Chapter VI. Of the Mass

What is the Catholic doctrine as to the Mass?

That, in the Mass there is offered to God a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice for the living and the dead.

What do you mean by the Mass?

The consecration and oblation of the body and blood of Christ under the sacramental veils or appearances of bread and wine; so that the Mass was instituted by Christ himself at his last supper: Christ himself said the first Mass; and ordained that his apostles and their successors should do the like. “ Do this in remembrance of me,” Luke xxii. 19.

What do you mean by a propitiatory sacrifice?

A sacrifice for obtaining mercy, or by which God is moved to mercy.

Of the Mass. 37

How do you prove that the Mass is such a sacrifice?

Because in the Mass Christ himself, as we have seen, chap, iv., is really present, and by virtue of the consecration is there exhibited and presented to the eternal Father under the sacramental veils, which by their separate consecration represent his death. Now what can more move God to mercy, than the oblation of his only Son there really present, and under this figure of death, representing to his Father that death which he suffered for us?

What scripture do you bring for this?

The words of consecration as they are related by St. Luke, chap. xxii. 19, 20. “This is my body which is given for you — This cup is the new testament in*!ny blood which (cup) is shed for you." For if the cup was shed for us, that is, for our sins, it must needs be propitiatory, at least, by applying to us the fruits of the bloody sacrifice of the cross.

What other texts of the scripture do the Fathers apply to the sacrifice of the Mass?

1. The words of God in the first chapter of the prophet Malach. vi. 10, 11, where rejecting the Jewish sacrifice, he declares his acceptance of that sacrifice or pure offering which should be made to him in every place among the Gentiles. 2ndly. Those words of the Psalmist, Ps. cx. 4, ♦ “ Thou art a priest for ever according to the order of Melchisedech why according to the order of Melchisedech, say the holy Fathers, but by reason of the sacrifice of the Eucharist, proD

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38 Of the Mast.

figured by that bread and. wine offered by MeU chisedech, Gen. xiv. 18.

Why does the Church celebrate the Mass in the Latin, which the people for the most part do not understand?

1st. Because it is the ancient language of the church used in the public liturgy in all ages in the western parts of the world. 2ndly. For a greater uniformity in the public worship; that so a Christian, in whatsoever country he chances to.be, may still find the liturgy performed in the same manner, and in the same language to which he is accustomed at home. 3rdly. To avoid the changes which all vulgar languages are daily exposed to. 4thly. Because the Mass being a sacrifice which the priest, as minister of Christ, is to offer, and the prayers of the Mass being mostly fitted for this end, it is enough that they be in a language which he understands. Nor is this any ways injurious to the people, who are instructed to accompany him in every part of this sacrifice by prayers accommodated to their devotion, which they have in their ordinary prayer-books.

What is the best manner of heariny Mass?

The Mass being instituted for a standing memorial of Christ’s death and passion, and being in substance the same sacrifice as that which Christ offered upon the cross, because both the priest and victim is the same Jesus Christ; there can be no better manner of hearing Mass than by meditating on the death and passion of Christ there represented; and putting one's self in the same dispositions of faith, love, repentance, &c..

Of Purgatory. 39 as we should have endeavoured to excite in ourselves had we been present at his passion and death on Mount Calvary.

What are the ends for which this sacrifice is offered to God?

Principally these four, which both priest and people ought to have in view. 1. For God's own honour and glory. 2. In thanksgiving for all his blessings conferred on us through Jesus Christ our Lord. 3. In satisfaction for our sins through his blood. 4. For obtaining grace and all necessary blessings from God.