E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

INTRODUCTORY CHAPTER.
IN April, 1901, I began on the Wednesday evenings in
Farm Street Church a series of simple Explanations of
Catholic Doctrine for Catholics and non-Catholics.
The text-book was the Penny Catechism. The purpose
was to explain, supplement, and illustrate that little
book which contains so much in a few pages. I began
with the Sacraments, and after explaining the Eucharist
as a Sacrament, went on to consider the Eucharist as
a Sacrifice. To the Mass some twenty-eight Instruc
tions were devoted, and they are now published.
The earnest hope is entertained that this explanation
of the Mass will help to a deeper appreciation of the
greatest act of worship in the Church. It is impossible
to have laboured for many years
in London without
painfully realizing that the Mass is neither known,
nor understood, nor attended, nor loved as it deserves.
Surely there are many Catholics who might
with a
little self-denial hear Mass, if not daily, at least some
times in the week. If we inquire the reason from those
who find time for other things and not for Mass, we
shall probably learn that they do not understand what
they lose. Mass is a closed book to them. The love,