Expert: Fr. Michael - 12/10/2008

Question
Dear Fr. Jerome,

Where does the word "Mass" come from? What does it mean? Also, I like my Catholic friends to call me by my initiation name. Is that permissible? Otherwise what is significance of the name?
Thank you.
In Christ.

Answer
The word "Mass" ia an English derivative of the Latin "missa," which refers particularly to the usual dismissal, "Ite, missa est."  In time this term came to signify the whole service by synecdoche (using a part to refer to the whole).

There is no such thing as an "initiation" name in traditional Catholicism.  You may be referring to the name of the Saint that you took at your Baptism or Confirmation.  You chose these names (or your parents chose them for you) as saintly examples for you to follow.  You should learn as much as you can about these patron Saints and pray to them frequently for spiritual assistance.  Civilly, you can use whatever name you want.