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The Last Supper
The Last Supper is the start of the Eucharist, where Jesus gave the disciples bread with the words, “This is my body,” and wine with the words, “This is my blood.” The story of the institution of the Eucharist by Jesus on the night before his Crucifixion is reported in four books of the New Testament (Matthew 26:26–28; Mark 14:22–24; Luke 22:17–20; and I Corinthians 11:23–25). -
Period: 33 to 110
Apostolic Period
The apostles, after Jesus' death, took Jesus' words "do this in memory of me" as a command to do an annual celebration, with certain ritual aspects, such as foot-washing. This was originally to be celebrated around the feast of Passover. -
Period: 110 to 500
Early Christianity
Early Christians got rid of the meal due to frequent abuses of the feast, and replaced it with scripture readings. They also moved the day to a Sunday to commemorate Jesus' resurrection. -
Period: 500 to 1515
Middle Ages
The Middle Ages saw an increase in faith among the public, but also less participation in the mass proper, as many aspects were hidden from the layfolk. In 1215 transubstantiation (the idea that the bread is the real body of Jesus) was introduced. -
Period: 1500 to
Early Modern Period
This period is exemplified by the Tridentine mass, a impersonal style of mass caused by the Council of Trent. This had the priest raised up and with his back to the people, but while the Gregorian chant had been used in some circles, there was no other forms of music. -
Period: to
Modern Times
In this time period, the rules surrounding masses became much looser, and the church aimed to make the mass more personal and participatory for the laity, with services in the local language and the priest facing the people.