Ite, missa est

Ite, missa est (English: "Go, it is the dismissal") are the concluding Latin words addressed to the people in the Mass of the Roman Rite in the Catholic Church, as well as in the Divine Service of the Lutheran Church.

Until the reforms of 1962, at Masses without the Gloria, Benedicamus Domino was said instead. The response of the people (or, in the Tridentine Mass, of the servers at Low Mass, the choir at Solemn Mass) is Deo gratias ("thanks be to God").

Meaning

In the 19th century, it was common to explain the phrase elliptically, with missa the feminine participle of mittere, as in Ite, missa est [congregatio] "Go, it [viz., the assembly] is dismissed".^[1] However, according to Fortescue (1910), the word missa as used in this phrase is not the feminine participle (Classical Latin missa), but rather a Late Latin form of what would be missio in classical Latin, meaning "dismissal", for a translation of "Go, the dismissal is made".^[2]

Chupungco (1999) noted that "some persons have attempted" to "sublimate" the straightforward meaning of the phrase into an interpretation of missio "dismissal" as "mission" (as in, "go and be a missionary"), but judges this interpretation as "without foundation".^[3]

The connection between the meaning "dismissal" and the 'deeper' meaning of "mission" was also discussed by Benedict XVI (without making an etymological claim) in Sacramentum caritatis (2007): "In antiquity, missa simply meant 'dismissal'. In Christian usage, however, it gradually took on a deeper meaning. The word 'dismissal' has come to imply a 'mission'. These few words succinctly express the missionary nature of the Church".^[4]

Historically, there have been other explanations of the noun missa, i. e. as not derived from the formula ite, missa est. Medieval authors took the phrase to contain the noun missa "mass". Thus Guillaume Durand (13th century) suggests that the meaning is either elliptic missa est [finita] "the mass is finished", or that est should be taken absolutely, as meaning "the mass exists, is now accomplished fact".^[5] But, in fact, the ecclesiastical Latin noun missa "mass" is itself derived from the missa in this liturgical formula.

Also, Du Cange (1678) reports "various opinions on the origin" of the noun missa "mass".^[6] Fortescue (1910) cites more "fanciful" etymological explanations, notably a latinization of Hebrew matsâh (מַצָּה) "unleavened bread; oblation", a derivation favoured in the 16th century by Reuchlin and Luther.^[7]

Overlooked are two forms of dismissal of the Aquileian Rite, one used for Major Double Feasts and another for Major Solemnities of the Blessed Virgin Mary, respectively, "Ite benedicti et electi in viam pacis: pro vobis Deo Patri hostia missa est" and "Ite benedicti et electi in viam pacis: pro vobis Mariae Filius hostia missa est" as recorded in Migne's Patrologia Latina 99 which presents a Mass for the feast of St. Paulinus II of Aquileia excerpted from the Aquileian Missal of 1519. Noteworthy is the fact missa est is used as a past perfect verb in the passive voice with hostia as its subject. Thus, the Host or sacrificial victim has been sent. In the former case, "the sacrificial victim has been sent to God the Father," in the latter "the sacrificial victim" is defined as "the son of Mary." At other times, the Aquileian Rite used the Roman dismissal.

History and liturgical use

It is one of the oldest formulae of the Roman Rite, recorded in Ordo I (6th or 7th century).^[8] but if the noun missa "mass" is to be taken as a derivation from this formula, it must predate the 6th century and may date to as early as the 3rd, missa being a re-adoption into written Latin of the spoken Late Latin for missio.^[9]

After the twelfth century, accretions began to be added to the Mass after the "Ite, missa est", changing it from a dismissal to a mere formula without relation to actuality. But only in the sixteenth century, with the establishment of the Tridentine Mass (Missal of Pope Pius V), were these accretions officially accepted as part of the Mass.

In this revision of the Roman Missal, the ”Ite, missa est” was followed by a silent private prayer by the priest, then by the blessing, and finally by the reading of what was called the Last Gospel (usually John 1:1–14, but since, until the reform of Pope Pius X, saints' feasts came to supplant most Sunday Masses, the Last Gospel on such Sundays was that of the Sunday Mass).

With the reform of Pope Paul VI "Ite, missa est" returned to its function as a dismissal formula. It is omitted if another liturgical function follows immediately and the people are not to leave (e.g., Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament).

"Ite missa est", not being variable like the Scripture readings and the Collect, is part of the Order of Mass and has always been printed in that part of the Roman Missal. Being sung by an individual (ideally the deacon), not by a choir, it cannot be part of a polyphonic musical setting of the Mass. Only the "Deo gratias" response could be set polyphonically but again, because of its brevity, it rarely was, except in some early settings such as Machaut's Messe de Nostre Dame.

Alternative formulas

Patristic Era

Apostolic Constitutions: "Go in peace."

Modern Roman Rite

In 2008 alternative dismissal formulas were approved for Mass of the Roman Rite:^[10]

"Ite in pace" (Go in peace)
"Ite ad Evangelium Domini nuntiandum" (Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord)
"Ite in pace, glorificando vita vestra Dominum" (Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life)

In each case the response called for by the Roman Missal continues to be "Deo gratias" (Thanks be to God).

Non-Roman Latin rites

The dismissal formulas in other Latin liturgical rites are:

Ambrosian Rite: "Procedamus cum pace" (Let us go forth in peace). Response: "In nomine Christi" (In the name of Christ).
Mozarabic Rite: "Solemnia completa sunt in nomine D. N. I. C: votum nostrum sit acceptum cum pace" (The celebration is completed in the name of Our Lord Jesus Christ; may our prayer be accepted with peace). Response: "Deo gratias" (Thanks be to God).
Aquileian Rite: "Ite benedicti et electi in viam pacis: pro vobis Deo Patri hostia missa est." (Go blessed and elect in the way of peace: for you the sacrificial victim has been sent to God the Father.) ^[11]
Aquileian Rite: "Ite benedicti et electi in viam pacis: pro vobis Mariae Filius hostia missa est." (Go blessed and elect in the way of peace: for you the sacrificial victim, the Son of Mary, has been sent.) ^[12]

Eastern Rites

Antiochene, Alexandrian and Byzantine liturgies: "Let us go forth in peace" (said by the deacon). Response: "In the name of the Lord." Then the priest says a short "prayer of dismissal".

Other languages (Roman Rite)

Latvian: "Dieva žēlastība lai jūs pavada" (May the grace of God accompany you)^[13]
Polish: "Idźcie w pokoju Chrystusa" (Go in the peace of Christ)^[14]
Slovak: ^[15]
- "Choďte v pokoji" (Go in peace)
- "Choďte a ohlasujte Pánovo evanjelium" (Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord)
- "Choďte v pokoji a ohlasujte Pána svojim životom" (Go in peace and announce the Lord through your life)

References

^ so Friedrich Diez, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der roman. Sprachen (1887), p. 212, cited by Fortescue (1910).
^ "It is a substantive of a late form for missio. There are many parallels in medieval Latin, collecta, ingressa, confessa, accessa, ascensa — all for forms in -io. It does not mean an offering (mittere, in the sense of handing over to God), but the dismissal of the people, as in the versicle 'Ite missa est' (Go, the dismissal is made)." Fortescue, A. (1910). Liturgy of the Mass. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.
^ Anscar J. Chupungco, Handbook for Liturgical Studies: The Eucharist, Volume 3 of Handbook for Liturgical Studies, Liturgical Press, 1999, p. 3.
^ (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum caritatis, 51)
^ "Durandus (Rationale, IV, 57) suggests several interpretations. It has been thought that a word is omitted: Ite, missa est finita; or est is taken absolutely, as meaning 'exists, is now an accomplished fact'". Fortescue (1910).
^ De vocabuli origine variæ sunt Scriptorum sententiæ. Hanc enim quidam, ut idem Baronius, ab Hebræo Missah, id est, oblatio, arcessunt : alii a mittendo, quod nos mittat ad Deum, ut est apud Alcuinum de Divinis offic. Honorium Augustod. lib. 1. cap. 2. Rupertum lib. 2. cap. 23. etc. Du Cange, et al., Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, éd. augm., Niort : L. Favre, 1883‑1887, t. 5, col. 412b, s.v. 4. missa.
^ "The origin and first meaning of the word, once much discussed, is not really doubtful. We may dismiss at once such fanciful explanations as that missa is the Hebrew missah ("oblation" — so Reuchlin and Luther), or the Greek myesis ("initiation"), or the German Mess ("assembly", "market"). Nor is it the participle feminine of mittere, with a noun understood ("oblatio missa ad Deum", "congregatio missa", i. e., dimissa — so Diez, "Etymol. Wörterbuch der roman. Sprachen", 212, and others).
^ "When the prayer [Post-Communion] is over, that one of the deacons appointed by the archdeacon looks towards the pontiff to receive a sign from him and then says to the people: Ite missa est. They answer: Deo gratias" (Ordo I, ed. Atchley, London, 1905, p. 144).
^ "It is our formula of the old dismissal (apolysis) still contained in all liturgies. It is undoubtedly one of the most ancient Roman formulæ, as may be seen from its archaic and difficult form. All the three oldest Roman Ordines contain it." Fortescue (1910).
^ ZENIT Staff (14 October 2008). "Mass Could End With More Than "Go in Peace"". ZENIT. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
^ "In festo majori duplici," Extracta ex Missali ecclesiae Aquiliensis, impresse anno 1519, in exemplum ritus ejusdem ecclesiae in J.P. Migne Patrologia Latina 99:627.
^ "In majoribus autem solemnitatibus beatae Mariae virginis," Extracta ex Missali ecclesiae Aquiliensis, impresse anno 1519, in exemplum ritus ejusdem ecclesiae in J.P. Migne Patrologia Latina 99:627.
^ "Vatikāns apstiprinājis Svētās Mises noslēguma formulas" [The Vatican has approved closing formulas of Holy Mass]. Katolis.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
^ "Watykan: Nowe formuły rozesłania kończące Mszę św" [Vatican: New sending formulas ending Mass]. Liturgia.pl (in Polish). 22 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2019.
^ "Liturgická komisia KBS". liturgia.kbs.sk. Retrieved 2022-03-18.

External links

Fortescue, A. (1910), Ite Missa Est, The Catholic Encyclopedia, New York: Robert Appleton Company.
See Ite Missa Est in the 1962 Missale Romanum with MP3 Audio

[1] so Friedrich Diez, Etymologisches Wörterbuch der roman. Sprachen (1887), p. 212, cited by Fortescue (1910).

[2] "It is a substantive of a late form for missio. There are many parallels in medieval Latin, collecta, ingressa, confessa, accessa, ascensa — all for forms in -io. It does not mean an offering (mittere, in the sense of handing over to God), but the dismissal of the people, as in the versicle 'Ite missa est' (Go, the dismissal is made)." Fortescue, A. (1910). Liturgy of the Mass. In The Catholic Encyclopedia. New York: Robert Appleton Company.

[3] Anscar J. Chupungco, Handbook for Liturgical Studies: The Eucharist, Volume 3 of Handbook for Liturgical Studies, Liturgical Press, 1999, p. 3.

[4] (Pope Benedict XVI, Sacramentum caritatis, 51)

[5] "Durandus (Rationale, IV, 57) suggests several interpretations. It has been thought that a word is omitted: Ite, missa est finita; or est is taken absolutely, as meaning 'exists, is now an accomplished fact'". Fortescue (1910).

[6] De vocabuli origine variæ sunt Scriptorum sententiæ. Hanc enim quidam, ut idem Baronius, ab Hebræo Missah, id est, oblatio, arcessunt : alii a mittendo, quod nos mittat ad Deum, ut est apud Alcuinum de Divinis offic. Honorium Augustod. lib. 1. cap. 2. Rupertum lib. 2. cap. 23. etc. Du Cange, et al., Glossarium mediae et infimae latinitatis, éd. augm., Niort : L. Favre, 1883‑1887, t. 5, col. 412b, s.v. 4. missa.

[7] "The origin and first meaning of the word, once much discussed, is not really doubtful. We may dismiss at once such fanciful explanations as that missa is the Hebrew missah ("oblation" — so Reuchlin and Luther), or the Greek myesis ("initiation"), or the German Mess ("assembly", "market"). Nor is it the participle feminine of mittere, with a noun understood ("oblatio missa ad Deum", "congregatio missa", i. e., dimissa — so Diez, "Etymol. Wörterbuch der roman. Sprachen", 212, and others).

[8] "When the prayer [Post-Communion] is over, that one of the deacons appointed by the archdeacon looks towards the pontiff to receive a sign from him and then says to the people: Ite missa est. They answer: Deo gratias" (Ordo I, ed. Atchley, London, 1905, p. 144).

[9] "It is our formula of the old dismissal (apolysis) still contained in all liturgies. It is undoubtedly one of the most ancient Roman formulæ, as may be seen from its archaic and difficult form. All the three oldest Roman Ordines contain it." Fortescue (1910).

[NULL_2008-10] ZENIT Staff (14 October 2008). "Mass Could End With More Than "Go in Peace"". ZENIT. Retrieved 16 November 2019.

[11] "In festo majori duplici," Extracta ex Missali ecclesiae Aquiliensis, impresse anno 1519, in exemplum ritus ejusdem ecclesiae in J.P. Migne Patrologia Latina 99:627.

[12] "In majoribus autem solemnitatibus beatae Mariae virginis," Extracta ex Missali ecclesiae Aquiliensis, impresse anno 1519, in exemplum ritus ejusdem ecclesiae in J.P. Migne Patrologia Latina 99:627.

[13] "Vatikāns apstiprinājis Svētās Mises noslēguma formulas" [The Vatican has approved closing formulas of Holy Mass]. Katolis.lv (in Latvian). Archived from the original on 16 November 2019. Retrieved 16 November 2019.

[14] "Watykan: Nowe formuły rozesłania kończące Mszę św" [Vatican: New sending formulas ending Mass]. Liturgia.pl (in Polish). 22 October 2008. Retrieved 16 November 2019.

[15] "Liturgická komisia KBS". liturgia.kbs.sk. Retrieved 2022-03-18.

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

[6]

[7]

[8]

[9]

[10]

[11]

[12]

[13]

[14]

[15]

v t e Tridentine Mass of the Catholic Church
Types	Chapter and conventual Low Deutsche Singmesse Dialogue French Organ Missa cantata Missa Sicca Ritual Coronation Papal Requiem Nuptial Solemn Pontifical Papal Sine populo Votive Red
Order	Pre-Mass Vesting prayers Asperges me Vidi aquam in Eastertide Processional hymn Mass of the Catechumens Iudica me Confiteor mea culpa Introit Kyrie Gloria in excelsis Deo Collect Lection Gradual Alleluia or Tract Sequentia Gospel Homily Mass of the Faithful Credo Niceno-Constantinopolitan Creed Offertory Lavabo Orate fratres Secret Preface Sursum corda Sanctus Hosanna Roman Canon Oblation Epiclesis Words of Institution Anamnesis Elevation Doxology Pater Noster Embolism Pax Agnus Dei Dona nobis pacem Fraction Holy Communion Communion antiphon Ablutions Postcommunio Dismissal Ite, missa est or Benedicamus Domino Last Gospel Post-Mass Leonine prayers Recessional hymn For funeral Mass Dies irae Pie Iesu Libera Me Requiescant in pace Absolution of the dead In paradisum De profundis
Participants	Acolyte altar server Bishop Boat boy Cantor or schola Crucifer Deacon Laity Lector Master of ceremonies Porter Priest Subdeacon
Altar	Altar cards Altar crucifix Altar rails Ambo Antependium Credence table Kneeler Lavabo Misericord Piscina Sacristy Tabernacle
Altar cloths	Altar linens Antependium Burse Chalice veil Corporal Pall Purificator
Illumination	Altar (Catholic Church)#Candles and candlesticks Paschal candle Sanctuary lamp Triple candlestick
Liturgical objects	Altar bell Aspergillum Chalice Ciborium Collection basket Cruet Fistula Flabellum Funghellino Holy water Incense use Manuterge Paten Processional cross Pyx Sacramental bread wafer Sacramental wine (or must) Thurible
Literature	Cæremoniale Episcoporum Missale Romanum Pontificale Romanum Rituale Romanum
Vestments (Pontifical/Papal)	Alb Amice Chasuble Cincture Cope Crosier Dalmatic Episcopal gloves Ecclesiastical ring Episcopal sandals Falda Humeral veil Liturgical lace Mitre Pallium Papal fanon Papal tiara Pectoral cross Stole Subcinctorium Superhumerale Surplice Tunicle Vimpa
Music	Antiphon Graduale Romanum Gregorian chant Hymn Kyriale Romanum Liber Usualis Music for the Requiem Mass Organ voluntary Organum Polyphony Reciting tone Accentus Recto tono Tra le sollecitudini Tonary Gregorian Antiphonary
Liturgical year Calendar (1954/1955/1960)	Advent Christmastide Epiphanytide Septuagesima Lent Passiontide Holy Week Paschal Triduum Eastertide Ascensiontide After Pentecost Calendar of saints Holy day of obligation Moveable feast Octaves Ranking of liturgical days: Solemnity Memorial Commemoration Feria
Discipline	Canonical digits Church etiquette Closed communion Canon 844 Canon 915 Communion and the developmentally disabled Communion under both kinds Eucharistic fast First Communion Genuflection Head cover Host desecration Infant communion Reserved sacrament Sign of the Cross Thanksgiving after Communion Viaticum
Theology	Blessed Sacrament Body and Blood of Christ Corpus Christi Epiousion Eucharistic miracle Grace ex opere operato In persona Christi History of Catholic eucharistic theology Koinonia Liturgical colours Origin of the Eucharist Last Supper Passion of Jesus and its salvific nature Priesthood of Melchizedek Pro multis Real presence Transubstantiation
Concepts	Ad orientem Canon law Code of Rubrics Concelebration Ecclesiastical Latin Intercession of saints Ordinary & propers (common) Sunday Lord's Day Text and rubrics of the Roman Canon Vulgate (Sixto-Clementine) Latin Psalters
Related	Agape feast Alternatim Anaphora Anima Christi Aspersion Catholic liturgy Coetus Internationalis Patrum Communities using the Tridentine Mass Indult Traditionalist Dicastery for Divine Worship Council of Trent Eucharistic adoration & benediction Holy Hour Forty Hours' Devotion Fourth Council of the Lateran Gospel Book History of the Roman Canon Latin liturgical rites Lex orandi, lex credendi Litany Liturgical Movement Liturgical reforms of Pope Pius XII Liturgical use of Latin Mass of Paul VI Missal Plenary indulgence Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei Pope Pius V Preces Pre-Tridentine Mass Quattuor abhinc annos Quo primum Catholic theology Sacramentary Sacraments of the Catholic Church Summorum Pontificum Traditionis custodes Western Rite Orthodoxy
Catholic Church portal

v t e Order of the Divine Service in Lutheranism
Preparatory Service	Entrance hymn and Trinitarian formula (known as the Invocation) Penitential Act including the Confiteor and Declaration of Grace (or Asperges on Easter)
The Service of the Word	Introit Gloria Patri Kýrie Gloria Dominus vobiscum Oremus Collect Old Testament reading gradual (or Responsorial Psalm) Epistle Alleluia (tract during Lent) Gospel Hymn of the day Homily or Postil (Sermon) Nicene Creed (Athanasian Creed on Trinity Sunday) Offertory Prayers of the Faithful
The Service of the Eucharist	Preface (Sursum corda / Sanctus / Hosanna) Eucharistic Prayer (Epiclesis / Words of Institution / Memorial Acclamation) Lord's Prayer Sign of peace / pax (elevation) Agnus Dei Distribution Nunc dimittis Postcommunion Benedicamus Domino Benediction Dismissal Ite, missa est
Participants	Acolyte bishop cantor choir crucifer deacon elder laity lector Pastor (or Priest) usher
Parts of the Sanctuary	altar altar bell altar crucifix altar rail kneeler piscina processional cross tabernacle
Candles	altar candle paschal candle sanctuary lamp votive candle
Liturgical vessels	ciborium chalice cruet
Liturgical objects	collection basket holy water incense (use) paten sacramental bread (wafer) sacramental wine thurible
Vestments	alb chasuble dalmatic geneva gown humeral veil stole surplice tunicle
Liturgical books and hymnals	Christian Worship (1993) Christian Worship (2021) Common Service Book (1917) Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-Book (1912) Evangelical Lutheran Hymnary (1996) Evangelical Lutheran Worship (2006) Lutheran Book of Worship (1978) The Lutheran Hymnal (1941) Lutheran Hymnal with Supplement (1989) Lutheran Service Book (2006) Lutheran Worship (1982) ReClaim Hymnal (2006) Service Book and Hymnal (1958)