List Of Quotations From Early Christians Showing That They Believed the The Mass Is A Sacrifice

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Greetings —

Where can I find a list of quotations from the earliest Christians clearly showing that they believed the Mass to be a sacrifice? Apostolic Fathers, early Church Fathers etc. I’m aware of St. Paul’s statements (1 Corinthians 10:14–21 and Hebrews 13:10), but I am specifically looking for extra-Biblical statements

I found one statement in the Didache (below), but I believe there are others. Any help appreciated, and many thanks.

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Didache, Chapter 14. Christian Assembly on the Lord’s Day

But every Lord’s day gather yourselves together, and break bread, and give thanksgiving after having confessed your transgressions, that your sacrifice may be pure. But let no one that is at variance with his fellow come together with you, until they be reconciled, that your sacrifice may not be profaned. For this is that which was spoken by the Lord: In every place and time offer to me a pure sacrifice; for I am a great King, says the Lord, and my name is wonderful among the nations.
 
Genesis, thank you — excellent resource, and exactly what I was looking for!
 
The Four Witnesses has a section in the back divided by topic with quotes from several ECFs. One of them is on Mary’s perpetual virginity, another is on the papacy, and I believe there’s one concerning the Eucharist as well.
 
Gerhard, thank you for these links. I’d never seen a site with quotations from the Fathers on a variety of topics.

I’m dealing with two problems, actually; one is showing a Protestant friend that the Eucharist has been understood as a sacrifice since the beginning of the Church. The other is I’ve never been able to understand this myself, and I thought going back to the understanding of the earliest Christians would help me puzzle that out. There are probably places on CA where that’s discussed as well.
 
Well, it may help you to know his/her denomination, since the approach could be different than what you think, then you may get a more specific answer from one who converted from the same denomination in The Journey Home, or a book from an author that went through conversion.

If you want to do it in the best possible way, then you need to pray a lot, be an example and maybe talk more about growth, virtues, and other things that the Church has a more developed understanding of (like cardinal virtues, the temple, etc.). In some cases you could be able to speak directly about the subject, but I consider you would need much virtue first for that to happen, or previous understanding of matters of faith from your friend that help him/her accept what you say.

God bless
 
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