E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

CHAPTER the FIRST.
THE DOCTRINE OF THE SACRIFICE OF
THE MASS.
THE Eucharist is both Sacrament and Sacrifice.
There are several points of difference between the
Eucharist as a Sacrament and as a Sacrifice. The
efficacy of the Sacrifice lies in its being offered, and of
the Sacrament in its being received. The Eucharist as
a Sacrament increases our merit, and gives to the soul
all the advantages that food gives to the body.
As a Sacrifice the Eucharist is not only a source
of merit but also of satisfaction for sm. Again, the
Eucharist as a Sacrament benefits only the person who
communicates : if it obtains graces and blessings for
others, this happens only through the goodness of God.
But as a Sacrifice the Eucharist is offered for and
benefits the whole Catholic Church, and its satisfactory
power is extended to all faithful Christians living and
dead. Lastly, the chief end of the Holy Eucharist as
a Sacrament is our own sanctification, while its chief
end as a Sacrifice in the Mass is the supreme worship
of God. There is consequently a clear difference
between the Eucharist as a Sacrament and as a
Sacrifice.
The Council of Trent (Sess. xxii. can. 22) defines the
B