Page:MyPrayerBookHappinessInGoodness.djvu/246



oly 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

oly 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.