E SACRIFICE OF THE MASS

CHAPTER the SECOND.
THE ESSENCE OF THE MASS.
WE have to distinguish between the essence of the
Mass and an integral portion of the Mass.
By the essence of a thing we mean that by which
the thing is what it is ; flour and water are of the
essence of a loaf of bread. By the integral portion of
a thing we mean something needed to its completeness
though not to its existence. The body of a man with
an arm cut off is still a human body though not
perfect.
Nearly all theologians are agreed that the essence
of the Mass consists in the consecration of the bread
and wine at the Elevation. Most certainly were a
priest to say all the prayers at Mass and to omit the
Consecration, there would be no Sacrifice. There
would then be a bare commemoration of the Sacrifice
of Calvary just what the Council of Trent defines the
Mass not to be. (Sess. ii. can. 3.)
Why are nearly all the theologians agreed that the
essence of the Mass consists in the Consecration under
two kinds ? Because the Consecration under two kinds
represents the mystical death of Jesus Christ.
The Council of Trent defines the Mass to be a real
Sacrifice also a re-presentation of the death of out