Definition of the word black mass

The term "black mass" has been used to describe a number of different rituals and ceremonies throughout history, but today it is most commonly associated with a satanic or occult service performed by some self-proclaimed devil worshippers. The origin of the phrase "black mass" can be traced back to the Catholic Church, specifically to the medieval Catholic Mass known as the "Mass of the Dead" or " Requiem Mass." This Mass was celebrated in a traditional black or darkly colored cassock by priests mourning the deceased. The term came to have a broader, more sinister meaning during the period of the Protestant Reformation in Europe, when Catholics accused Protestants of participating in "black masses" as a way of mocking the Catholic Mass and demonstrating their rejection of its teachings. Later, during the centuries-long witch trials that plagued Europe, people accused of practicing witchcraft were often accused of performing "black masses" as part of their demonic activities. The term continued to evolve in the centuries that followed, taking on new and various connotations in different cultural and religious contexts. Today, the phrase "black mass" is most commonly associated with rituals promoted by some self-proclaimed Satanists, who claim to be performing a sacrificial, blasphemous "Mass of the Phantasm" or "Black Episcopate Mass" that bestows dark powers upon participants. While these services are not widely accepted as true religious ceremonies by scholars or religious experts, they continue to receive attention and controversy due to their highly publicized nature.