The efficacy of the holy sacrifice does not depend on the worthiness or unworthiness of the priest; he is only the minister of Christ, Who is both Priest and Victim.

    The virtue of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is of itself, quite apart from the worthiness of the priest. For this reason, we do not lose the merits of Holy Mass if it is offered for us by a priest who is not worthy, since Mass has its intrinsic value; in a similar way, a diamond is a diamond, even if the jeweler selling it be a bad man. However, if the man is not truly a priest, then there is no way merits can be applied for it would be no different than you or I saying a Mass, as sacriligious as that sounds.

    Now one can ask if those attending the Novus Ordo who are not aware of how intrinsically evil it is, receive the merits of the Holy Mass. The answer is a definite no unless one also receives merits and grace for attending a Protestant service. We know that is impossible and since today's conciliar church is in actuality a Protestant sect, though larger than all others and still calling itself 'Catholic', it is not for it has veered from the constituted evangelic Tradition and the purity of the orthodox Faith and the Christian religion established by Christ. Since the usurpation of the one true Church those barbarians in charge dared to introduce novelty and heresies that automatically excommunicated them from the bosom of holy Mother Church. Ergo, there is no validity to the new 'Mass' and the most one can attain are a few efficacious graces according to their own knowledge of the situation. If they are aware and still attend the Novus Ordo and contribute to the destruction of the Church by donating to the coffers of this false Church that is such an abomination to Heaven, then no graces of any kind would be forthcoming for they have made their bed and must lie in the filth they have accepted, unless they repent and flee the apostate church of Vatican II.

    So what is a Catholic to do if they do not have a true Mass available to them; if they are unable to attend the traditional Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - the Canonical Apostolic Traditional Latin Mass - as perpetuated for all time as unalterable by Pope Saint Pius V in his infallible Bull Quo Primum? The answer is to stay home and pray the prayers of the Ordinary and Propers of the Mass of that day. If one does not have a pre-Vatican II missal, one may follow here on this site for the DailyCatholic remains the only site in the world to provide the traditional propers for each and every feastday of the liturgical year. By doing so, one definitely receives efficacious graces.

    However, as a good work, the graces and favors are limited, partly by the will of God, and partly by the dispositions of those to whom the fruits are applied. Therefore, the more devotion and reverence we have at the true Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the greater will be the profit we derive.

    The story goes that years ago, two young men went to visit Rome. Their schedule limited their stay there to one day. The first young man, upon arrival, immediately visited all the famous portions of the city, finally ending with a visit to the Holy Father and the Vatican. The second young man, being fatigued by the journey, lay down to rest. He fell asleep and awoke only when it was too dark to go anywhere. Both went to the same city, but one did not profit from his journey.

    An offering is made to the priest who says Mass, to provide for the things necessary for the Sacrifice, and to assist in the support of the priest. In the early years of the Church the faithful, wishing to participate more fully in the oblation, made offerings of bread and wine for the consecration.

    Today it is more convenient to make a money offering. The stipend is most certainly not the price of the Mass, as the bread and wine were not.

    Many Catholics have the laudable custom of leaving a certain amount of property or money in their wills, in order to have Masses offered for them after their death.

    Up until after Vatican II a Requiem Mass was said in black vestments, and with special prayers for the dead. Masses said for the dead for thirty consecutive days are called Gregorian Masses and are all but forgotten in the conciliar church. Yet Requiem Masses still exist in the catacombs and the normal stipend for a Mass remains between $20 to $25 for a Mass to be said for our dearly departed. Would you not want someone to have a Mass said for you after you have passed this mortal earth? So also those who have gone before us. If we do not remember them, who will? Certainly not those trapped in the maze of Modernism where unity of community means tolerance for sinners to continue sinning for we cannot be judgmental and when someone dies, they celebrate the deceased's life with very little thought to the state of his soul and his need for prayers so that his time in the purgatorial fires will be lessened, if indeed he was able to escape hell.

    Bread and wine are used for consecration at Mass; a few drops of water are mixed with the wine. The bread for consecration is made from pure wheat flour mixed with water and baked. No other flour, such as rice, corn, etc., may be used, otherwise there is no consecration. Great care therefore should be taken that the flour is the proper kind. We all know of the atrocities that have been allowed to continue with regular wheat or leavened bread where crumbs of what many believed was the Precious Body and Blood were scattered all over or where they are merely swept up like so much dust. The Church had a reason for the particulars of the elements and the very fact there has been so much relaxation only adds to the contention that it cannot be the True Presence in a Novus Ordo 'mass'.

    The wine for consecration must be the pure juice of grapes fermented. No other wine is valid, and if used, no transubstantiation will take place. A little water is mixed with the wine when used for consecration, because this was done by Christ. The water and wine also commemorate the water and blood that flowed from the wound on the side of Our Lord. So many presbyters/'priests' today celebrate with glass jugs on the Modernist table to accommodate that everyone receive the 'cup' from one of the many 'eucharistic' ministers. Too often they fail to add the water to the wine, only to the celebrant's chalice. Again, abuses that go unchecked. This never ever happened before Vatican II and that can be attributed to before the Council the Church was under the protection of the Holy Ghost, but once the enemy had gained control, they lost the Sanctifier's protection and guidance. Hence, we see the implosion of the man-made religious stemming from the heresies of Vatican II.

    The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered every day of the year except Good Friday and Holy Saturday, the vigil of Easter. It is true that Pope Pius XII, already suffering in the early stages of cancer succumbed to the influence of the heretic Anabale Bugnini and since it was decreed by a true pope, some traditional groups observe the new Holy Week rituals which moved the Easter Vigil to Saturday evening, while other traditional groups reverted to what Pope St. Pius X had established with Holy Saturday Mass and Lent ending at noon and the midnight Mass being the First Mass of the Resurrection. Of course in the conciliar church the service has become the main stage for candidates from RCIA for, tragically, we have generations who came into the false church through the pablum and humanism of RCIA and have no concept of what the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass truly is or the tenets of their Faith. Again, this never happened before Vatican II. All part of satan's plan of destruction.

    Ordinarily a priest is permitted to say Holy Mass only once a day. On Christmas and All Souls' Day, however, he may say three Masses. On Sundays, holydays, first Fridays, etc., a priest with permission may say two, and even three, Masses when the people's needs so require. Mass is usually said in the morning; with the approval of the bishop, it may also be said in the afternoon and evening. Morning Masses are said till 1 p.m.; in the afternoon Masses may begin at four o'clock. In the early days of Christianity Mass was said in the evening, after the example of the Last Supper, when the Mass was instituted. Later it was thought better to have it said in the morning, for a greater respect to the Holy Eucharist and because of the length of abstaining from food and water. It was not until the mid-50's that Pope Pius XII relaxed the fast of no water from midnight to allowing water, but no liquid for three hours before Communion and then one hour for liquids and three hours for food.

    With the shortage of true priests following the confusion and mass exodus after Vatican II, several rule have been relaxed because of the necessity of bringing the true sacraments to the faithful. In these our days, Mass may be said at practically all hours of the day, in order to facilitate attendance and the receiving of Holy Communion, especially to accommodate the true priests who may say a Mass in the morning than travel all day to say the same Mass in another state that evening for the faithful.

    Those in the Novus Ordo lodges today have seen it all too often, so many of their presbyters/ 'priests' feel it is a duty, not a privilege to say Mass. They have to do it because it's "their job" and they do not realize the graces garnered if they were only sincere. Of course, if they were truly sincere, they would investigate the whole situation, and, as the motto of this publication says then they would KNOW the Faith in order to KEEP the Faith. But they have to want to know the Faith. All have a free will. There are conciliar presbyters in the modern rite who complain if they have to cross the street to say 'mass', or say two or three 'masses' on Sunday. Many would rather watch football or socialize with the parishioners or be community organizers for a humanistic movement.

    Yet in the catacombs where the true Church truly exists there are traditional priests who will drive over 300 miles or more round trip every week to say the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and be thankful to be there. And why? Because they are true shepherds of Christ who know they have been chosen as God's instruments to effect the graces and values of the Holy Sacrifice to the worthy souls in attendance. This is also why, despite the ignorance and ignoring of the Traditional Latin Mass by the vast majority of conciliar 'bishops' who expect it to just die out, the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass - perpetuated by St. Pius V in codifying the infallible dogmatic decrees of Trent - will never die but will have a resurgence because of the dedication of the true priests and faithful who cherish and will preserve it at all costs.

  &hnbsp; There are 75 graces one can receive for assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. They are as follows:

• The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the ultimate sacrifice on Calvary re-enacted.

• Each Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is equal to Christ's sacrificial suffering and death for us.

• The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most powerful atonement for our sins.

• At the hour of our death the Holy Sacrifices of the Mass we have heard will be our greatest consolation.

• Every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be counted for us at our Particular Judgement and bode well in our pleading for God's mercy.

• At each Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we can diminish more or less temporal punishment due to our sins, according to our fervor.

• When we assist devoutly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, we render the greatest homage to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord.

• Christ supplies for many of our negligences and omissions.

• At the Confiteor Jesus forgives the venial sins which we have not confessed and the power of satan has over us is diminished provided we are firmly resolved to forsake our sins.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we afford the greatest possible relief to the Souls in Purgatory.

• One Holy Sacrifice of the Mass heard during our life will be of more benefit to us than many heard for us after our death.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we are preserved from dangers and misfortunes which otherwise might have befallen us.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we shorten our stay in Purgatory.

• Every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass wins for us a higher degree of glory in Heaven.

• Our Lord ratifies in Heaven a true Priest's blessing upon us.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass a multitude of holy angels, present but unseen, kneel with us in adoration with reverential awe.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we are blessed in our temporal goods and affairs.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Christ offers Himself for us as the all-powerful Victim, reconciling us to the heavenly Father Whom we have offended.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Christ also makes reparation for many of our sins of omission, when we have left undone the good that we might have done.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Jesus removes many of the imperfections attached to our good deeds.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Our Lord forgives us the sins, unknown or forgotten which we have nevermentioned in confession.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Christ offers Himself as a Victim to make satisfaction at least of our debts and transgressions.

• Each time you assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we do more to pay the penalty due to our sins than by the work of the most severe penance.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Jesus places to our credit a portion of His merits, which we may offer to the eternal Father in expiation for our offenses.

• When we assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Christ offers Himself for us as the most efficacious peace offering, interceding for us as earnestly as He interceded for His enemies on the Cross.

• At the Consecration His Precious Blood pleads for you as countless as the drops whichissued from His sacred veins.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass each of Christ's Adorable Wounds His Sacred Body bore, is a voice that calls aloud as Mercy for us.

• For the sake of this propitiatory Victim, the petition offered during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will be granted far sooner than those that are offered at other times.

• Never can we pray so well as when we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

• The above is true because Christ unites His prayers to ours, and offers them to His heavenly Father.

• Jesus acquaints the God-Head with our deeds and the dangers to which we are exposed in order to makes our eternal salvation His particular concern.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass the Angels who are also present, plead for us and present our poor prayers before the Throne of God.

• On our behalf a Priest - serving as alter Christus - offers the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Mass, by virtue of which the evil enemy will not be suffered to approach us.

• The Priest says the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for us and our everlasting salvation by offering the Holy Sacrifice to the Father Almighty.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we are ourselves empowered by Christ to offer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass with the Priest representing us both for ourselves and others.

• By offering this Holy Sacrifice, we present to the Blessed Trinity the most acceptable of oblations.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we offer an oblation precious indeed, equal to that of Heaven and of greater value than all things on earth.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we offer an oblation precious indeed, for it is none other than the True Presence of the Man-God Himself.

• By this Sacrifice we honor God as He alone is worthy to be honored.

• Also by this Sacrifice we give infinite satisfaction to the Most Blessed Trinity.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we present this glorious oblation as our gift, for Christ Himself gave Himself to us.

• When you hear the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass devoutly we perform an act of the highest worship.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we pay the most profound reverence, the most loyal homage, to the sacred humanity of Our Lord.

• The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the best means whereby to venerate the Passion of Christ and obtain a share in its fruits.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass it is also the best means of venerating the Blessed Mother of God and increasing her joy. Those who do not have a missal to follow, often pray her holy Rosary.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we give greater honor to the Angels and Saints than by reciting many prayers.

• When we assist devoutly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we also enrich our soul more than by any other way in the world.

• By assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass worthily we perform a good work of the highest value.

• The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is a single exercise of pure Faith, which will receive a great reward.

• When we bow down before the Sacred Host and the Sacred chalice at the Consecration, we perform a supreme act of adoration.

• For each time that we gaze reverently upon the Sacred Host, we will receive a recompense in Heaven.

• Each time we strike our breast with compunction at the Confiteor, Agnus Dei and Domine non sum dignus some of our sins are remitted to us.

• If we would ever hear Mass in a state of mortal sin, God would offer us the grace of conversion.

• Conversely when we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in a state of grace, God grants us an argumentation of grace.

• When we assist devoutly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass Holy Mass we spiritually eat the Flesh of Christ and imbibe of His Blood.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we are privileged to behold with our own eyes Christ hidden under the sacramental veil and beheld by Him.

• When we receive the Priest's benediction, both at after the two Confiteors and final blessing it is confirmed by Christ in Heaven.

• Through our diligence in assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we also obtain corporal and temporal blessings.

• Furthermore, we will be preserved from many misfortunes that would otherwise befall us.

• In addition we will also be strengthened against temptation which would otherwise have vanquished us.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass it is for us a means of obtaining the grace of a holy death.

• The love which we have shown for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass will secure for us the special succor of Angels and Saints in our last moments.

• The remembrance of the Masses heard in our lives will be a sweet solace to us in the hour of death and inspire us with confidence in the Divine Mercy.

• When we assist devoutly at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we can be assured we will not be forgotten when we must stand before the strict Judge for such practice of the faith will incline Him to show us favor.

• We can attone for our sins by worthily assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass during our lifetime, and that should lessen our fear of a long and terrible Purgatory if we have already - to a great extent - atoned for our sins.

• One Holy Sacrifice of the Mass devoutly heard will do more to mitigate the pains of Purgatory than any act of penance, however difficult to perform.

• One Holy Sacrifice of the Mass in our lifetime will be of greater service to us than many said for us after death.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we have faith that we will attain a high place in Heaven, which will be ours for all eternity.

• Our felicity in Heaven will, moreover, be increased by every Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that we assisted at on earth.

• For the suffering Souls in Purgatory we can procure abundant refreshment and relief by devoutly assisting at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

• If it is not possible to have Mass said for our departed friends, by devout assistance at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we can release them from the tormenting flames.

• No prayers offered for our friends will be as efficacious as a single Holy Mass heard and offered on their behalf.

• We can amply recompense all our benefactors by hearing Mass for their intentions when we devoutly assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

• The greatest aid and consolation we can give to the sick and the dying is to assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass for them.

• By this same means we can even obtain for sinners the grace of conversion just as St. Monica did for her son Augustine.

• When we assist worthily at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass we can also earn for all faithful Christians saving and salutary graces.

    This last point is how we will win back the Church for Christ, not by converting all or changing the abominable conciliar church in one fell swoop, but rather by conversion away from the false faith one by one. Those graces are the means to awaken the sleeping souls trapped in the newchurch of Vatican II who, for the most part do not know any better. Because there are so few true Holy Sacrifices of the Mass available to them, they cannot be faulted for not knowing. Yet, when they are informed, then they must make an informed decision and that is not always easy. Ask any traditional Catholic who has connected the dots to realize we are in the time of the Great Apostasy. Which was more important: friendships and influence or following the tenets of the true Faith without any compromise to anathema? To a person they will tell you the latter.

    That is also why the pioneers of tradition have passed on to the next generation the necessity of never taking our holy Faith for granted; of realizing our responsibility to worthlily assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass whenever we can in prayerful hope that through our individual efforts more will be given the grace to truly see and join us in the pews and, eventually in Heaven.

Next: Step Forty-Six: Accoutrements of the Altar

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Previously: Step Forty-Four: Sacrificial Aspect of the Mass

For all steps to date, see Archives of Catholicism Made Simple