The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
I. Mass the Sacrifice of the New Law
Holy Mass is the sacrifice of the true body and blood of Jesus Christ, really present upon the altar, under the appearances of bread and wine, and offered to God by the priest for the living and the dead.
Holy Mass is the same sacrifice as that which Was offered up by Our Lord Himself on the cross of Calvary, the manner alone of the offering being different. On the cross, He actually died by the shedding of His blood. On the altar, He renews His death in a mystical manner, without the reshedding of blood. This is done at the Consecration, for by the separate and distinct consecration of the two species, namely of the bread and of the wine, the blood of Christ is exhibited as being once more separate from His body; and thus Jesus Christ is placed on the altar, and offered to heaven, under the appearance of death, as if slain again and immolated
II. The Four Great Ends of Mass
Holy Mass is offered to God for four great ends, corresponding to the four great duties we owe to Him; these are:
1. To praise, honor, and adore the infinite majesty of God, Who is infinitely deserving of all the glory that can be given Him by His creatures.
2. To satisfy the infinite justice of God, Who is infinitely offended by the sins committed against Him.
