Bishop Athanasius Schneider: The Holy Mass as Sacrifice & Sacrament of the Cross

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By Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Catholic Exchange, Jan. 28, 2022

Bishop Schneider and coauthor Aurelio Porfiri encourage the revival of public prayers, such as the Liturgy of the Hours and Eucharistic adoration. He explains how genuflecting, kneeling, and prostrating oneself are all outward signs of reverence that demonstrate this inward action.  …

The Holy Mass is the Sacramentum Crucis, the Sacrament of the Cross: this is its essential definition. If the Holy Mass is the Sacramentum Crucis, then we need to consider what a sacrament is.

A sacrament is a sign perceptible to the senses that signifies, and makes present by signifying, the reality to which it points. Thus, the two separate species, bread and wine, signify the reality of the separation of the body and blood of Christ on the Cross; that is, they signify the reality of the act of the sacrifice of the Cross. By signifying this reality, the sacramental signs make this reality present — as theologians say — in a sacramental way.

The Holy Mass is the sacramental form of the sacrifice of Golgotha. We can also say that the Holy Mass is the Real Presence of the sacrifice of Golgotha, the Real Presence of Christ’s immolated body and outpoured blood. This act of sacrifice is the greatest act that has ever taken place or will ever take place in human history. …