Expert: Edward Bode - 12/13/2010

Question
A friend of mine and I have been investigating the intentions of some of our priests in our area with regard to the Mass. I asked my reguler parish priest about the sacrafice of the Mass and what it is all about and while he did say it was a sacrafice and that Jesus does show up I was concerned with one thing. I asked him, "Is the mass primarily a sacrafice?" His exact response was, "That's one of the things that it's about." So I asked him again " Is the mass PRIMARILY a sacrafice?" and he gave the exact same response that he gave above. Should I be concerned? Should I still go to Mass there?

Answer
From what you have said, Martin, I offer these thoughts:
The pastor's words to you could have been more clear and forceful.
However, the most essential part of the Mass is the consecration -- the priest brings about the change [transubstantiation] of bread and wine into the body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ.  In that action, the priest acts as the minister of the Sacrament of the Eucharist.  To validly perform that action, the priest needs to intend to do what the Church intends.  He may not understand completely what that intention of the Church entails.  Nevertheless, when the consecration takes place, Christ becomes present [transubstantiation] and His sacrifice is
re-presented -- the separate consecrations of the bread and the wine symbolize the separation of Jesus' body and blood that took place at His crucifixion-death.  
I say "re-presented" since now Jesus' body, blood, soul, and divinity are present under each of the species of bread and wine. So, the sacrifice does occur with the presence of Jesus.  It is truly the holy sacrifice of the Mass.
If the priest has never said or done anything that would lead you to think that he does not believe that his words at consecration bring about the sacramental change, I would think that he is not performing a hoax.  Such a hoax would be very rare] -- his saying Mass leads his congregation to conclude that they are about to receive the true body, blood, soul, and divinity of Jesus Christ, their saving redeemer and sacrifice. For a priest not to believe in the reality of the eucharistic presence would be a major heresy.
I hope that these thoughts are helpful.  If you have further concerns, please feel free to write again.
Best wishes, Martin