Messefølges

Messefølges is a term appearing in some Scandinavian-language religious vocabulary, referring to activities or groups associated with the Mass. The word combines messe (mass) and følges (follows or accompanies). In liturgical contexts, messefølges can denote a continuation of ritual life after the service, such as a procession or a post-mass rite, or more broadly the practice of accompanying the mass with related social or ceremonial activities.

The exact meaning and usage of messefølges vary by denomination and region. Some sources describe it as a formal post-missal procession—carrying sacred elements or moving from the church to another site—while others use it to describe a cohort of parishioners who participate in subsequent rituals, charitable visits, or social gatherings connected to the mass. The term is more commonly found in historical or regional texts than in contemporary, widespread usage.

Variants and related terms include messefølge (singular) and messefølger (participants or followers). In broader contexts, the concept aligns with ideas of liturgical procession and the social life of a parish surrounding the celebration of the Mass.

See also: liturgical procession, procession in church, post-mass rituals, parish life. References to messefølger concepts appear in regional liturgical dictionaries and parish records that discuss ritual practices and social activities linked to Mass.