BibleBeltCatholics
BibleBeltCatholics | Sharing quotes and writings of the Early Church Fathers with our separated Christian brethren in the South!
Home 1st-2nd Century 3rd-4th Century 5th-8th Century The Catechism Today About this site

The Catholic Church and
the term Catholic
Peter and the Papacy
The Sacraments
Mother?of?God Baptism
Immaclate?Conception Confession
    Contrition
    Confession
Virgin?Birth   Penance
    Indulgences
Immaclate?Conception Eucharist
    The Mass
Virgin?Birth   The Real Presence
  Confirmation
  Marriage
  Priesthood
Virgin?Birth   Clerical celibacy
  Anointing of the Sick
Other Church Teaching
Mary
The Word of God
Heaven, Purgatory and Hell

<<  Third and Fourth CenturiesSpacer>>

The Early Church Fathers on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

  • Early Church Fathers
  • From the Scriptures

 

 

  1. St. Cyprian of Carthage, (A.D. 200-258)
    Firmilian of Cæsarea, (A.D. 210-272)
    Lactantius, (A.D. 240-c.330)
    Eusebius of Cæsarea, (A.D. c.263-338)
    The Apostolic Constitutions, (dated A.D. c. 270)
    St. Athanasius of Alexandria, (A.D. 296-372)
    Council of Laodicea, (A.D 363-364)
    St. Macarius Of Alexandria, (A.D late 3rd century-395)
    Macarius of Egypt, (A.D. c.300-391)
    St. Ephrem the Syrian, (of Edessa), (A.D. 306-378)
    St. Pacian of Barcelona, (A.D. c.310-375)
    Council of Neocæsarea, (held in A.D. 315)
    St. Hilary of Poitiers, (A.D. 315-367)
    St. Optatus of Milevis, (unknown - A.D. 384)
    St. Cyril of Jerusalem, (A.D. 315-386)
    St. Gregory of Nazianzen, (A.D. 318-389)
    St. Basil the Great, (A.D. 328-379)
    St. Epiphanius of Salamis, (A.D. 332-403)
    Pope St. Siricius, (A.D. c.334-398)
    Council of Alexandria, (A.D. 339)
    St. Ambrose of Milan, (A.D. 340-396)
    St. Philastrius of Brescia, (unknown-ca.397)
    St. Jerome, (A.D. 342-420)
    Canons Of The Apostles, (A.D. c. 400)
    St. Gaudentius of Brescia, (unknown - A.D. 410)
    Theophilus of Alexandria, (unknown-A.D. 412)
St. Cyprian of Carthage, (A.D. 200-258), North African; bishop; biblical scholar, martyr.

Writing to Celerinus, whose relatives had been martyred:

"We always, as you remember, offer sacrifices for them as often as we celebrate the sufferings and days of the martyrs in the anniversary commemoration."

Quoted from Cabinet of Catholic Information, a collection of lectures and writings of eminent prelates and priests of the Catholic Church in America and Europe by Rev. J.M. Lucey. Copyright Duggan Publishing Company, Buffalo, New York, 1904, page 98.

To the bodies also of all those, who, though they were not put to the torture in prison, nevertheless depart by the outlet of a glorious death, let a more zealous watchfulness and care be given. For neither their resolution, nor their honor, is the less so as to prevent them too from being classed amongst the blessed martyrs. . . . Finally, note also the days on which they depart, that we may celebrate commemorations of them also amongst the memories of the martyrs. Although our most faithful and devoted brother Tertullius, in accordance with the rest of that solicitude and care which he exhibits towards the brethren in every attentive labor of love (and who in his neighborhood is not wanting in attention to the bodies of the dead), has written, and still writes and signifies to me the days on which, in prison, our blessed brethren, by the issue of a glorious death, pass to immortality; and here are celebrated by us for commemorations of them, oblations and sacrifices, which we will speedily, with the Lord's protection, celebrate with you."

Ep. xxxvii. Ad Clerum, pp. 114-16.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 407-408

"It is assuredly the great honor and glory of our episcopate to have granted peace to martyrs; that so we, as priests who daily celebrate the sacrifices of God, may prepare sacrifices and victims for God."

Ep. liv. ad Cornel, p. 172.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 408

Firmilian of Cæsarea, (A.D. 210-272), Cappadocian; bishop, contemporary of Gregory Thaumaturge, ardent admirer of Origen; remembered for the moral support he gave St. Cyprian of Carthage on the issue of baptizing heretics.

"And this woman [possessed, as he describes her, by an evil spirit], who had already, by the wiles and deceits of the devil, devised many things to deceive the faithful, amongst other things with which she had deluded many, frequently ventured on this also, to pretend, and with no contemptible invocation, to consecrate bread, and to celebrate the Eucharist, and she offered sacrifice to the Lord, without the mystery (sacrament) of the accustomed public prayers."

Ep. lxxv. {inter op. S. Cypr.) p. 306.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 414

Lactantius, (A.D. 240-c.330), was an early Christian author, the goal of his writings was to present Christianity in a form that would be attractive to philosophical pagans.

The Catholic Church is therefore the only one that retains the true worship. This is the source of truth; this the dwelling-place of faith; this the temple of God, which whosoever enters not, or from which whosoever departs, he is an alien from the hope of life, and eternal salvation. No one ought to flatter himself by means of obstinate disputation; for life and salvation are at stake, which, if not prudently and sedulously looked to, are lost and utterly destroyed.

But, as every sect of heretics thinks itself above every other Christian, the Catholic Church, it is to be known is the true Church wherein are Confession and penitence, which wholesomely heal the wounds and sins to which the weakness of the flesh is subject.
Thus much, in a few words, have I set down by way of admonition, lest any one desirous of avoiding error become entangled in a greater error, whilst ignorant of the shrine of truth."

Divin. Inst. L. iv. c. 30.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 1, page 43-44

Eusebius of Cæsarea, (A.D. c.263-338), appointed Bishop of Cæsarea in A.D. 314, Roman historian, exegete and Christian polemicist, scholar of the Biblical canon who was deeply embroiled in the Arian controversy.

"Who but our Savior alone delivered to His votaries to celebrate unbloody and rational sacrifices. For this cause over the whole inhabited earth, altars have been erected, and there have been consecration of churches and liturgies truly hallowed of rational and intellectual sacrifices are offered to God."

Quoted from Cabinet of Catholic Information, a collection of lectures and writings of eminent prelates and priests of the Catholic Church in America and Europe by Rev. J.M. Lucey. Copyright Duggan Publishing Company, Buffalo, New York, 1904, page 98.

Having contended, from the example of Melchisedech, and of others, that the primitive religion resembled that of Christ in many of those particulars wherein our Savior modified, or changed the law of Moses, he applies this remark, amongst other matters, to sacrifice, and proceeds to show that the Jewish prophets had foretold the change:

"Malachi at the same time addresses the following to those of the circumcision, and prophesies the same of the Gentiles, saying: "I have no pleasure in you, says the Almighty God, and sacrifices I will not receive from, your hands; for from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name has been glorified amongst the Gentiles, and in every place incense is offered to my name, and a clean oblation." (Malachi 1:10-11) For, that there is in every place incense and sacrifice offered up to God, what else does it signify but that, not in Jerusalem, nor in that place, separately, but in every place, and in every nation, there would be offered up to the Supreme God incense, through prayers, and that sacrifice which is called clean, not by means of blood, but by pious actions. And Isaiah cries aloud and proclaims, at once prophesying and declaring, "There shall be an altar to the, Lord in the land of Egypt, and the Lord shall be known to the Egyptians, and He shall send them a man that shall save them, and the Egyptians shall know the Lord in that day, and shall make sacrifices, and shall vow vows to the Lord, and perform them, and they shall return to the Lord, and He shall be entreated of them, and heal them." (Isaiah 19) . . . Moses passes a law that an altar and sacrifices be established in no other part of the earth, save in Judea only, and in one city only of that country; whereas the prophecy says that an altar would be built to the Lord in this land of Egypt, and that the Egyptians themselves would offer sacrifices to the God of the prophets, and no longer to their ancestral gods, . . . and they no longer make their vows to many lords, but, according to the sacred word, to the one only Lord, and to Him, throughout the whole inhabited world, there has been raised an altar of bloodless and rational sacrifices according to the mysteries of the New Testament."

Demons. Evang. l. i. c. 6, pp. 19, 20.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 415-417

The Apostolic Constitutions (or Constitutions of the Holy Apostles), dated A.D.c 270, is a Christian collection of eight treatises which belongs to genre of the Church Orders.

Having spoken of the Jewish priesthood, the writer says:

"You therefore, O bishops, are in these days, to your people, priests, Levites, the sacred ministers in that sacred tabernacle, the holy Catholic Church, and have your station at the altar of the Lord your God, and offer unto Him the rational and unbloody sacrifices, through Jesus Christ, the great High Priest. You are, to the laymen amongst you, prophets, rulers, and leaders and kings; the mediators between God and those who believe in Him; the receivers and heralds of the word; the skilled in the Scriptures; the voices of God, and the witnesses of His will."

Lib. ii. c. xxv.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 461

"Neither do we suffer laymen to perform any of the sacerdotal functions, such as sacrifice or baptism, or the imposition of hands, or the greater or lesser blessing; for let no one assume to himself the honor, but he who has been called of God. For, through the imposition of the hands of the bishop, such like dignity is given; but he who has not had it committed into his hands, but has seized it for himself, shall undergo the punishment of Ozias."

Lib. l. iii. c. x.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 462

St. Athanasius of Alexandria, (A.D. 296-372), Egyptian; bishop, theologian, and Doctor of the Church. He was present, as an assistant to St. Alexander of Alexandria, at the council of Nicea who he succeeded in A.D. 326. During more than forty years he was the champion of orthodoxy, and suffered much severe persecution from the Arian party.

"I will not gather together their meetings for blood-offerings." (Psalm 15) When I gather together, says He, meetings from amongst the Gentiles, I will not gather them by means of blood-offerings: that is, I will not arrange that I shall be approached by the worship of the Law, but rather by means of praise and the unbloody sacrifice."

Expos, in Ps. t. i. P. 2, p. 817.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 425

"I will go into Thy house with burnt-offerings." (Psalm 65), Thy heavenly to wit, and with spiritual burnt-offerings. But these, he says, O Lord, are Thine; but ours are these, — to enter into the temple and to sacrifice eucharistic gifts."

Exp. in Ps. lxv. t. ii. Nova Coll. Montf. p. 99.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 425

Council of Laodicea, (A.D 363-364), was a regional synod of approximately thirty clerics from Asia Minor in Laodicea, Phrygia Pacatiana.The major concerns of the Council involved regulating the conduct of church members. The council expressed its decrees in the form of written rules or canons.

"After the presbyters have given the peace to the bishop, the laity are then to give the peace, and so the holy oblation is to be completed: and it is to be allowed to the sacred ministers only to enter in to the altar, and communicate."

Com. xix. col. 1499, Labb. t. i.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 467

St. Macarius of Alexandria, (late 3rd century - A.D. 395), also known as Marcarius the Younger, an extreme ascetic and disciple of St. Anthony ; he died, at an extreme old age, in the year 395., numerous miracles were ascribed to him. He presided over five thousand Nitric monks.

"If thou art present at Mass, keep a guard over thy thoughts and senses, and stand with trembling before the most high God, that thou may be worthy to receive the body of Christ and the blood, and may cure thy passions."

Reg. ad Mon. n. 37, p. 323.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 441

"It is needful that they refrain on the sabbath, and on the Lord's day, on account of the spiritual sacrifice being offered up to the Lord on these days."

Galland. T. vii. Resp. Canon. p. 349.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 441

Macarius of Egypt, (A.D. c.300-391), also known as Macarius the Elder and the Lamp of the Desert was an Egyptian Christian monk, hermit and priest. contemporary with St. Athanasius, and the friend of the great St. Anthony, died at the advanced age of ninety, after passing sixty years in the desert.

"As, in this visible Church, unless first the lectures, the psalmody, and whatever else follows according to ecclesiastical order have preceded, it is not the appointed course for the priest to consummate the divine mystery of the body and blood of Christ; so, on the other hand, though all the ecclesiastical regulations be complied with, but the mystic Eucharist of the oblation by the priest, and the communion of the body of Christ take not place, the ecclesiastical rite has not been completed, and the divine worship of the mystery is imperfect."

Ascet. de Charit. n. 29, p. 207, Galland. T. vii.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 440

St. Ephrem the Syrian, (of Edessa), (A.D. 306-378), Syrian; born in Nisebis, deacon, hymnist, poet. His works were even during his own lifetime almost all translated into Greek, and were, as St. Jerome informs us, held in such high estimation, as to be read in some churches after the Holy Scriptures. We have his life by St. Gregory of Nyssa.

"Who can adequately celebrate the potency and excellence of the sacrifice, seeing that it is so great, that no language can reach its holiness? Whoever carefully examines the books of Moses, will thence derive perfect conviction, that as soon as the high priest, Aaron, took the censer, and fled suppliantly to the altar, he expelled from the army of the Israelites a most fearful pestilence; so grateful that is, most bountiful God, was the sweetness of that incense, as instantly to appease Thy wrath. These things being so, lo! our priesthood offers unto Thee a like gift; cause, therefore, that, by virtue of it, the pestilence that afflicts Thy servants, be dispersed. The sweet odors that we burn to Thee, ought not certainly to be less acceptable to Thee, than those which Aaron of old offered. And as, by the benefit accruing from them, the pestilence was driven away from Israel, against which Thy wrath was justly and deservedly enkindled; so also, by the aid of these, let there be utterly repelled from Thy Church all schisms and contentions, which, in a lamentable manner, break up her unity. Let also the singular excellence of this oblation be of benefit to our forefathers, who, having openly confessed Thy name, have, in Thy hope, departed this life; that, when Thou shalt again revisit this earth, they may happily enter with Thee into that rest which is full of delight."

T. iii. Syr. Paraen. 61, p. 528.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 430-431

"Oh the incredible miracle, the ineffable power, the tremendous mystery of the priesthood! ... It ascends without hindrance unto the Heaven of heavens; it gloriously and easily takes its stand in the midst of the angels and the incorporeal spirits. And why do I say in the midst of the powers above? It becomes the familiar of the Lord of angels, and of the Creator and giver of light. . . . What language shall I use, or what words of praise? for the gift of the dignity of the priesthood transcends both language and thought. And this, in my opinion, is what Paul, struck with amazement, insinuates, when he says, "Oh the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments, and how unsearchable His ways." (Romans 11:33) It flies aloft from earth to Heaven, most swiftly bearing unto God our petitions, and intercedes with the Master on behalf of His servants. Let us, my brethren, penetrate clearly into this mystical and tremendous subject; since without the venerable priesthood remission of sins is not granted to man. . . . The priesthood confidently soars aloft from earth to Heaven, even until it gazes on Him who is the invisible, and prostrate prays for the servants to their Master, bearing the tears and groans of its fellow-servants, and fervently bearing also to its own Master prayer and penitence; imploring pardon, and pity, and mercy from the merciful King, in order that the Spirit the Paraclete may at the same time descend and sanctify the gifts which lie to open view on earth; and when the fearful mysteries of complete immortality have been offered by means of the presiding priest who makes intercession for all, then do souls draw nigh, receiving purification from their stains by means of the tremendous mysteries. You see, beloved of God, how the two things on earth are not operative, unless the heavenly decree supervene and sanctify the gifts. Thou hast seen the glorious wonder-working; thou beholds the sacred dignity how easily it cleanses away the stains that are upon souls. ... Oh the ineffable power that has vouchsafed to dwell within us by means of the imposition of the sacred hands of priests."

T. iii. Gr. De Sacerdotio, p. 1-3.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 431-433

St. Pacian of Barcelona, (A.D. c.310-375), bishop of Barcelona, Jerome praises his eloquence, learning, chastity, and holiness of life. He is also remembered from a phrase from one of his letters: "My name is Christian, my surname is Catholic.".

"Who but our Savior alone delivered to His votaries to celebrate unbloody and rational sacrifices. For this cause over the whole inhabited earth, altars have been erected, and there have been consecration of churches and liturgies truly hallowed of rational and intellectual sacrifices are offered to God."

Quoted from Cabinet of Catholic Information, a collection of lectures and writings of eminent prelates and priests of the Catholic Church in America and Europe by Rev. J.M. Lucey. Copyright Duggan Publishing Company, Buffalo, New York, 1904, page 98.

Council of NeoCæsarea, (held in A.D. 315), in NeoCæsarea, Ponus. Its principal work was the adoption of fifteen disciplinary canons, which were subsequently accepted as ecumenical by the Council of Chalcedon, 451.

If a presbyter who had formerly sinned with his body should be promoted, and should confess that he had sinned before ordination, let him not make the oblation; abiding however in the rest of (his offices), on account of his diligence in other respects. . . .
But if he confess not, and cannot be clearly convicted, he is to be left at liberty in that matter."

Can. ix. col. 1481, t i. Labb.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 466-467

St. Hilary of Poitiers, (A.D. 315-367), French; husband, theologian, bishop of Poiters around A.D. 355, and Doctor of the Church. Referred to as the "Hammer of the Arians" and the "Athanasius of the West.". He was obviously a firm supporter of St. Athanasius.

"Thy tribunes (Constantius) made their way to the holy of holies, and forcing for themselves a path through the people, with every kind of cruelty, have dragged priests from the altar. Dost thou think, thou wicked king, that thy sin is less than the impiety of the Jews? They indeed shed the blood of Zacharias, but thou, as far as was in thy power, hast torn from Christ those who are incorporated with Christ."

Liber. Contr. Const, n. xi. p. 571.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 423

In the next historical fragment, Hilary gives the Arian accusations against the Catholics, and especially against St. Athanasius, and amongst the other calumnies:

"Presbyters were by him (Paul, bishop of Constantinople) dragged naked to the forum, and that, — a thing to be told with tears and sorrow, — he profaned openly and publicly the consecrated body of the Lord, which he hung round the necks of priests. "

Ex op. Hist. Fragm. iii. (Decr. Syn. Sard.) n. 9, p. 653.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 423-424

St. Optatus of Milevis, (unknown - A.D. 384), bishop of Milevis, Numidia, in Africa; from Augustine's writings we can assume Optatus was a convert; he is best known for his opposition to the heresy of Donatism.

"And now in this place may also be justly condemned that falsehood of yours, with which the sacrifices are daily tainted by you. For who can have a doubt that you cannot possibly omit what is a legitimate thing in the mystery of the sacraments? You say that you offer to God for the Church that is one; this very thing is a part of the falsehood, for you to call that one, of which you have made two: and you say that you offer to God for that one Church which is spread throughout the whole world. What if God should say to each of you,

"Why do you offer for the whole Church, when you are not in the whole Church?"

De Schism. Donat. l. ii. n. 12.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 427

St. Cyril of Jerusalem, (A.D. 315-386), Palestinian; ordained by Maximus, he was made bishop of Jerusalem in A.D. 345; scholar and Doctor of the Church. None of his writings have been preserved to us, except eighteen catechetical instructions addressed to catechumens, and five mystagogic discourses addressed to neophytes.

Then, we pray [in the anaphora] [part of the Mass] for the holy fathers and bishops who have fallen asleep, and in general for all who have fallen asleep before us, in the belief that it is a great benefit to the souls on whose behalf the supplication is offered, while the holy and tremendous Victim is present. . . . By offering to God our supplications for those who have fallen asleep, if they have sinned, we . . . offer Christ sacrificed for the sins of all, and so render favorable, for them and for us, the God who loves man.

Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1371
Catech. myst. 5,9,10:PG 33,1116-1117 [A.D. 350]

Then, having sanctified ourselves by these spiritual hymns, we beseech the merciful God to send forth his Holy Spirit upon the gifts lying before him, that he may make the bread the body of Christ and the wine the blood of Christ, for whatsoever the Holy Spirit has touched is surely sanctified and changed. Then, upon the completion of the spiritual sacrifice, the bloodless worship, over that propitiatory victim we call upon God for the common peace of the churches, for the welfare of the world, for kings, for soldiers and allies, for the sick, for the afflicted; and in summary, we all pray and offer this sacrifice for all who are in need.

Catechetical Lectures 23:7-8 [A.D. 350]

St. Gregory of Nazianzen, (A.D. 318-389), Cappadocian; archbishop, theologian, Doctor of the Church.

"I will also keep my tongue pure for the pure sacrifices, whereby I unite the Mighty King to beings of clay: for, from no alien tongue, and impure mind, will I send up to the pure the life-bearing sacrifice."

T. ii. Carm. liv. p. 129.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 4

St. Basil the Great, (A.D. 328-379), Cappadocian; bishop of Cæsarea in A.D. 369, theologian, monk. Studied in Palestine, Constantinople, and Athens. Many of the subsequent years of his life were spent in the deserts of Egypt and Libya. His character and works have gained for him the surname of "the great".

Then, we pray [in the anaphora] [part of the Mass] for the holy fathers and bishops who have fallen asleep, and in general for all who have fallen asleep before us, in the belief that it is a great benefit to the souls on whose behalf the supplication is offered, while the holy and tremendous Victim is present. . . . By offering to God our supplications for those who have fallen asleep, if they have sinned, we . . . offer Christ sacrificed for the sins of all, and so render favorable, for them and for us, the God who loves man.

Catechism of the Catholic Church CCC 1371
Catech. myst. 5,9,10:PG 33,1116-1117 [A.D. 350]

Then, having sanctified ourselves by these spiritual hymns, we beseech the merciful God to send forth his Holy Spirit upon the gifts lying before him, that he may make the bread the body of Christ and the wine the blood of Christ, for whatsoever the Holy Spirit has touched is surely sanctified and changed. Then, upon the completion of the spiritual sacrifice, the bloodless worship, over that propitiatory victim we call upon God for the common peace of the churches, for the welfare of the world, for kings, for soldiers and allies, for the sick, for the afflicted; and in summary, we all pray and offer this sacrifice for all who are in need.

Catechetical Lectures 23:7-8 [A.D. 350]

Question: "Can one that is not purified from every defilement of soul and body eat the body and drink the blood of the Lord without danger?

St. Basil answers: "Seeing that, in the law, God decreed the severest punishment against him that has dared, in a state of uncleanness, to touch the holy things, it is written typically for them, but for our instruction, "And the Lord spoke to Moses, Speak to Aaron, and to his sons, etc." (Leviticus 22:1-3) If a threat so grievous be set down against those who rashly approach to what is sanctified by men, what shall one say against him who has dared against such and so great a mystery? For in the same proportion as "There is here something greater than the temple" according to Christ's declaration, in that same proportion is it more grievous and fearful to dare to touch, with the soul in a state of defilement, the body of Christ, beyond what it is to touch goats or oxen; agreeably to that saying of the Apostle, "Wherefore whosoever shall eat the bread, or drink ths chalice of the Lord unworthily etc." (1 Corinthians 11) And he says, setting forth the judgment as more complete and fearful by the repetition, "Let a man prove himself, etc." (1 Corinthians 11:28-9). Now, if he who though only in a state of uncleanness has so fearful a judgment, how much more does he who is in sin, and yet dare attempt against the body of the Lord, draw down upon himself a more dreadful judgment? Let us, therefore, be cleansed from all defilement, and so approach the holy things, that we may escape the judgment of those who slew the Lord, seeing that Whosoever eateth the bread, or drinketh the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall, be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord." (1 Corinthians 11:27)

L. ii. de Baptismo Quaest. 2-3, T. ii. P. ii. pp. 927-29.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 438-440

St. Epiphanius of Salamis, (A.D. 332-403), Palestinian; bishop, abbot, scholar.

"The priesthood was transferred to that order which was before that of Levi and Aaron, unto that which was according to the order of Melchisedech, as it is now administered in the Church, from Christ even unto these days; the race not being chosen by succession of blood, but the type sought for being virtue."

T. i. Adv. Hæres. (55), p. 470.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 442

Pope St. Siricius, (A.D. c.334-398), an active Pope, involved in the administration of the Church and the handling of various factions and viewpoints within it; author of two decrees concerning clerical celibacy. The decree of A.D. 385 stated that priests should stop cohabiting with their wives.

"All we priests and levites are bound, by an indissoluble law, to give, from the day of our consecration, our hearts and bodies to sobriety and chastity, if we would be, in all things, pleasing to our God, in those sacrifices which we daily offer."

Ep. i. ad Himer. n. 9, Galland. T. vii. p. 535.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 441-442

Council of Alexandria (A.D. 339) one of several councils held in the year 339, in defense of Athanasius of Alexandria and centered around the Arian heresy..

"Our sanctuaries, as always, so now are pure, being most venerable by the alone blood of Christ, and by our worship of Him."

Epist. Synod, col. 538, Labb. t. ii.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 467-468

St. Ambrose of Milan, (A.D. 340-396), German; reluctantly made bishop in the A.D. 374., Doctor of the Church. He closed a great and glorious career in A.D. 396. We have his life by Paulinus.

We saw the prince of priests coming to us, we saw and heard him offering his blood for us. We follow, inasmuch as we are able, being priests, and we offer the sacrifice on behalf of the people. Even if we are of but little merit, still, in the sacrifice, we are honorable. Even if Christ is not now seen as the one who offers the sacrifice, nevertheless it is he himself that is offered in sacrifice here on earth when the body of Christ is offered. Indeed, to offer himself he is made visible in us, he whose word makes holy the sacrifice that is offered.

Commentaries on twelve Psalms of David 38:25 [A.D. 389]

"In the matter of such a festival (Easter) we ought not to fluctuate in a mere vain opinion, but having ascertained the true time of celebrating it, the love of all the brethren should so conspire as to offer up on the same night sacrifice in every place for the Lord's Resurrection."

T. ii. Ep. 23, Epis. per Æmil. Constit. n. i. p. 881.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 445

St. Philastrius of Brescia (also Philaster or Filaster), (unknown-ca.397), Spanish;;Bishop of Brescia, he was one of the bishops present at a synod held in Aquileia in A.D. 381. St. Augustine met him at Milan about A.D. 383. He composed a catalogue of heresies (Diversarum Hereseon Liber) about A.D. 384.

"But what say you to the fact, that Melchisedech, in the time of Abraham, foreseeing the mystery of Christianity, offered sacrifice four hundred years before the Jews had even a name . . .? That thou mightest understand that everything in Christianity, be it faith, or life, or sacrament, is not of a temporary nature, but determined on, and announced, yes even celebrated from the beginning of the world."

De Hæres. n. 82, Galland. T. vii. p. 502.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 441

St. Jerome, (A.D. 342-420), Dalmatian; born in Strido; priest, hermit, abbot, biblical scholar, translator and Doctor of the Church. In an age distinguished by men of the greatest eloquence and learning, St. Jerome, especially in all matters connected with the Sacred Scriptures, was then preeminent, and has probably never since been equalled.

"Thou art a priest forever according to the order of Melchisedech"; our mystery is denoted by the word "order"; that not by immolating irrational victims through Aaron, but bread and wine, that is, the body and blood of the Lord Jesus, being the oblation (offered up)."

T. iii. Quaest. Hebr, in Genes, col. 329.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 447

"Now, if laymen are ordered to refrain from their wives for the sake of prayer, what is to be thought of a bishop, who has daily to offer up spotless victims for his own sins, and those of the people? Let us read again the books of Kings, and we shall find that Abimelech the priest . . . .would never have given David and the young men the show-bread which he had at first refused, had he not learned that they had refrained from all commerce with their wives on that day, and the two preceding days. There is as great a difference between the loaves of proposition, and Christ's body, as there is between a shadow, and (real) bodies, between an image and the verity, between patterns of things to come, and those very things which were prefigured by those patterns. Let the mind that is about to make the body of Christ, be free not only from an unclean act, but from every indecent glance, every wandering of the mind."

T. vii. Comm,. in Ep. ad Tit. col. 712 (misp. for 702).
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 448-449

Canons Of The Apostles (A.D. c. 400) the Apostolic Canons or Ecclesiastical Canons of the Same Holy Apostles is a collection of ancient ecclesiastical decrees concerning the government and discipline of the Early Christian Church, first found as last chapter of the eighth book of the Apostolic Constitutions and belonging to genre of the Church Orders. Thought to have been really compiled by the Apostles, whilst, by others, it is repudiated, and referred to the close of the fifth century.

"If any bishop or presbyter offer any other things at the altar, besides that which the Lord ordained for the sacrifice ... let him be deposed. . .Neither let it be allowed to bring anything else to the altar at the time of the holy oblation, excepting oil for the lamp, and incense."

Can. iii. col. 26, t. i. Labb.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 466

St. Gaudentius of Brescia, (unknown - A.D. 410), Italian; became bishop around A.D. 387, theologian and author of many letters and sermons, held in high esteem by the people of Brescia.

There are two reasons wherefore He appointed the sacraments of His body and blood to be offered under the appearance of bread and wine.

First, that the spotless Lamb of God might deliver a clean victim to a cleansed people; to be offered without burning, or blood, or broth, that is without juices from flesh, and a victim which might easily be procured and easily offered by all men.

In the second place, as we know that bread which is made out of many grains of wheat, which reduced to flour, must needs be made with water, and brought to perfection by fire, therein is reasonably apprehended a figure of the body of Christ, who, as we know, was made into one body, kneaded out of the mass of the whole human race, a body perfected by the fire of the Holy Ghost, for He was conceived of the Holy Ghost.

In like manner the wine of His own blood, gathered together out of many bunches, that is grapes of the vine planted by Himself, is expressed in the wine-press of the cross, and by its own virtue ferments in the capacious vessels of those who receive with a faithful heart. You who are going forth from the bondage of Egypt, and of Pharaoh, the devil, receive with me with all the eagerness of a religious heart this sacrifice of the passover of the Saviour, that our inmost bowels may be sanctified by onr Lord Jesus Christ Himself, whom we believe to be in His own sacraments."

De Pasch. Observ. Tr. ii. pp. 947-48. T. v. Bibl. Maxim. SS. PP.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 460-461

Theophilus of Alexandria (unknown-A.D. 412), patriarch of Alexandria from A.D. 385 until his death in 412, regarded as a saint by the Coptic Orthodox Church.

"The things that are offered up for the sake of sacrifice, let the clerics divide, after that has been consumed which is needful for the mysteries and of those things let not any catechumen eat or drink, but only clerics, and the faithful brethren who are with them."

Can. vii. Galland. T. vii. p. 606.
The Faith of Catholics, Volume 2, Page 442

 

 

Our Savior, in leaving to us His Body and Blood, under two distinct species or kinds, instituted not only a sacrament, but also the sacrifice; the commemorative sacrifice, distinctly showing His passion and death until He comes in glory. As the sacrifice of the cross was performed by a distinct effusion of His blood, so is that sacrifice is commemorated and re-presented on the altars in Catholic parishes symbolically. The separate acts of the priest [consecrating the leavened wheat bread into His Body, then subsequently consecrating the grape wine into His Precious Blood] represent death because if you separate your body from your blood, you will die. The actions of the priest at Mass bring forth the reality of Calvary. Jesus, therefore, is here given not only to us, but for us; and the Church is thereby enriched with a true, proper, and propitiatory sacrifice. We say propitiatory because it re-presents, in a lively manner, the passion and death of our Lord, and is peculiarly pleasing to our eternal Father, and thus more effectually applies to us the all-sufficient merits of the sacrifice of the cross.

 

 

The Church's Scriptures that support the [Eucharist or the Mass]:


The Mass foretold in the Old Testament:

10 Who is there even among you who would shut the doors, So that you would not kindle fire on My altar in vain? I have no pleasure in you," Says the Lord of hosts, "Nor will I accept an offering from your hands. 11 For from the rising of the sun, even to its going down, My name shall be great among the Gentiles; In every place incense shall be offered to My name, And a pure offering; For My name shall be great among the nations," Says the Lord of hosts.

Malachi 1:10-11

Matthew's Account of the Last Supper:

26 Now as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to the disciples and said, "Take, eat; this is my body." 27 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, saying, "Drink of it, all of you; 28 for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins. 29 I tell you I shall not drink again of this fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new with you in my Father's kingdom."


Matthew 26:26-29

Mark's Account of the Last Supper:

22 And as they were eating, he took bread, and blessed, and broke it, and gave it to them, and said, "Take; this is my body." 23 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he gave it to them, and they all drank of it. 24 And he said to them, "This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many. 25 Truly, I say to you, I shall not drink again of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God."

Mark 14:22-25

Luke's Account of the Last Supper:

13 And they went, and found it as he had told them; and they prepared the passover. 14 And when the hour came, he sat at table, and the apostles with him. 15 And he said to them, "I have earnestly desired to eat this passover with you before I suffer; 16 for I tell you I shall not eat it until it is fulfilled in the kingdom of God." 17 And he took a cup, and when he had given thanks he said, "Take this, and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I tell you that from now on I shall not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes." 19 And he took bread, and when he had given thanks he broke it and gave it to them, saying, "This is my body which is given for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 20 And likewise the cup after supper, saying, "This cup which is poured out for you is the new covenant in my blood.

Luke 22:13-20

St. Paul proclaims and catechizes on the Mass.

16 The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not a participation in the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not a participation in the body of Christ? 17 Because there is one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread. 18 Consider the people of Israel; are not those who eat the sacrifices partners in the altar? 19 What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? 20 No, I imply that what pagans sacrifice they offer to demons and not to God. I do not want you to be partners with demons. 21 You cannot drink the cup of the Lord and the cup of demons. You cannot partake of the table of the Lord and the table of demons. 22 Shall we provoke the Lord to jealousy? Are we stronger than he?

 

1 Corinthians 10:16-21

Abuses of the Lord's Supper

17 But in the following instructions I do not commend you, because when you come together it is not for the better but for the worse. 18 For, in the first place, when you assemble as a church, I hear that there are divisions among you; and I partly believe it, 19 for there must be factions among you in order that those who are genuine among you may be recognized. 20 When you meet together, it is not the Lord's supper that you eat. 21 For in eating, each one goes ahead with his own meal, and one is hungry and another is drunk. 22 What! Do you not have houses to eat and drink in? Or do you despise the church of God and humiliate those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this? No, I will not.


1 Corinthians 11:17-22

St. Paul proclaims and catechizes on the Mass.

23 For I received from the Lord what I also delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus on the night when he was betrayed took bread, 24 and when he had given thanks, he broke it, and said, "This is my body which is for you. Do this in remembrance of me." 25 In the same way also the cup, after supper, saying, "This cup is the new covenant in my blood. Do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me." 26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink the cup, you proclaim the Lord's death until he comes.

 

1 Corinthians 11:23-26

Partaking of the Lord's Supper unworthily.

27 Whoever, therefore, eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord in an unworthy manner will be guilty of profaning the body and blood of the Lord. 28 Let a man examine himself, and so eat of the bread and drink of the cup. 29 For any one who eats and drinks without discerning the body eats and drinks judgment upon himself. 30 That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died.

 

1 Corinthians 11:27-30

If the Eucharist were just a symbol, why does Paul say, "That is why many of you are weak and ill, and some have died." If the Eucharist is just a symbol it shouldn't have effected them.

From the author of Hebrews.

1 For every high priest chosen from among men is appointed to act on behalf of men in relation to God, to offer gifts and sacrifices for sins. 2 He can deal gently with the ignorant and wayward, since he himself is beset with weakness. 3 Because of this he is bound to offer sacrifice for his own sins as well as for those of the people. 4 And one does not take the honor upon himself, but he is called by God, just as Aaron was.


Hebrews 5:1-4

 

10 We have an altar from which those who serve the tent have no right to eat. 11 For the bodies of those animals whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest as a sacrifice for sin are burned outside the camp. 12 So Jesus also suffered outside the gate in order to sanctify the people through his own blood.


Hebrews 13:10-12

 

Please report any and all typos or grammatical errors.
Suggestions for this web page and the web site can be sent to Mike Humphrey
Untitled Document