Embedded Files
CHAPTER VII
THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
“THE MOST BEAUTIFUL THING THIS SIDE OF HEAVEN”
“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles,
and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to my name a clean oblation:
for my name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.”
Malachias 1:11.
THE CATHOLIC MASS WAS FORETOLD IN THE OLD TESTAMENT:
In the above quote from Holy Scripture, the Prophet Malachias, about 400 years before Christ, foretold that the Gentiles would offer “a clean oblation” - the precious Body and Blood of Christ in the Eucharistic Sacrifice. Of all the Churches calling themselves “Christian” this Prophecy is fulfilled today only by The Catholic Church, when Her Priests Offer up The Holy Sacrifice of The Mass. Only the Catholic Church claims to offer up a Sacrifice. This is another proof that The Catholic Church is The Church established by Christ and no other.
THE CATHOLIC MASS WAS PREFIGURED BY THE ANCIENT JEWISH SACRIFICES:
The main function of Priests is to offer Sacrifice to Almighty God. This was true when God inspired “the Chosen People” the Ancient Jews to offer an “unblemished lamb” as a Sacrifice to God for their sins. This is true today when our Priests offer “the Lamb of God Who takest away the sins of the world”. In fact the Jewish sacrifice prefigured The Mass and was used by God to prepare mankind for THE MASS. This was why the phrase “The Lamb of God” was so meaningful to the early Christians. They understood very well the use of an unblemished lamb for sacrifice.
An excellent book on how the Ancient Jewish sacrifices were very much like our Mass is: “How Christ Said The First Mass” by Father James L. Meagher, D.D. from TAN Books. Quotes from its back cover:
“ ‘How Christ Said the First Mass’ shows Catholic Traditions - and in particular, Catholic liturgical Traditions - go back to the time of Adam. The author shows how the Traditional Mass sums up the entire Old Testament worship from the time of Adam to the time of Christ, and how even minute details of the present Mass were used by Christ in the very First Mass. And how they have come down to our day with the same symbolic meaning they originally had. The author delves into the history and tradition of every aspect of Hebrew worship and shows clearly how Our Lord blended and wove them all together into the beautiful liturgy we call the Mass.
Father Meagher maintains that from the beginning Mass was said according to a long liturgy, with ceremonies differing but little from those of our time, that it was formed virtually complete as of the death of St. Peter, and that the Apostles received it almost that way from Our Lord Himself.”
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The HEART of The Catholic Faith is The Mass. The HEART of The Mass is The Holy Eucharist. In John 6:54 we read the words of Christ Himself:
“Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man,
and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.”
1. As mentioned above, much in early human history, particularly that of the “Chosen People” was directed to prepare mankind for The Mass and the Holy Eucharist..
2. All of the Sacraments lead to The Mass and the Holy Eucharist:
The Sacraments of Baptism, Confession and Extreme Unction prepare the Soul to receive the Graces from The Mass and the Holy Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Holy Orders gives Priests the Power to offer The Mass and change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ - so that we can receive Him in the Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
The Sacrament of Matrimony provides the newly weds the Grace to help each other and their children to save their souls through the Mass and Sacraments.
The Sacrament of Confirmation, gives us the Grace to defend the Faith and lead others to The Mass and Sacraments.
3. The lives of all the Saints, and all the Miracles, and all the wonderful Cathedrals and Schools all have as their main goal to bring souls to The Mass and The Holy Eucharist.
4. The Mass was handed down to us through TRADITION. In 1570 St. Pius V. Decreed in QUO PRIMUM, that the Traditional Mass could not be changed and that all Priests could always offer IT and all the faithful could always attend IT.
THE HEART OF THE CATHOLIC FAITH IS THE MASS.
THE HEART OF THE MASS IS THE HOLY EUCHARIST.
Father Faber very accurately described The Traditional Mass as “The Most Beautiful Thing This Side of Heaven”. It is the Heart of our Catholic Heritage. The Traditional Mass and The Holy Eucharist are our most precious possessions!
What is The Mass?
The Mass is a Sacrifice. Christ is the Victim (the “clean oblation”). Christ is not re-crucified, Mass is the Sacrifice of Christ on the cross that occurred in 33 AD but in an unbloody manner. Satan hates The Mass and tries to keep people from It:
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He hates It because It gives Grace and thereby Sanctifies Souls. With Satanic cleverness he inspires men to form non-Catholic religions, religions which keep just enough of a Catholicism to look good and thereby attract poor victims. With all of these false “Christian” churches Satan has the following goals:
1. Destroy The Mass in order to destroy the Catholic Faith. This is done by outright rejection of The Mass or by mutilating It beyond the point of validity but not too much so that the people still think it’s a Mass!
2. Destroy the Sacramental System established by Christ to prepare our souls for Mass and The Holy Eucharist to reduce or even destroy their effect on individual souls. Again this is done by outright rejection or by mutilation beyond the point of validity but not too much, so that people still think they have the Sacraments.
Non-Catholic Objections to The Mass:
1. The reasons behind their objections:[1]
The Protestant belief of “Justification by Faith alone” claims that all you have to do to be “saved” is to “accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior”. There is no need for Sanctifying Grace or therefore the means to obtain It: The Mass, The Sacramental System, good works, prayers and sacrifices, etc. Just accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and that’s it – you’re Saved no matter how many sins you commit afterward! Hence, their rejection of The Mass.
The proofs against this Spiritually fatal belief are covered in Chapter V: “What Is Necessary for Salvation: Why Should We Care?”
2. Henry VIII’s new “Mass”: “Cranmer’s Godly Order”[2]:
In Chapter VIII of reference 77, Michael Davies writes:
“It has already been demonstrated that the founders of the various Protestant heresies were revolutionaries rather than reformers. Their concern was not to reform the existing order but to introduce a new one.”
“Luther wished that the outward appearance of the service should be changed as little as possible. In this way the common people would never become aware there was any change, said Luther, and all would be accomplished ‘without scandal’.”
In order to fool the Catholics into thinking that the new “Communion Service” was still The Mass, they did not outright attack Catholic Doctrine but simply removed all references to it. The children were not taught it and eventually belief in the Doctrine faded out of existence. One of the key factors given by Pope Leo XIII in his final decision on the Anglican orders was:
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“As in the new communion service, so in the new ordination rite, it was not what was expressed but what was suppressed that gave expression to the whole”.
As a result, all mention of: Sacrifice, Priesthood and Power to Consecrate were removed from the new Rite. Cramer’s plan to overthrow the Traditional Mass was divided into four stages:[3]
Stage one: Start saying parts of the Traditional Mass in English instead of Latin.
Stage two: Introduce new material into the Traditional Mass, none of which would be specifically heretical.
Stage three: Replace the Traditional Mass with an English Communion service which was not specifically heretical.
Stage four: Replace this service with a specifically Protestant one.
A man who has been making continual concessions is liable to lack the will to make a stand and to feel that, “in any case it is too late now”.
Other changes included:
(1) The low tone of the Priest during the words of Consecration were made more audible and spoke as a narrative.
(2) Communion under both kinds for the laity.
(3) Ambiguous language introduced so that they could be used by those who did not believe in Transubstantiation.
(4) The Altar (for Sacrifice) was changed to a table (for a memorial meal).
(5) Changed the words of Consecration.
(6) Communion in the hand was introduced, kneeling no longer required.
3. Are Catholics re-crucifying Christ at every Mass?[4]
Non-Catholic:
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You Catholics claim that The Mass is a Sacrifice. You think you are re-crucifying Christ again at every Mass. This idea goes against Holy Scripture. For example Hebrews 9:27-28 says:
“And as it is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment: So also Christ was offered once to exhaust the sins of many...”
Any pretense of a continuous offering for sin is blasphemy. Christ died once -- for all sin.
Catholic Response:
Many non-Catholics misunderstand what The Mass is. The Catholic Church specifically says Christ does not die again - His death is indeed “once for all” but that does not contradict the doctrine of the Mass. A re-presenting of the original Sacrifice does not necessitate a new crucifixion. The Tract “The Mass” published by Catholic Answers writes:
“The Old Testament predicted that Christ would offer a true Sacrifice to God in bread and wine, that he would use those elements. In Gen. 14:18 Melchisedech, the king of Salem and a priest, offered sacrifice under the form of bread and wine. Psalm 109 predicted Christ would be a priest ‘according to the order of Melchisedech,’ that is, offering a sacrifice in bread and wine. We must, then, look for some sacrifice other than Calvary, since it was not under the form of bread and wine. The Mass fits the bill.”
“Under the Christian dispensation, blood (Christ’s) is shed only once, but it is continually offered to the Father.”
“What Jesus did in the past is present to God now, and God can make the sacrifice of Calvary present to us at Mass. ‘So it is the Lord’s death you are heralding, whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, until he comes” (I Cor. 11:26).”
4. Christ is only symbolically present in bread and wine, the idea of Transubstantiation is a myth:
Non-Catholic:
The Last Supper was a “memorial meal” not a sacrificial Mass. Bread and wine is not really changed into Christ’s Body and Blood but only symbolically. At the last supper Christ indicated that it was only a memorial meal when He said “Do this for a commemoration of me.” in Luke 22:19. Christ often spoke symbolically and in parables. For example, in John 15:5 Christ said: “I am the vine, you the branches.....”. He did not mean He was really a vine and we are really branches, only symbolically.
Catholic Response:
True, Christ often taught in parables and spoke symbolically but He also spoke literally. At the Last Supper Christ offered the First Mass and changed bread and wine into His Body and Blood. We know the Apostles took Him literally at the time because:
(1) In John 6:48-67 He promised the Eucharist when He said: “Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, you shall not have life in you.” Everyone who heard Him knew He spoke literally and Holy Scripture tells us that many of His Disciples no longer followed Him because of this statement. If Christ was speaking only symbolically, He would have cleared up the confusion but with this statement He was emphasizing that He intended them to take Him literally.
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(2) At the last supper when Christ said “Do this for the commemoration of me” what did He mean? Do what? He meant that they were to do what He did: Offer Mass, change bread and wine into His Body and Blood – a “Clean Oblation” a Victim for Sacrifice, much more than a simple memorial meal.
(3) In I Cor. 10:16 St. Paul tells us that they Apostles continued to offer Mass as Christ commanded and changed bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ:
“The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?”
Here St. Paul emphasizes the Catholic Doctrine of The Holy Eucharist.
(4) In I Cor. 11:29 St Paul warns us not to approach this Sacrament “unworthily”:
“For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning the body of the Lord.”
Here St. Paul emphasizes the Catholic Doctrine that it would be sinful to approach This Sacrament in a state of Mortal Sin. We should prepare for Holy Communion by making a good Confession.
The above passages from Holy Scripture prove that the literal meaning of Our Lord’s words at the Last Supper can’t be avoided.
Novus Ordo (New Mass) Catholic Objection To The Traditional Mass:
1. The reasons behind the objections:
The Basis for Satan’s objection to the Traditional Mass is that It gives Grace and thereby Sanctifies Souls. He removes many people from the Traditional Mass by removing them from the Catholic Faith, with the establishing of non-Catholic religions. He removes many Catholics from the Traditional Mass by offering a New “Mass” that is very similar to the “Communion Service” used by the non-Catholics.
The Basis for non-Catholic rejection of the Traditional Mass is the false doctrine of “Justification by Faith alone”. It logically leads to the conclusion that there is no need for The Mass.
The Basis for N.O. Catholics rejection of the Traditional Mass is a false idea of Ecumenism. True Ecumenism is the Charitable effort to reach out to non-Catholics, to bring them into the Catholic Church. The false idea of Ecumenism is the effort to reach out to non-Catholics by watering down Catholic Doctrines so that they are acceptable to non-Catholics. This concept is very cruel to non-Catholics because it gives them the false idea that “one Religion is as good as another” and rejects the Catholic Truth that “Outside the Catholic Church there is no Salvation” (because of separation from The Traditional Mass and the Sacramental System).
Six Protestant ministers were used as advisors for “Protestantising” The Mass. This New “Mass” is therefore very similar to the Protestant “Communion Service”. It was imposed upon Catholics in the late 1960's. Catholics were told that they wanted it because they didn’t understand Latin anyway. Many still believe that the New “Mass” is simply the Traditional Mass in English (the vernacular). Most Catholics bought this lie and with time, began to think like Protestants. A New (mutilated) Mass was imposed upon unsuspecting Catholics, and The Sacraments were also “updated”! All in the name of “Ecumenism”.
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2. Pope Paul’s New Mass:[5]
There are many good books and pamphlets on the New Mass, who designed it, its ambiguity, its similarity to the Protestant service, etc. Two of these books are listed in the footnote No. 80 below. The bottom line for Catholics is: Is it valid? Does it give Grace? Can we attend it?
(1) Is it valid?:
It’s not valid when it lacks the proper Matter, Form, Minister or Intention.
The proper Matter is unleavened bread made from wheat and water and grape wine. Crackers, cookies and cake are improper Matter. Grape juice is improper Matter.
The English translation of the proper Form for the Consecration of The Holy Eucharist as given by the Decree De Defectibus, by St. Pius V is:
“FOR THIS IS MY BODY”
and
“FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD OF THE NEW AND EVERLASTING TESTAMENT; THE MYSTERY OF FAITH, WHICH SHALL BE SHED FOR YOU AND FOR MANY UNTO THE REMISSION OF SINS.”
De Defectibus then goes on to say:
“If any omission or alteration is made in the formula of consecration of the Body and Blood, involving a change of meaning, THE CONSECRATION IS INVALID. An addition made without altering the meaning does not invalidate the consecration, but the celebrant commits a mortal sin.”
This is not the FORM used in the New Mass! In the consecration of the wine in Latin we find the words “pro multus” which means “for many” – OK. When the New Mass is translated into the vernacular (in all languages) it is mistranslated as “for all”. Latin for “for all” is “pro omnibus”. Changing “many” to “all” is a change in meaning! “For all” is preferred to “for many” by non-Catholics because of their belief that all are saved. The actual words of Christ at the last supper were “for many”. Does this change of “for many” to “for all” make it invalid? De Defectibus says it does, but some Theologians tell us that for validity of the consecration of the wine, only the words “THIS IS MY BLOOD” are necessary.
The New Mass in Latin further removes “the mystery of faith” from the words of consecration and declares it later on. The “Mystery of Faith” is the fact that bread and wine are changed into the Body and Blood of Christ. In the New Mass new meanings are given to “the Mystery of Faith”. Another change in meaning?
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The proper Minister is a validly Ordained Catholic Priest. The new Rite of Ordination has been changed. Does it still have the proper Matter, Form, Minister, and Intention for this Sacrament? I don’t know. There is some doubt. We must hold fast to the certainty of the Traditional Sacraments. See Chapter XIV on Holy Orders for more details.
The proper Intention is to intend to do what The Church does. For example Offer The Sacrifice of the Mass and change bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ. Does the change in the words of the Consecration betray a change in intention? Do the N.O. priests believe in Transubstantiation? Time magazine some years ago interviewed many of them and found that many did not believe in the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist! We can’t tell what a Priest has in his mind. Therefore we need to rely on Priests who defend Tradition and can’t trust those who don’t.
So what are we “Catholics in the pews” to think of all this? Is the New Mass valid or not? In some cases these things are beyond the competence of laymen to judge. There are two possibilities, either the New Mass is valid or it is not valid. If it is not valid, we can’t attend it because we would be worshiping only bread and wine.
If it is valid, then that would be much worse, if it is also a Sacrilege! Is it a Sacrilege?! A very Holy and highly respected Catholic Priest commented on this thusly:
“To consciously profane the Blessed Sacrament is of course a Sacrilege. Rules were introduced over time the better to avert even unconscious profanation of the Blessed Sacrament: reserving Its handling to Priests; caring for even the smallest particles (use patents, getting the Priests to join thumb and forefinger, etc.) – Rules which the New Mass has discarded.”
“Does it mean that the New Mass consciously wants profanation? Your could argue that its protestantizing authors did. It seems unlikely that the modern Priests who say it or faithful who attend it do. So one say that the New Mass, as it favors heresy, so it fosters Sacrilege, but just as it is not ‘formally heretical’, so it isn’t ‘formally’ (but materially) a Sacrilege. In other words, you will have to explain each time why the New Mass can be called Sacrilegious.”
I had assumed that the New Mass, since it failed to protect the Sacred Species by permitting Communion in the hand, (which resulted in crumbs being spread all over the floor to be walked on!) was therefore a Sacrilege. In this regard, Father pointed out: “(We have to bear in mind too that the Rite of Communion is not an integral part of Mass – which may have no distribution of Communion – even though most normal).”
Can one fulfill their Sunday Obligation by participating in a Mass that favors Heresy, fosters Sacrilege and is at least materially a Sacrilege?!
The Heart of the Catholic Faith is The Mass. The Heart of The Mass is The Holy Eucharist. For our own Salvation, we need The Mass and Sacraments that have unquestionable validity and we all need Them now. We can’t afford to wait for the confusion to be straitened out sometime in the future - we may not be here then. Our children may be brainwashed in a Protestant direction by then. They grow up fast. We need the Grace of the Mass and Sacraments now. The Traditional Mass and Sacraments have this “unquestionable validity”. The New Mass and Sacraments, because they have been changed, are now questionable.
3. N.O. Catholic: “I like the New Mass. I never understood all that Latin anyway.”
Catholic Response: Our prayer books have the words of Mass in Latin on one side and in English on the other side. Therefore a knowledge of Latin is not necessary. We know exactly what the Priest is saying.
[1] “Liturgical Revolution, Vol. 1: Cranmer’s Godly Order”, Chapter 1 to 7, by Michael Davies.
[2]. “Liturgical Revolution, Vol. 1: Cranmer’s Godly Order”, Chapter 8, by Michael Davies.
[3]. “Liturgical Revolution, Vol. I, Cranmer’s Godly Order” Ch. XI, by Michael Davies
[4]. See the Catholic Answers Tract: “The Mass”.
[5]. “Liturgical Revolution, Vol. III, Pope Paul’s New Mass” by Michael Davies. “The Great Sacrilege” by Fr. James F. Wathen, O.S.J.
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QUESTIONS
Apologetics Chapter VII - THE HOLY SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
1. Write your name so I can read it. (5 points)
2. Circle “T” or “F” when the following statements are True or False: (1 point each)
T F The Traditional Mass has been described as: “The most beautiful Thing this side of Heaven.”
T F The Traditional Mass is a Sacrifice, Christ is the Victim.
T F During the Traditional Mass Christ is re-crucified.
T F The Sacrifice of the Mass was predicted about 400 years before Christ became man.
T F Of all the Religions calling themselves “Christian” only the Catholic Church claims to be
offering a Sacrifice to Almighty God.
T F The prediction that a “Clean Oblation” would be offered to God by the Gentiles is fulfilled only
in the Catholic Church.
T F Almighty God inspired the ancient Jews to offer a sacrifice of an unblemished lamb to Him for
their sins.
T F The Traditional Mass is similar to the ancient Jewish sacrifice, except that during Mass the
Victim is “The Lamb of God”.
T F The Traditional Mass is a bloody Sacrifice.
T F In John 6, Christ told us that we needed to actually eat His flesh and drink His blood!!
T F When we go to Holy Communion we actually are consuming Christ’s real Body and Blood!!
T F The Decree Quo Primum, gives Priests permission to offer up the Traditional Mass until
another Pope takes this permission away.
T F The other six Sacraments help us prepare for The Sacrament of Holy Eucharist.
T F When Henry VIII forced a new “Mass” upon the unsuspecting Catholics in England, He did it
abruptly so that all would know the change in Doctrine taking place.
T F Many of the changes in the New “Catholic” Mass are similar to the changes made to It in
Protestant England and for the same reasons.
3. Fill in the blanks: The Heart of the Catholic Faith is ________________________.
(10 points) The Heart of the Mass is _______________________________.
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4. Since the Mass and Sacraments are the main conduits through which we receive God’s “Free Gift of (Sanctifying) Grace, which is necessary to save our Souls, Satan hates Them. Give three ways Satan uses to keep people from Them.(10 points)
5. What Protestant Doctrine is the bases for their rejection of The Mass and Sacraments? Why is it wrong? (10 points)
6. List six changes the Protestants made in The Mass. (10 points)
7. A non-Catholic says: “You Catholics think your re-Crucifying Christ at every Mass!” How would you answer him? (10 points)
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8. A non-Catholic says: “Bread and wine is not really changed into Christ’s Body and Blood. They just represent them. Christ often spoke this way. For example when He said that He was “the Vine” and we are “the branches” we aren’t really vines and branches.” How would you answer him? (10 points)
9. One of the reasons for the New “Mass” is a false notion of Ecumenism. Explain the difference between a True and a False notion of Ecumenism. (10 points)
10. A N.O. Catholic says: “I never knew what was going on during the Traditional Mass because I don’t know Latin.” How would you answer him? (10 points)
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Full Text of St. Pius V’s
Full Text of St. Pius V’s
QUO PRIMUM
QUO PRIMUM
In July 1570, during a period of widespread attack upon the Mass, Pope St Pius V issued
the solemn decree QUO PRIMUM – ordering that the Tridentine Mass was to be used
throughout the Catholic world “in perpetuity”. The decree was given because of deviations,
errors, and confusion then rampant in the aftermath of the Protestant Reformation. In
QUO PRIMUM, Pope Saint Pius V sought to define for all time the ritual for saying Mass
and it was placed in the front of every altar missal printed from 1570 until 1964. The following
is an English translation of this solemn decree.
Upon Our elevation to the Apostolic Throne We gladly turned Our mind and energies, and directed all our thoughts, to the matter of preserving incorrupt the public worship of the Church, and We have striven with God’s help, by every means in Our power to achieve that purpose.
Whereas amongst other decrees of the Holy Council of Trent We were charged with revision and re-issue of the sacred books, to-wit the Catechism, the Missal and the Breviary; and whereas We have with God’s consent published a Catechism for the instruction of the faithful, and thoroughly revised the Breviary for the due performance of the Divine Office. We next, in order that Missal and Breviary might be in perfect harmony, as is right and proper (considering that it is altogether fitting that there should be in the Church only one appropriate manner of Psalmody and one sole rite of celebrating Mass), deemed it necessary to give Our immediate attention to what still remained to be done, namely the re-editing of the Missal with the least possible delay.
We resolved accordingly to delegate this task to a select committee of scholars; and they, having at every stage of their work and with the utmost care collated the ancient codices in Our Vatican Library and reliable (original or amended) codices from elsewhere, and having also consulted the writing of ancient and approved authors who have bequeathed to us records relating to the said sacred rites, thus restored the Missal itself to the pristine form and rite of the Holy Fathers. When this production had been subjected to close scrutiny and further amended We, after mature consideration, ordered that the final result be forthwith printed and published in Rome, so that all may enjoy the fruits of this labor; that priest may know what prayers to use, and what rites and ceremonies they are to observe henceforth in the celebration of Masses.
Now therefore, in order that all everywhere may adopt and observe what has been delivered to them by the Holy Roman Church, Mother and Mistress of the other churches, it shall be unlawful henceforth and for ever throughout the Christian world to sing or to read Masses according to any formula other than that of this Missal published by us; this ordinance to apply to all churches and chapels, with or without cure of souls, patriarchal, collegiate, and parochial, be they secular or belonging to any religious order whether or men (including the military orders), or of women, in which conventual Masses are or ought to be sung aloud in choir or read privately according to the rites and customs of the Roman Church; to apply moreover even if the said churches have been in any way exempted, whether by indult of the Apostolic See, by custom, by privilege, or even by oath or Apostolic confirmation, or have their rights and faculties guaranteed to them in any way whatsoever; saving only those in which the practice of saying Mass differently was granted over 200 years ago simultaneously with the Apostolic See’s institution and confirmation of the church , and those in which there has prevailed s similar custom followed continuously for a period of not less than 200 years; in which cases We in no wise rescind their prerogatives or customs aforesaid. Nevertheless, if this Missal which We have seen fit to publish be more agreeable to these last, ‘We hereby permit them to celebrate Mass according to this rite, subject to the consent of their bishop or prelate, and of their whole Chapter, all else to the contrary notwithstanding. All other churches aforesaid are hereby denied the use of other missals, which are to be wholly and entirely rejected; and by this present Constitution, which shall have the force of law in perpetuity We order and enjoin under pain of Our displeasure that nothing be added to Our newly published missal, nothing omitted therefrom, and nothing whatsoever altered therein.
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We specifically command each and every patriarch, administrator and all other persons of whatsoever ecclesiastical dignity, be they even Cardinals of the Holy Roman Church, or possessed by any other rank or preeminence, and We order them by virtue of holy obedience to sing or to read the Mass according to the rite and manner and norm herein laid down by Us, and henceforward t discontinue and utterly discard all other rubrics and rites of other missals, howsoever ancient, which they have been accustomed to follow, and not to presume in celebrating Mass to introduce any ceremonies or recite any prayers other than those contained in this Missal.
Furthermore, by these presents and by virtue of Our Apostolic Authority We give and grant in Perpetuity that for the singing or reading of Mass in any church whatsoever this Missal may be followed absolutely, without any scruple of conscience or fear of incurring any penalty, judgment or censure, and may be freely and lawfully used. Nor shall bishops, administrators, canons, chaplains and other secular priests, or religious of whatsoever Order or by whatsoever title designated, be obliged to celebrate Mass otherwise than enjoined by Us. We likewise order and declare that no one whosoever shall be forced or coerced into altering this Missal; and this present Constitution can never be revoked or modified, but shall forever remain valid and have the force of law, notwithstanding previous constitutions or edicts or provincial or synodal councils, and not withstanding the usage of the churches aforesaid established by very long and even immemorial prescription, saving only usage of more than 200 years.
Consequently it is Our will, and by the same authority We decree, that one month after publication of this Our Constitution and Missal, priests of the Roman Curia shall be obliged to sing or to read the Mass in accordance therewith; other south of the Alps, after three months; those who live beyond the Alps, after six months or as soon as the Missal becomes available for purchase.
Furthermore, in order that the said Missal bay be preserved incorrupt and kept free from defects and errors, the penalty for non-observance in the case of all printers resident in territory directly or indirectly subject to Ourselves and the Holy Roman Church shall be forfeiture of their books and a fine of 100 gold ducats payable ipso facto to the Apostolic Treasury. In the case of those resident in other parts of the world it shall be excommunication latae sententiac and other penalties at Our discretion; and by Our Apostolic authority and the tenor of these presents We also decree that they must not dare or presume either to print or to publish or to sell, or in any way to take delivery of such books without Our approval and consent, or without express permission of the Apostolic Commissary in the said parts appointed by Us for that purpose. Each of the said printers must receive from the aforementioned Commissary a standard Missal to serve as an exemplar for subsequent copies, which, when made, must be compared with the exemplar and agree faithfully therewith, varying in no wise from the first impression printed in Rome.
But, since it would be difficult for this Constitution to be transmitted to all parts of the world and to come to the notice of all concerned simultaneously, We direct that it be as usual, posted and published at the doors of the Basilica of the Prince of Apostles, at those of the Apostolic Chancery, and at the end of the Campo de Fiori; moreover, We direct that printed copies of the same, signed by a notary public and authenticated with the seal of an ecclesiastical dignitary, shall possess the same unqualified and indubitable validity everywhere and in every country that would attend the display there of Our present text. Accordingly, no one whosoever is permitted to infringe or rashly contravene this notice or Our permission, statute, ordinance, command, direction, grant, indult, declaration, will, decree and prohibition. Should any person venture to do so,
let hem understand that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the Blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.
Given at Saint Peter's, Rome, in the year of Our Lord's Incarnation, one thousand five hundred and seventy, on the fourteenth day of July in the fifth year of Our Pontificate.
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WHY LATIN?
1. Latin is the language of The Church. All Nationalities can easily follow a Mass in Latin – even when not in their home country. In most Missals, the Latin in on one side of the page and the English, German, French, Spanish, etc. are on the other side of the page.
2. To attend a Mass in Latin is to worship as the Saints did for Centuries. Hopefully IT will work for us and our children as it worked for them.
3. There is the certainty that since Latin is a “dead language”, the meaning of the words do not change with time.
4. There is the certainty that the FORM, used during the Consecration, complies with that given in St. Pius V’s Decree De Defectibus.
5. The Documents of Vatican II directed that Latin must remain the NORM for Mass.
6. Quote: “The day the Church abandons Her universal tongue (Latin) will be the day before She returns to the Catacombs.” Pope Pius XII, a few days before his death.
Traditional Catholics
(Author Unkown)
We are what you once were.
We believe what you once believed.
We worship as you once worshiped.
If you were right then, we are right now.
If we are wrong now, you were wrong then.
Given at Saint Peter’s, Rome, in the year of Our Lord’s Incarnation, one thousand five hundred and seventy , on the fourteenth day of July in the fifth year of Our Pontificate.
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