The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

""354 THE FAITH OF OUR FATHERSWe may divide the inhabitants of theworld intofive different classes of people, professing differentforms of religion, Pagans, Jews, Mahometans,Protestants, and Catholics. Among which of theseshall we find the clean oblation of which the prophetspeaks ? Not among the Pagan nations for ;theyworship false gods, and consequently cannot haveany sacrifice pleasing to the Almighty. Not amongthe Jews for ;they have ceased to sacrifice altogether, and the words of the prophet apply not tothe Jews, but to the Gentiles. Not among theMahometans for ;they also rejectsacrifices. Notamong any of the Protestant sects ; for they alldistinctly repudiate sacrifices. Therefore, it is onlyin the Catholic Church that is fulfilled this gloriousprophecy for, whithersoever you go, you will find;the clean oblation offered on Catholic altars. Ifyou travel from America to Europe, to Oceauica, toAfrica, or Asia, you will see our altars erected, andour priests daily fulfilling the words of the prophet,by offering the clean oblation of the body andblood of Christ.This oblation of the New Law iscommonly calledthe Mass. The word Mass is derived by some fromthe Hebrew term Missach (Deut. xvi.), which meansa free offering. Others derive it from the wordMissa, which the priest uses when he announces tothe congregation that divine service is over. It isan expression indelibly marked on our English