Online Catechesis: Holy Mass in General...

The Fruits and Effects of the Holy Mass

What is the Holy Mass?

- is the unbloody sacrifice of the body and blood of Christ. (Baltimore Catechism no.917)

- is "the source and summit of the Christian life." (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1324)
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Why does the Holy Mass called Sacrifice?

- it is called sacrifice because it has the same effect of the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. It is an offering to a Supreme Being who is God. It is an act of propitiation.
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What is the "matter" of the Holy Mass?

- they are the Bread and Wine.
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What is the "form" of the Holy Mass?

- the form of the Mass are the words or the order of the Mass.
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Who instituted the Holy Mass?

- Christ himself who instituted the Mass at the upper room. It was during the Last Supper with his Apostles. (Mat.26:26-28, Mk.14:22-24, Lk.22:19-20)
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Why Christ instituted the Holy Mass?

- it is because the holy sacrifice forgives sins and he commanded it as his remembrance. As He said: "do this in remembrance of me", "which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins."
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Exposition:

Eucharist is derived from the Greek word "eucharistein" which freely translated as thanksgiving.

The Holy Mass is known in many other terms: Holy Eucharist, Breaking of the Bread and Holy Sacrifice. They are not many but ONLY ONE, TRUE and HOLY SACRIFICE.

The objects (matter) of this sacrifice are the Bread and the Wine which after the words of consecration the SUBSTANCE of the bread and wine will transform into the SUBSTANCE of Christ - Body and Blood WITHOUT changing the appearance of the Bread and Wine.

The effect of the Holy Eucharist has the same effect of the Sacrifice of Christ at the Calvary. Christ's act on the cross is once and for all. Only Christ can do such sacrificial act. And Christ never commanded his Apostles to be crucified in order to forgive sins. Rather, Christ commanded to do in his REMEMBRANCE what he did during the Last Supper.

The Last supper was the moment of its INSTITUTION of the Holy Mass and the INSTITUTION of Holy Orders (priesthood). Christ ordained his Apostles in order for them to CELEBRATE VALIDLY the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist. Only VALID PRIEST can CELEBRATE a VALID MASS.
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Holy Mass in Relation to the other Sacraments:

The Seven Sacraments of the Church are categorized into three (3) namely: Sacrament of Inintiation, Sacrament of Reconciliation and Sacrament of Mission (Vocation).

The sacrament of initiation comprises the sacraments of Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Eucharist. Confession and Annointing of the Sick belongs to the Sacrament of Reconciliation. While the remaining two (2) sacraments Holy Orders and Matirmony belong to the Sacrament of Mission (Vocation).

As we have observed in every celebration of the Seven Sacraments there's always a Communion (Holy Eucharist). For example: in annointing of the sick Communion is given to the sick, in Ordination, Matrimony, Confirmation (if inside the Mass). This means that we are sharing one Bread who is Christ. He draws us to himself so that we might live.

"At the Last Supper, on the night he was betrayed, our Savior instituted the Eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. This he did in order to PERPETUATE the sacrifice of the cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a Paschal banquet 'in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.'" (Catechism of the Catholic Church 1323)
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Deus benedicat vos fratres!