The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass” by Fr. Mateo Crawley-Boevey, written during the reign of Pope Pius XII. Fr. Mateo wrote this short work on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, making an effort to enlighten the mind and enkindle the heart, that is, to shine a bright light on the subject so that a deep and supernatural conviction will be generated in their mind concerning the mystery of our altars.
The mystery of the Holy Eucharist comprises two wonderful chapters: the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass which is the divine and inexhaustible source of Grace and the Blessed Sacrament of the Altar, which theologically is the liturgical consummation of the Sacrifice. Normally, these two parts are spiritually one. However, it is unfortunate that sometimes one is separated from the other, and that without good reason, nor without some harm coming to the Eucharistic, and even the spiritual life.
The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the well-spring of Divine Life, from which the Sacrament flows as a sacred torrent. Hence, Holy Communion and the Sacred Species reserved in the Tabernacle become veritable torrential streams rushing from the Sacrifice. Without further delay, then, we will mark two distinct and doctrinal points of difference between the Eucharist as a Sacrifice and a Sacrament.
The Sacrifice is the offering which the Word makes of Himself to the Father, saying: “Behold, I come to the do Thy Will, O God.” (Heb. 10:9) “He humbled Himself becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the Cross.” (Phil. 2:8) “I have glorified Thee on earth…” (Jn. 17:4)
The Sacrifice of Calvary and that of the Altar is an ineffable realization of the words of St. Paul: “Christ hath delivered Himself for us.” (Eph. 5:2) For the Glory of the Father and the Redemption of sinful man, the Son of God offered Himself as a holocaust to His Father.
This is a sublime self-surrender with words cannot render. “Father, since it is Thy Will that I die: Thy Will be done! Yes, behold Me incarnate to die on the Cross. I wish to be for Thee a victim of praise and glorification. It is My wish to glorify Thee, O Father, as much and infinitely more than sin has outraged Thee.”
