THE CHURCH WITH CHRIST
The Church like Christ has the aim, obligation, and function of teaching all men God's truth, of governing and directing them according to God's law, and of offering to God the pleasing and acceptable sacrifice. In this way the Church re-established unity and harmony between God and man. Her one goal is ever to increase in unity and strength.
This result is achieved when Christ lives and thrives in the hearts of men, and when men's hearts are fashioned and expanded by Christ. This is how the Church increases and grows. Christ therefore is present in the Holy Sacrifice, the sacraments, and in the prayer of praise, the Divine Office. The sacred liturgy is consequently the public worship which our Redeemer as Head of the Church renders to the Father, as well as the worship which the community of the faithful renders to its Founder, and through Him to the heavenly Father. It is the worship rendered by the Mystical Body of Christ in the entirety of its Head and members.
[From 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]
This result is achieved when Christ lives and thrives in the hearts of men, and when men's hearts are fashioned and expanded by Christ. This is how the Church increases and grows. Christ therefore is present in the Holy Sacrifice, the sacraments, and in the prayer of praise, the Divine Office. The sacred liturgy is consequently the public worship which our Redeemer as Head of the Church renders to the Father, as well as the worship which the community of the faithful renders to its Founder, and through Him to the heavenly Father. It is the worship rendered by the Mystical Body of Christ in the entirety of its Head and members.
[From 'Mediator Dei', Pius XII]
