Eucharistic Sacrifice
Is the altar also a sacrifice? Whether the Mass re-presents Calvary divides the churches
This is the understanding that the Eucharist re-presents Christ's one offering on the cross, a notion rooted in early sources like the Didache and defined by the Council of Trent. Here the traditions sharply differ: Catholic and Orthodox Christians affirm the Eucharist as a sacrifice, while the Reformers rejected the Mass as a propitiatory sacrifice, fearing it obscured the once-for-all nature of Christ's death. The dispute concerns what the rite accomplishes, not Christ's saving work itself.
How it traveled
- The Catechetical Lectures of S. CyrilJerusalem · c. 386 CEexplains
- The Homilies of St. John Chrysostom on the Epistle to the HebrewsConstantinople (Istanbul) · c. 407 CEexplains
- Treatise Concerning the Christian PriesthoodConstantinople (Istanbul) · c. 407 CEexplains
- Homilies on First CorinthiansConstantinople (Istanbul) · c. 407 CEexplains
- A Treatise on the Soul and its OriginHippo Regius · c. 430 CEapplies
- City of GodHippo Regius · c. 430 CEredefines
- Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90)Paris · c. 1274 CEexplains
- Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59)Paris · c. 1274 CEexplains
- An Invitation to Holy CommunionZwolle · c. 1471 CEexplains
- Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic ChurchGeneva · c. 1564 CEredefines
Key passages(20)
Each passage is tagged by what it does with the idea: explains it, applies it in practice, redefines it with a new meaning, or challenges it. Relevance shows how directly the passage is about this idea.
Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Objection 3: Further, the origin of sin within us is "the law of sin, which is in our members," as declared by the Apostle (Rom. 7:23). But the lessening of the fomes, which is the law of sin, is set
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
The reality of this sacrament is charity, not only as to its habit, but also as to its act, which is kindled in this sacrament; and by this means venial sins are forgiven. Consequently, it is manifest
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Objection 2: Further, in the other sacraments the minister does not give the sacrament to himself: for no one can baptize himself, as stated above (Q[66], A[5], ad 4). But as Baptism is dispensed in d
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Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
3. Another iniquity chargeable on the mass is, that it sinks and buries the cross and passion of Christ. This much, indeed, is most certain,—the cross of Christ is overthrown the moment an altar is er
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Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
28. There remain the three orders which they call major. Of these, what they call the subdeaconate was transferred to this class, after the crowd of minor began to be prolific. But as they think they
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Treatise Concerning the Christian Priesthood · John Chrysostom
The passage before us must be read in the light of other passages in Chrysostom’s works; but one of these is sufficient to indicate the sense in which it is to be understood. In Homily xvii. c. 3. on
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
We have now to consider the Rite of this sacrament, under which head there are six points of inquiry: (1) Whether Christ is sacrificed in the celebration of this mystery? (2) Of the time of celebrat
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Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
14. Wherefore, I conclude, that it is an abominable insult and intolerable blasphemy, as well against Christ as the sacrifice, which, by his death, he performed for us on the cross, for any one to thi
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Homilies on First Corinthians · John Chrysostom
For as Christ in regard to the bread and the cup said, “Do this in remembrance of Me,” revealing to us the cause of the giving of the Mystery, and besides what else He said, declaring this to be a suf
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Then, regarding the consecration, performed by supernatural power, the people are first of all excited to devotion in the "Preface," hence they are admonished "to lift up their hearts to the Lord," an
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Against Heresies: Book IV · Irenaeus of Lyons
1. The oblation of the Church, therefore, which the Lord gave instructions to be offered throughout all the world, is accounted with God a pure sacrifice, and is acceptable to Him; not that He stands
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Book Fourth. of the Holy Catholic Church · John Calvin
Vid. Calv. Ep. de Fugiend. Illic. Sacris. Item, De Sacerdotiis Eccles. Papal. Item, De Necessitate Reform. Eccles. Item, Epist. ad Sadoletum OF THE POPISH MASS. HOW IT NOT ONLY PROFANES, BUT ANNIHILA
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Treatise on the Incarnation (qq[1]-59) · Thomas Aquinas
Reply to Objection 2: Christ's love was greater than His slayers' malice: and therefore the value of His Passion in atoning surpassed the murderous guilt of those who crucified Him: so much so that Ch
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
I answer that, This sacrament was appropriately instituted at the supper, when Christ conversed with His disciples for the last time. First of all, because of what is contained in the sacrament: for C
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Reply to Objection 3: Although fornication is not graver than other sins, yet men are more prone to it, owing to fleshly concupiscence. Consequently, this sin is specially inhibited to priests by the
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Objection 4: Further, Baptism especially is called the sacrament of faith. Consequently, the truths which belong to instruction in the faith ought rather to be given regarding Baptism than regarding t
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Treatise on the Sacraments (qq[60]-90) · Thomas Aquinas
Reply to Objection 6: As was said above (ad 3), those things are mentioned in this sacrament which belong to the entire Church; and consequently some things which refer to the people are sung by the c
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A Treatise on the Soul and its Origin · Augustine of Hippo
Chapter 13 [XI.]—The Sacrifice of the Body and Blood of Christ Will Not Avail for Unbaptized Persons, and Can Not Be Offered for the Majority of Those Who Die Unbaptized. But even if it be conceded t
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An Invitation to Holy Communion · Thomas à Kempis
HAD you the purity of an angel and the sanctity of St. John the Baptist, you would not be worthy to receive or administer this Sacrament. It is not because of any human meriting that a man consecrates
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An Invitation to Holy Communion · Thomas à Kempis
AS I offered Myself willingly to God the Father for your sins with hands outstretched and body naked on the cross, so that nothing remained in Me that had not become a complete sacrifice to appease th
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