The Sacrifice of the Mass

[jmj1984]

Thank you, jmj. Your quote explains well why the Mass is a true sacrifice, and I found it interesting to read. I’m not sure it answers my question, though. In fact, this passage seemed to me to underline why I don’t understand the meaning of the prayer I asked about:

‘**And this is indeed that clean oblation, which cannot be defiled by any unworthiness, or malice of those that offer (it); which the Lord foretold by Malachias was to be offered in every place, clean to his name, which was to be great amongst the Gentiles; and which the apostle Paul, writing to the Corinthians, has not obscurely indicated, when he says, that they who are defiled by the participation of the table of devils, cannot be partakers of the table of the Lord; by the table, meaning in both places the altar. **’

If the Mass is always a clean, pure sacrifice, that can’t be defiled by the sinfulness of the people who participate, or of the priest, why do we pray that God will accept it? Surely that’s a given, considering what it is, and what’s happening on the altar?

From perusing the book ‘The Holy Mass’ by Dom Propser Gueragner (its a classic liturgical book), it seems that the reason is one of humility, we accept that we are miserable sinners but nevertheless beg God to accept the sacrifice despite our sinfulness because it is a clean, pure sacrifice. Of Course God is never going to reject the sacrifice but we must nevertheless acknowledge our sinfulness and approach God with humility.

 

[Dirt]

For further reading, you might give this a try, From the Catechism of +Pope Saint Pius X:

cin.org/users/james/ebooks/master/pius/psacr-e.htm

Pax Christi

 

[paperwight66]

I was quoting from the Order of Mass book I was given the other week, which is the new translation already in use in England, where I am from.
)

You’d better check that you’ve been given an official book then, because I, too, am in England, and have one of the ‘The new Liturgy’ cards in front of me that is being used in our Archdiocese, published by Redemptorist Publications. Indeed, it is used in our parish most days by the Archbishop himself.

It says,

All stand as the priest says:

‘Pray, brethren/brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father’.

IIRC, this is the same as we used to say, in fact, no change.

Are you perhaps thinking of the congregation’s response, which is 'May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands …;etc?

Who is the publisher of the book you have?

 

[Godith]

From perusing the book ‘The Holy Mass’ by Dom Propser Gueragner (its a classic liturgical book), it seems that the reason is one of humility, we accept that we are miserable sinners but nevertheless beg God to accept the sacrifice despite our sinfulness because it is a clean, pure sacrifice. Of Course God is never going to reject the sacrifice but we must nevertheless acknowledge our sinfulness and approach God with humility.

That makes sense. I think the wording of the prayer assumes we would know God would never reject the sacrifice of His Son, because it doesn’t spell that out. I was a bit confused by that, but I think I understand it now.

You’d better check that you’ve been given an official book then, because I, too, am in England, and have one of the ‘The new Liturgy’ cards in front of me that is being used in our Archdiocese, published by Redemptorist Publications. Indeed, it is used in our parish most days by the Archbishop himself.

It says,

All stand as the priest says:

‘Pray, brethren/brothers and sisters that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the Almighty Father’.

IIRC, this is the same as we used to say, in fact, no change.

Are you perhaps thinking of the congregation’s response, which is 'May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands …;etc?

Who is the publisher of the book you have?

I have a copy of The Order of Mass in Latin and English - New English Translation, published by the Catholic Truth Society. It has the same wording as you quote above. Perhaps I didn’t quote it correctly the first time. I apologise if I made a mistake with that.