Religious leader shortly after midnight taking in mass (4)

I believe the answer is:

imam

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'religious leader' is the definition.
(an imam leads Muslims in prayer)

I don't understand the rest of the clue.

(Other definitions for imam that I've seen before include "Man who leads prayers in a mosque" , "Ma, I'm off to find religious Muslim" , "Leader of prayers in mosque" , "Islamic minister" , "Muslim holy man" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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