What is the Mass?

According to the Council of Trent Sesson XXII, Chapter II:

''That the Sacrifice of the Mass is propitiatory both for the living and the dead.

And forasmuch as, in this divine sacrifice which is celebrated in the mass, that same Christ is contained and immolated in an unbloody manner, who once offered Himself in a bloody manner on the altar of the cross; the holy Synod teaches, that this sacrifice is truly propritiatory and that by means thereof this is effected, that we obtain mercy, and find grace in seasonable aid, if we draw nigh unto God, contrite and penitent, with a sincere heart and upright faith, with fear and reverence. For the Lord, appeased by the oblation thereof, and granting the grace and gift of penitence, forgives even heinous crimes and sins. For the victim is one and the same, the same now offering by the ministry of priests, who then offered Himself on the cross, the manner alone of offering being different. The fruits indeed of which oblation, of that bloody one to wit, are received most plentifully through this unbloody one; so far is this (latter) from derogating in any way from that (former oblation). Wherefore, not only for the sins, punishments, satisfactions, and other necessities of the faithful who are living, but also for those who are departed in Christ, and who are not as yet fully purified, is it rightly offered, agreebly to a tradition of the apostles.''

The Mass of all Ages

The priest surrounded by the holy angels who assist him, offers up the Pure Sacrifice to the Eternal Father. What a grace, an honour, a dignity far surpassing the angels!

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass

'Unlike anyone else, Our Lord came on earth, not to live, but to die. Death for our redemption was the goal of His sojourn here, the gold that he was seeking. He was, therefore not primarily a teacher, but a Savior. Was not Christ the Priest a Victim? He never offered anything except Himself. So we have a mutilated concept of our priesthood, if we envisage it apart from making ourselves victims in the prolongation of His Incarnation.' - Archbishop Fulton Sheen, The Priest Is Not His Own.

The Beauty Of The Liturgy

The modern world is often rushed, a rabble surrounds one constantly, a barrage of information attacks the ears, flashy lights dazzle the eyes. Anger and impatience is indicative of the culture, where one must be satisfied on request.
The Christian soul has somewhere to turn to in the midst of this pollution, someone to rely on. One is often lonely in a crowd, yet in the encounter that occurs between God and creature in the Sacrifice of the Mass, grace and infinite blessings are bestowed. The veil is pulled back separating heaven and earth. This is a foretaste of eternity, of knowing as one is known.
Christ, who calls us brothers and friends, dwells with us, and is offered up to the Eternal Father, by the priest who stands in His person. The priest must approach the Altar in fear and trembling, he will utter the most sacred words that will confect the Eucharist, the Sanctifier will transform mere bread and wine, into the body, blood, soul and divinity of the Redeemer and Lord of all, to give life to all who partake of the offering. His lips unclean from speaking evil, have the great grace of wispering in love and reverence, 'Hoc est enim corpus meum'. Not even the angels, exalted high above man in stature, intelligence and sinlessness, have been called to send up the most pure Sacrifice to redeem man. The priest must not take this solemn duty lightly, his salvation depends upon him becoming like the Sacrifice immolated infront of him. He truly is an alter Christus, he must have his mind, lips and heart conformed to the likeness of Jesus.