| A | B |
|---|
| 357. What is the Mass? | The Mass is the sacrifice of the New Law in which Christ; through the ministry of the priest; offers Himself to God in an unbloody manner under the appearances of bread and win. |
| 358. What is a sacrifice? | A sacrifice is the offering of a victim by a priest to God alone; and the destruction of it in some way to acknowledge that He is the Creator of all things. |
| 359. Who is the principal priest in every Mass? | The principal priest in every Mass is Jesus Christ; who offers to His heavenly Father; through the ministry of His ordained priest; His body and blood which were sacrificed on the cross. |
| 360. Why is the Mass the same sacrifice as the sacrifice of the cross? | The Mass is the same sacrifice as the sacrifice of the cross because in the Mass the victim is the same; and the principal priest is the same; Jesus Christ. |
| 361. What are the purposes for which the Mass is offered? | The purposes for which the Mass is offered are: First; to adore God as our Creator and Lord; Second; to thank God for His many favors; Third; to ask God to bestow His blessings on all men; Fourth; to satisfy the justice of God for the sins committed against Him. |
| 362. Is there any difference between the sacrifice of the cross and the Sacrifice of the Mass? | The manner in which the sacrifice is offered is different. On the cross Christ physically shed His blood and was physically slain; while in the Mass there is no physical shedding of blood nor physical death; because Christ can die no more; on the cross Christ gained merit and satisfied for us; while in the Mass He applies to us the merits and satisfaction of His death on the cross. |
| 363. How should we assist at Mass? | We should assist at Mass with reverence; attention; and devotion. |
| 364. What is the best method assisting at Mass? | The best method of assisting at Mass is to unite with the priest in offering the Holy Sacrifice; and to receive Holy Communion. |
| 364 A. How can we best unite with the priest in offering the Holy Sacrifice? | We can best unite with the priest in offering the Holy Sacrifice by joining in mind and heart with Christ; the principal Priest and Victim; by following the Mass in a missal; and by reciting or chanting the responses. |
| 365. Who said the first Mass? | Our Divine Savior said the first Mass; at the Las Supper; the night before He died. |
| 366. What is Holy Communion? | Holy Communion is the receiving of Jesus Christ in the sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. |
