inundado por um mistério de luz que é Deus e N´Ele vi e ouvi -A ponta da lança como chama que se desprende, toca o eixo da terra, – Ela estremece: montanhas, cidades, vilas e aldeias com os seus moradores são sepultados. - O mar, os rios e as nuvens saem dos seus limites, transbordam, inundam e arrastam consigo num redemoinho, moradias e gente em número que não se pode contar , é a purificação do mundo pelo pecado em que se mergulha. - O ódio, a ambição provocam a guerra destruidora! - Depois senti no palpitar acelerado do coração e no meu espírito o eco duma voz suave que dizia: – No tempo, uma só Fé, um só Batismo, uma só Igreja, Santa, Católica, Apostólica: - Na eternidade, o Céu! 1. Adoration – through the Mass, we give God solemn worship, praise and honor.
2. Thanksgiving – through the Mass, we thank God for all He has bestowed.
3. Propitiation – through the Mass (the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Christ upon Calvary), God’s justice for the sins of mankind is satisfied.
4. Petition – through the Mass, we present God with our needs and ask for graces.
2. Thanksgiving – through the Mass, we thank God for all He has bestowed.
3. Propitiation – through the Mass (the re-presentation of the Sacrifice of Christ upon Calvary), God’s justice for the sins of mankind is satisfied.
4. Petition – through the Mass, we present God with our needs and ask for graces.
The parish of Santissima Trinita dei Pellegrini, Rome: Mass celebrated by Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos
Perhaps it’s obvious, but the four ends of the Mass are all directed towards God:
Adore (God)
Thanksgiving (to God)
Propitiation (to God the Father)
Petition (to God)
Thanksgiving (to God)
Propitiation (to God the Father)
Petition (to God)
When the Mass is directed towards God, it has consequent benefits: unity, sanctification, peace, etc. These benefits obtain par excellance when the Eucharist is faithfully and properly received.
Once you inject other “ends” into the Mass, you fork energies and thereby distract from the True End that alone confers these benefits. Trying to impose “ends” that are not directed to God to the Mass makes the essence of the Mass more blurred, more human centered (unity, sanctification, peace…etc) as if these fruits are the essence of the Mass rather than consequences that flow from the four traditional ends, which they are, and nothing more.
To the list of unity, sanctification, peace one could add fruits such as spiritual strength to overcome one’s temptations, spiritual consolation, fore-taste of the Heavenly Bliss…..the list goes on and on. But one knows they are all derived from the four principal ends.