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The history of the popes, from the close of the middle ages : drawn ...

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298 HISTORY OF THE POPES.<br />

sacrifice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mass, <strong>the</strong> same Christ who sacrificed Himself<br />

in a bloody manner, is <strong>of</strong>fered ii]) in an unbloody manner.<br />

<strong>The</strong> Mass is consequently a true expiatory sacrifice, by<br />

which <strong>the</strong> faithful gain <strong>the</strong> fruits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sacrifice <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

Cross, <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> which is not <strong>the</strong>reby prejudiced ;<br />

Mass is <strong>the</strong>refore <strong>of</strong>fered, not only for <strong>the</strong> living, but<br />

also for <strong>the</strong> souls still in Purgatory. When Mass is cele-<br />

brated by <strong>the</strong> Church in honour <strong>of</strong>, and in memory <strong>of</strong> saints,<br />

she teaches that not to <strong>the</strong>se, but to God alone is <strong>the</strong> sacrifice<br />

<strong>of</strong>fered. From time immemorial <strong>the</strong> Church has ordained <strong>the</strong><br />

Canon, which contains no error <strong>of</strong> any kind, for <strong>the</strong> worthy<br />

celebration <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mass. She has, at <strong>the</strong> same time, in accord-<br />

ance with apostolic tradition, associated <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>fering <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong><br />

sacrifice with ceremonies. It does not seem advisable to <strong>the</strong><br />

Council that Mass should be universally celebrated in <strong>the</strong><br />

language <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> country. Finally, it repudiates all errors<br />

contrary to this teaching, and especially those directed against<br />

<strong>the</strong> sacrificial character <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Mass. <strong>The</strong> reform decree gives<br />

prescriptions for <strong>the</strong> worthy celebration <strong>of</strong> Mass, and admon-<br />

ishes <strong>the</strong> bishops to avoid anything having <strong>the</strong> appearance <strong>of</strong><br />

avarice, or what is superstitious, or likely to give scandal.^<br />

Full unanimity was only obtained for <strong>the</strong> decree which<br />

fixed <strong>the</strong> next Session, for <strong>the</strong> treatment <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> sacraments <strong>of</strong><br />

Holy Orders and Matrimony, for November 12th. ^ Nobody<br />

dreamed that instead <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> two months proposed, ten would<br />

elapse before ano<strong>the</strong>r Session <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Council could be held.<br />

^ For <strong>the</strong> numerous abuses which, in <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> time had<br />

found <strong>the</strong>ir way into <strong>the</strong> Mass, see <strong>the</strong> classical work <strong>of</strong> A. Franz,<br />

Die Messe im deutschen Mittelalter, Freiburg, 1902.<br />

^ Cf. <strong>The</strong>iner, II., 130-2; Pallavicini, 18, 9. Concerning<br />

<strong>the</strong> satisfaction <strong>of</strong> Pius IV. at <strong>the</strong> result <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Session see Borro-<br />

meo's letter <strong>of</strong> September 26, 1562, in §usta. III., 12 seq.

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