THE SACRIFICE OF THE MASS
Continued . . .

30--What are the three principal parts or 'peaks' of the Mass?

Many people fail to understand the Mass, because they become lost in the maze of its secondary details.

Before going on with our study, let us detach now the three principal parts from all those purely accidental ceremonies that prepare, accompany, or continue them.

These three parts are:

(a) the Offertory or oblation;

(b) the Consecration or immolation;

(c) the Communion or reception.

These three parts belong together and are the indispensable elements of every sacrifice.

Every Mass demands an offering, a relinquishment, a renunciation.

Every offering calls for a consecration, an immolation,. a choice.

Every consecration presupposes a communion--love calls for love, sacrifice for reception.
[From 'Your Mass and Your Life', to be continued . . .]