa est," Depart, the assembly is dismissed." Hence arose the twofold missa, namely, the missa catechumenorum and the missa fidelium; the former meaning that portion of the public worship which was performed before the dismissal of the catechumens, and the latter that portion which was continued until the communicants went away.-Bingham, Orig. Eccl. bk. 13:ch. i, § 3; bk. 15:ch. i, § 1; Farrar, Dictionary, s.v. SEE MASS.