Volume Iii Part 31 (2/2)

Q. 923. How are the fruits of the Ma.s.s distributed?

A. The fruits of the Ma.s.s are distributed thus: The first benefit is bestowed on the priest who says the Ma.s.s; the second on the person for whom the Ma.s.s is said, or for the intention for which it is said; the third on those who are present at the Ma.s.s, and particularly on those who serve it, and the fourth on all the faithful who are in communion with the Church.

Q. 924. Are all Ma.s.ses of equal value in themselves or do they differ in worth?

A. All Ma.s.ses are equal in value in themselves and do not differ in worth, but only in the solemnity with which they are celebrated or in the end for which they are offered.

Q. 925. How are Ma.s.ses distinguished?

A. Ma.s.ses are distinguished thus: (1) When the Ma.s.s is sung by a bishop, a.s.sisted by a deacon and sub-deacon, it is called a Pontifical Ma.s.s; (2) When it is sung by a priest, a.s.sisted by a deacon and sub-deacon, it is called a Solemn Ma.s.s; (3) When sung by a priest without deacon and sub-deacon, it is called a Missa Cantata or High Ma.s.s; (4) When the Ma.s.s is only read in a low tone it is called a low or private Ma.s.s.

Q. 926. For what end or intention may Ma.s.s be offered?

A. Ma.s.s may be offered for any end or intention that tends to the honor and glory of G.o.d, to the good of the Church or the welfare of man; but never for any object that is bad in itself, or in its aims; neither can it be offered publicly for persons who are not members of the true Church.

Q. 927. Explain what is meant by Requiem, Nuptial and Votive Ma.s.ses.

A. A Requiem Ma.s.s is one said in black vestments and with special prayers for the dead. A Nuptial Ma.s.s is one said at the marriage of two Catholics, and it has special prayers for their benefit. A Votive Ma.s.s is one said in honor of some particular mystery or saint, on a day not set apart by the Church for the honor of that mystery or saint.

Q. 928. From what may we learn that we are to offer up the Holy Sacrifice with the priest?

A. We may learn that we are to offer up the Holy Sacrifice with the priest from the words used in the Ma.s.s itself; for the priest, after offering up the bread and wine for the Sacrifice, turns to the people and says: ”Orate Fratres,” &c., which means: ”Pray, brethren, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to G.o.d the Father Almighty,” and the server answers in our name: ”May the Lord receive the sacrifice from thy hands to the praise and glory of His own name, and to our benefit and that of all His Holy Church.”

Q. 929. From what did the custom of making an offering to the priest for saying Ma.s.s arise?

A. The custom of making an offering to the priest for saying Ma.s.s arose from the old custom of bringing to the priest the bread and wine necessary for the celebration of Ma.s.s.

Q. 930. Is it not simony, or the buying of a sacred thing, to offer the priest money for saying Ma.s.s for your intention?

A. It is not simony, or the buying of a sacred thing, to offer the priest money for saying Ma.s.s for our intention, because the priest does not take the money for the Ma.s.s itself, but for the purpose of supplying the things necessary for Ma.s.s and for his own support.

Q. 931. {268} Is there any difference between the sacrifice of the Cross and the sacrifice of the Ma.s.s?

A. Yes; the manner in which the sacrifice is offered is different. On the Cross Christ really shed His blood and was really slain; in the Ma.s.s there is no real shedding of blood nor real death, because Christ can die no more; but the sacrifice of the Ma.s.s, through the separate consecration of the bread and the wine, represents His death on the Cross.

Q. 932. What are the chief parts of the Ma.s.s?

A. The chief parts of the Ma.s.s are: (1) The Offertory, at which the priests offers to G.o.d the bread and wine to be changed at the Consecration; (2) The Consecration, at which the substance of the bread and wine are changed into the substance of Christ's body and blood; (3) The Communion, at which the priest receives into his own body the Holy Eucharist under the appearance of both bread and wine.

Q. 933. At what part of the Ma.s.s does the Offertory take place, and what parts of the Ma.s.s are said before it?

A. The Offertory takes place immediately after the uncovering of the chalice. The parts of the Ma.s.s said before it are: The Introit, Kyrie, Gloria, Prayers, Epistle, Gospel and Creed. The Introit, Prayers, Epistle and Gospel change in each Ma.s.s to correspond with the feast celebrated.

Q. 934. What is the part of the Ma.s.s called in which the Words of Consecration are found?

A. The part of the Ma.s.s in which the words of Consecration are found is called the Canon. This is the most solemn part of the Ma.s.s, and is rarely and but slightly changed in any Ma.s.s.

Q. 935. What follows the Communion of the Ma.s.s?

A. Following the Communion of Ma.s.s, there are prayers of thanksgiving, the blessing of the people, and the saying of the last Gospel.

Q. 936. What things are necessary for Ma.s.s?

A. The things necessary for Ma.s.s are: (1) An altar with linen covers, candles, crucifix, altar stone and Ma.s.s book; (2) A Chalice with all needed in its use, and bread of flour from wheat and wine from the grape; (3) Vestments for the priest, and (4) An acolyte or server.

Q. 937. What is the altar stone, and of what does it remind us?

A. The altar stone is that part of the altar upon which the priest rests the Chalice during Ma.s.s. This stone contains some holy relics sealed up in it by the bishop, and if the altar is of wood this stone is inserted just in front of the Tabernacle. The altar stone reminds us of the early history of the Church, when the martyrs' tombs were used for altars by the persecuted Christians.

Q. 938. What lesson do we learn from the practice of using martyrs'

tombs for altars?

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