"The principal excellence of the most Holy Sacrifice of
the Mass consists in being essentially, and in the very
highest degree, identical with that which was offered on
the Cross of Calvary: with this sole difference that the
sacrifice on the Cross was bloody, and made once for all,
and did on that one occasion satisfy fully for all the sins
of the world; while the sacrifice of the altar is an unbloody
sacrifice, which can be repeated an infinite number of
times, and was instituted in order to apply in detail that
universal ransom which Jesus paid for us on Calvary."
"I believe that were it not for the Holy Mass, as this
moment the world would be in the abyss, unable to bear
up under the mighty load of its iniquities Mass is the
potent prop that hold the world on its base."
"Be now confounded for very wonder, reflecting that the
proposition just laid down is indeed most true; a soul
assisting with adequate devotion at holy Mass renders
more honor to God than that which all the Angels and all
the Saints put together render with all their adorations."
"And, yet, with the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, viewed
according to its intrinsic preciousness and value,
satisfaction may be made completely for committed sin ..
Not that the Sacrifice of the Mass by any means cancels
our sins immediately, and of itself, as does the
Sacrament of Penance: but it cancels them immediately,
calling down various aids of interior impulse, of holy
aspiration, and of actual grace, all tending toward a
worthy repentance of our sins, either at the time of the
Mass itself or at some other fitting time."
"O blessed Mass, by which we come to have the Son
of God placed not within our arms but within our hearts,
Nor is there a doubt but that with Him, and Him alone, we
shall be able to satisfy the debt of gratitude which we
have contracted with God."
"It is in our power by means of it to pay the fourth debt
due to God, which is to supplicate Him, and to entreat
new graces of Him. ... Yes, yes: in holy Mass our dear
beloved Jesus, as the chief and supreme Priest,
recommends our case to the Father, prays for us and
makes Himself our advocate. ... How can you doubt but
that He wishes to give you all the virtues and all the
perfections which are required to make you a saint, and
a great saint, in Heaven?"
"What graces, gifts and virtues the Holy Mass calls
down ... repentance for sin ... victory over temptation ...
holy inspirations which dispositions to shake off tepidity
... the grace of final perseverance, upon which depends
our salvation ... temporal blessings, such as peace,
abundance and health ..."
In having Masses said for the suffering souls in
Purgatory: "the holy Mass not only shortens their pains
but also extends great immediate relief to those poor
souls ... the charity you exercise toward poor souls under
purification will all redound to your own good."
In having Masses said for your own soul: "... get
celebrated all the Masses possible in your circumstances
not only for the souls departed but for your own. Do this
for two motives: first to obtain a good and holy death - it
being the invariable opinion of theologians that there is
no more efficacious means for attaining so holy a
purpose. Another motive is that you may yourself issue
quickly from Purgatory and fly away into eternal glory,
there being no means more adapted for obtaining from
God a grace so precious as that of going direct to
Heaven, or at least a short detention on the way, than
Indulgences duly gained, and the holy Sacrifice."
The Memorare, from the Latin 'remember,' was
traditionally thought to have been composed by the
Cisterian St. Bernard of Clairvaux. It was popularized in
the 15th century by a French priest, Claude Bernard.
Remember, O most gracious Virgin Mary,
that never was it known that any one who fled to your
protection, implored your help or sought your
intercession, was left unaided.
Inspired with this confidence, I fly unto you,
O Virgin of virgins, my Mother.
To you I come, before you I stand, sinful and sorrowful.
O Mother of the Word Incarnate,
despise not my petitions, but in your mercy
hear and answer me. Amen.