Chapter V — On the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

§ 1. On the essence, institution, and ends of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

1. Is the Eucharist to be considered only as a sacrament?

The Eucharist, besides being a sacrament, is also the permanent sacrifice of the new law, which Jesus Christ left to His Church, to be offered to God by the hands of His priests.

2. In what does sacrifice, in general, consist?

Sacrifice, in general, consists in offering a sensible thing to God, and destroying it in some manner, in order to acknowledge His supreme dominion over us and over all things.

3. What is this sacrifice of the new law called?

This sacrifice of the new law is called Holy Mass.

4. What, then, is Holy Mass?

Holy Mass is the sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, offered on our altars under the species of bread and wine, in memory of the sacrifice of the Cross.

5. Is the sacrifice of the Mass the same as that of the Cross?

The sacrifice of the Mass is substantially the same as that of the Cross, inasmuch as the same Jesus Christ who offered Himself on the Cross is the one who offers Himself by the hands of the priests, His ministers, on our altars; but as to the manner in which the sacrifice of the Mass is offered, it differs from the sacrifice of the Cross, while retaining with it the most intimate and essential relation.

6. What difference, then, and relation, is there between the sacrifice of the Mass and that of the Cross?

Between the sacrifice of the Mass and that of the Cross there is this difference and relation: that Jesus Christ on the Cross offered Himself by shedding His blood and meriting for us; whereas on the altars He sacrifices Himself without the shedding of blood and applies to us the fruits of His Passion and Death.

7. What other relation has the sacrifice of the Mass with that of the Cross?

Another relation of the sacrifice of the Mass with that of the Cross is that the sacrifice of the Mass represents in a sensible way the shedding of the blood of Jesus Christ on the Cross; because by virtue of the words of consecration, under the species of bread there is rendered present the Body alone, and under the species of wine the Blood alone, of our Savior; though by natural concomitance and by the hypostatic union, the living and true Jesus Christ is present under each of the species.

8. Is not the sacrifice of the Cross the only sacrifice of the new law?

The sacrifice of the Cross is the only sacrifice of the new law, inasmuch as by it the Lord appeased Divine Justice, acquired all the merits necessary to save us, and so completed on His part our redemption. These merits, however, He applies to us through the means He instituted in His Church, among which is the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

9. For what ends, then, is the sacrifice of Holy Mass offered?

The sacrifice of Holy Mass is offered to God for four ends: 1. to honor Him as is fitting, and for this it is called latreutic; 2. to thank Him for His benefits, and for this it is called eucharistic; 3. to appease Him, to give Him the due satisfaction for our sins, and to suffrage the souls in purgatory; and for this it is called propitiatory; 4. to obtain all the graces that are necessary to us, and for this it is called impetratory.

10. Who is it that offers to God the sacrifice of Holy Mass?

The first and principal offerer of the sacrifice of Holy Mass is Jesus Christ; and the priest is the minister who, in the name of Jesus Christ, offers the same sacrifice to the Eternal Father.

11. Who instituted the sacrifice of Holy Mass?

The sacrifice of Holy Mass was instituted by Jesus Christ Himself, when He instituted the sacrament of the Eucharist; and He commanded that it be done in memory of His Passion.

12. To whom is Holy Mass offered?

Holy Mass is offered to God alone.

13. If Holy Mass is offered to God alone, why are so many Masses celebrated in honor of the Most Holy Virgin and of the Saints?

The Mass celebrated in honor of the Virgin and of the Saints is always a sacrifice offered to God alone: it is said, however, to be celebrated in honor of the Most Holy Virgin and of the Saints to thank God for the gifts He has given them, and to obtain from Him, by their intercession, more abundantly the graces of which we have need.

14. Who shares in the fruits of the Mass?

The whole Church shares in the fruits of the Mass, but particularly: 1. the priest and those who assist at Mass, who are considered united to the priest; 2. those for whom the Mass is applied, who may be either living or dead.

§ 2. On the manner of assisting at Holy Mass

15. What things are necessary to hear Holy Mass well and with fruit?

To hear Holy Mass well and with fruit two things are necessary: 1. modesty of person; 2. devotion of heart.

16. In what does modesty of person consist?

Modesty of person consists especially in being modestly dressed; in observing silence and recollection; and in remaining, as far as possible, kneeling, except during the two Gospels, which are heard standing.

17. In hearing Holy Mass, what is the best way to practice devotion of heart?

The best way to practice devotion of heart in hearing Holy Mass is the following:

1. To unite from the start one's own intention with that of the priest, offering to God the holy sacrifice for the ends for which it was instituted.

2. To accompany the priest in each prayer and action of the sacrifice.

3. To meditate on the passion and death of Jesus Christ and to detest from the heart the sins that were the cause of them.

4. To make Sacramental Communion, or at least Spiritual Communion, at the time the priest communicates.

18. What is Spiritual Communion?

Spiritual Communion is a great desire to be united sacramentally to Jesus Christ, saying, for example: "My Lord Jesus Christ, I desire with all my heart to be united to You now and for all eternity"; and making the same acts that are made before and after Sacramental Communion.

19. Does the recitation of the Rosary or of other prayers during Mass prevent one from hearing it with fruit?

The recitation of these prayers does not prevent one from hearing Mass with fruit, provided one endeavor, as far as possible, to follow the action of the holy sacrifice.

20. Is it a fitting thing to pray also for others while assisting at Holy Mass?

It is a fitting thing to pray also for others while assisting at Holy Mass; rather, the time of Holy Mass is the most opportune to pray to God for the living and the dead.

21. When Mass is finished, what ought one to do?

When Mass is finished, one ought to thank God for the grace of having let us assist at this great sacrifice, and ask His pardon for the faults we have committed in assisting at it.