The faith of our fathers - Carmel Apologetics

"NorTHE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. 359the Liturgy of Jerusalem, ascribed to the ApostleSt. James ; the Liturgy of Alexandria, attributedto St. Mark the Evangelist, and the Liturgy ofRome, referred to St. Peter. There are variousother Liturgies accredited to the Apostles or totheir immediate successors. Now I wish to callyour attention to this remarkable fact, that all theseLiturgies, though compiled by different persons, atdifferent times, and in various places, and in diverslanguages, contain, without exception, in clear andprecise language, the prayers to be said at thecelebration of Mass; prayersin substance thesame as those found in our Prayer-Books at theCanon of the Mass.We cannot account for this wonderful uniformityexcept by supposing that the doctrine respecting theMass was received by the Apostles from the common fountain of Christianity Jesus Christ Himself.It was such facts as these that opened the eyesof those eminent English divines who, during thepresent century, have abandoned heresy and schismand rich preferments, and who have embraced theCatholic faith, though, by taking such a step, theyhad to sacrifice all that was dear to them on earth.The following passages from St. Paul s Epistle tothe Hebrews are sometimes urged as an argumentagainst the sacrifice of the Mass "Christ, : . . .neither by the blood of goats, or of calves, but byHis own blood, entered once into the Holies, havingobtained eternal redemption."yet that He