134. Value of the Mass

The most impressive of all solemn Masses is the High Mass of the Pope. The Pope is the only one that can say Mass on the high altars of the four basilicas in Rome: St. Peter's, St. Paul's, St. John's (the Lateran Church), and St. Mary Major.

What is the value of a Mass?

— A Mass has infinite value, because it is the renewal of the sacrifice of the cross.

The value of a gift is proportionate to the dignity of the giver and the cost of the gift. The Mass, the only worthy gift for God, is offered by Christ, the Son of God because it cost Him His very life.

1. Therefore to hear or say Mass is a good work of greater excellence than any other.

By other good works, we offer to God gifts that are human. In the Mass, we offer Him the gift that is divine: His own only-begotten Son. There is no more holy and divine act that can be performed on earth than the sacrifice of the Mass.

2. The efficacy of the holy sacrifice does not depend on the worthiness or unworthiness of the priest; he is only the minister of Christ, Who is both Priest and Victim.

The virtue of the Mass is of itself, quite apart from the worthiness of the priest. For this reason, we do not lose the merits of Mass if it is offered for us by a priest who is not worthy, since Mass has its intrinsic value: in a similar way, a diamond is a diamond, even if the jeweller selling it be a bad man.

3. However, as a good work, the graces and favours are limited, partly by the will of God, and partly by the dispositions of those to whom the fruits are applied. Therefore, the more devotion we have at Mass, the greater will be the profit we derive.

Two young men went to visit Rome. Their schedule limited their stay there to one day. The first young man, upon arrival, immediately visited all the famous portions of the city, finally ending with a visit to the Holy Father and the Vatican. The second young man, being fatigued by the journey, lay down to rest. He fell asleep and awoke only when it was too dark to go anywhere. Both went to the same city, but one did not profit from his journey.

Why is an offering made to the priest who says Mass?

— An offering is made to the priest who says Mass, to provide for the things necessary for the Sacrifice, and to assist in the support of the priest.

1. In the early years of the Church the faithful, wishing to participate more fully in the oblation, made offerings of bread and wine for the consecration.

Today, it is more convenient to make a money offering. The money is most certainly not the price of the Mass, as the bread and wine were not.

2. Many Catholics have the laudable custom of leaving a certain amount of property or money in their wills, in order to have Masses offered for them after their death.

A requiem Mass is said in black vestments, and with special prayers for the dead. Masses said for the dead for thirty consecutive days are called Gregorian Masses.

The hosts consecrated at Mass, taken by the priest and people, are made of pure unleavened wheat flour mixed with water and baked. They are prepared by chosen persons, usually religious.

What materials are used for consecration at Mass?

— Bread and wine are used for consecration at Mass; a few drops of water are mixed with the wine.

1. The bread for consecration is made from pure wheat flour mixed with water and baked.

No other flour, such as rice, corn, etc., may be used, otherwise there is no consecration. Great care therefore should be taken that the flour is the proper kind.

2. The wine for consecration must be the pure juice of grapes fermented.

No other wine is valid, and if used, no transubstantiation will take place. A little water is mixed with the wine when used for consecration, because this was done by Christ. The water and wine also commemorate the water and blood that flowed from the wound on the side of Our Lord.

When is Mass offered?

— Mass is offered every day of the year except Good Friday. In the first centuries, bishops and priests celebrated Mass together, so that one Mass was said by several. Our present Masses, when priests are ordained, and bishops are consecrated, are similar to those early Masses.

1. Ordinarily, a priest is permitted to say Mass only once a day. On Christmas and All Souls' Day, however, he may say three Masses.

On Sundays and holydays of obligation, a priest with the proper permission may say two Masses when the needs of the people so require. In mission lands where there are few priests, they are even allowed to say three Masses.

2. Mass is said in the mornings and, with the approval of the bishop, also in the afternoon. Morning Masses are said till 1 p.m.; in the afternoon they may begin at four o'clock.

In the early days of Christianity, Mass was said in the evening, after the example of the Last Supper, when the Mass was instituted. Later it was thought better to have it said in the morning, for a greater respect to the Holy Eucharist. In these our days, Mass is said at practically all hours of the day, in order to facilitate attendance and the receiving of Holy Communion.