A Mass has infinite value, because it is the renewal of the sacrifice of the cross.
The value of a gift is proportionate to the dignity of the giver and the cost of the gift. The Mass, the only worthy gift for God, is offered by Christ, the Son of God; it cost Him His very life.
1. Therefore to assist or offer Mass is a good work of greater excellence than any other.
By other good works we offer to God gifts that are human. In the Mass we offer Him gifts that are divine: His own only-begotten Son. There is no more holy and divine act that can be performed on earth than the sacrifice of the Mass.
2. The efficacy of the holy sacrifice does not depend on the worthiness or unworthiness of the priest; he is only the minister of Christ, Who is both Priest and Victim.
The virtue of the Mass is of itself, quite apart from the worthiness of the priest. For this reason, we do not lose the merits of Mass if it is offered for us by a priest who is not worthy, since Mass has its intrinsic value; in a similar way, a diamond is a diamond, even if the jeweler selling it be a bad man.
3. However, as a good work, the graces and favors are limited, partly by the will of God, and partly by the dispositions of those to whom the fruits are applied. Therefore, the more devotion we have at Mass, the greater will be the profit we derive.
Two young men went to visit Rome. Their schedule limited their stay there to one day. The first young man, upon arrival, immediately visited all the famous portions of the city, finally ending with a visit to the Holy Father and the Vatican. The second young man, being fatigued by the journey, lay down to rest. He fell asleep and awoke only when it was too dark to go anywhere. Both went to the same city, but one did not profit from his journey.
[picture]
The most impressive of all solemn Masses is the High Mass of the Pope. The Holy Father says Mass facing the people. The Pope is the only one that can say Mass on the high altars of the four basilicas in Rome. St. Peter’s, St. Paul’s, St. John’s (the Lateran Church), and St. Mary Major.
[picture]
The hosts, consecrated at Mass, taken by the priest and people, are made of pure unleavened wheat flour mixed with water and baked. They are prepared by chosen persons, usually religious.