Epilogue:
The Paschal Mystery in the Holy Mass
THE MYSTERY OF REDEMPTION
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
ANTICIPATORY SET
Have the students free write for a few minutes on the question
listed under “This Chapter Will Address” (p. 279) that they already
know the most about, in order to access prior knowledge.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What was the nature of the Old Testament sacrifices?
 How does Christ’s sacrifice relate to Old Testament sacrifices?
 Why did God become man in Jesus Christ?
 What happened at the Last Supper?
KEY IDEAS
 In the Old Covenant, the Chosen People offered imperfect, often repeated sacrifices
of animals and food for forgiveness of sins, homage to God, and to seal covenants.
 Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross fulfills the Old Testament sacrifices as it is a one,
perfect, and unrepeatable sacrifice.
 God became man to offer infinite reparation for man’s infinite offense against God.
 At the Last Supper, a Passover meal, Christ instituted the Sacrifice of the Mass, the
Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Holy Orders, fulfilling in
himself the meaning of the original Passover sacrifice.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
GUIDED EXERCISE
At the Last Supper, at the institution of the Eucharist, Jesus “took a cup,
and when he had given thanks he gave it to [his Apostles], saying, “Drink
of it, all of you; for this is my blood of the covenant, which is poured
out for many for the forgiveness of sins.” (Mt 26:27–28)
Conduct a think/pair/share on the following question:
 How does Matthew 26:27–28 relate to Exodus 24:3–8?
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
In Old Testament worship, what was sacrificed?
A victim, or host, either an animal or agricultural goods, such as grain, oil, or wine.
What was done to the thing sacrificed?
It was destroyed in some way; in the case of animals, they were slaughtered and
then burned.
What were the purposes of sacrifice in the Old Testament?
(1) Forgiveness of sin; (2) homage or worship of God; and (3) sealing a covenant
between God and man.
What does Exodus 24:3–8 describe?
The ratification by the people of Israel of the covenant that God made through
Moses. Oxen were slaughtered on an altar representing the twelve tribes. Half the
blood was thrown against the altar and half was thrown on the people after they
agreed to abide by the covenant.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to review the table “Sacrifice in
the Old and New Testaments” (p. 281), and then have them answer the
following questions:
 What is the basic argument being made in the table?
 Do you find this argument convincing; why or why not?
Briefly share responses.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
From the perspective of salvation history, what was the purpose of
the Old Covenant sacrifices?
These imperfect, repeated sacrifices foreshadowed the perfect, infinitely
valuable, unrepeatable sacrifice of the high priest, Jesus Christ.
Extension: The “perspective of salvation history” means looking back at
the history of the Chosen People in the light of what Christ did and said.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the connection between the Paschal Lamb and the
Lamb of God?
The Paschal Lamb was the lamb that God ordered each family to
sacrifice, the blood of which was smeared on the door frame of the
homes of the Israelites to prevent the angel from killing their
firstborn sons when it passed over Egypt.
This lamb foreshadowed Jesus Christ, the firstborn Son of God the
Father, whom John the Baptist called the Lamb of God (cf. Jn 1:29),
who would be sacrificed to take away the sins of the world.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students perform a focused reading on the paragraph
beginning, “While the redemption . . .” (p. 282) using the following
question:
 How do the ideas of objective and subjective redemption apply to the
vicarious atonement of Christ?
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What does “adequate satisfaction” mean in the context of the
redemption?
It means reparation that properly makes up for offenses committed.
Why was it necessary for a human being to offer satisfaction?
Because humans were the ones who offended God.
Why did satisfaction have to be infinite to be “adequate”?
Because the offense, being against an infinite being, was an infinite offense.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why could man not offer an infinite satisfaction?
Because he is a finite being.
In terms of the redemption of man, why did God become man?
So that the God-man could offer an infinitely valuable sacrifice and so
adequately make reparation for man’s sins.
What does it mean to say that Christ’s redemption is vicarious?
It means it was performed by Christ in place of us.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to write and answer three
focus questions on the sidebar “St. Benedict” (p. 283) that relate to the
idea of redemption.
Share responses.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the Passover Meal?
It is an annual celebration commemorating the deliverance of the Israelites
from slavery in Egypt.
What was the Last Supper?
It was a Passover meal.
What did Jesus do at the Last Supper?
Christ instituted the Sacrifice of the Mass, the Sacrament of the Holy
Eucharist, and the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
What did “the breaking of bread” mean in the early Church?
It was what they called the Mass or Holy Eucharist.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What are the three “events” of the Passover that are fulfilled in
the three “events” of Christ’s Passover?
The three events of the Passover are (1) the original Passover meal; (2)
the actual Passover by which God delivered Israel from slavery; and
(3) each subsequent commemorative Passover meal. In Christ’s
Passover, we have (1) the Last Supper, a Passover meal in which Christ
instituted the Eucharist; (2) Christ’s actual Paschal Sacrifice on the
Cross; and (3) each subsequent Holy Mass in which the Sacrifice of
Christ on the Cross is re-presented.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
CLOSURE
Write a paragraph to summarize the content of this lesson under the
idea of sacrifice.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 The Holy Mass Is the Sacrifice of the Cross through The Ends
of the Mass (pp. 286–290)
Study Questions
 Questions 1–10.
Workbook
 Questions 1–10.
1. Christ’s Sacrifice Fulfills and
Perfects Old Testament Sacrifices
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students free write on something that they found hard to
understand in this lesson in order to gain greater clarity.
2. The Holy Mass
ANTICIPATORY SET
Have the students work with a partner to summarize Supplemental Reading 1
(p. 300), an excerpt from Pope Paul VI’s encyclical letter on the Eucharist,
in a few bullet points.
2. The Holy Mass
BASIC QUESTIONS
 What is the relationship between the Mass and the Sacrifice of Christ?
 Who offers the Mass?
 What are the ends or purposes of the Mass?
KEY IDEAS
 The Holy Mass is a literal “making present” of the Sacrifice of Christ
on the Cross.
 Christ is the primary priest at the Mass; the ministerial priest acts in the
Person of Christ to confect the Sacrament; and the laity offer their
spiritual sacrifices in union with Christ’s Sacrament.
 The Mass offers perfect adoration, thanksgiving, atonement, and
petition to God.
2. The Holy Mass
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students work with a partner to complete the following table to
show in what ways the Sacrifice of the Cross and the Sacrifice of the Mass
are the same and different.
How they are the same
How they are different
2. The Holy Mass
GUIDED EXERCISE
How they are the same
How they are different
• Same priest—Jesus.
• The Cross is bloody; the Mass is unbloody.
• Same victim—Jesus.
• There are many Masses but only one Sacrifice on
the Cross.
• Same sacrifice—Jesus offers himself to the
Father.
• On the Cross, Christ offered himself directly. In
the Mass, he acts through a human priest who acts
in persona Christi capitis.
• Same effect—the graces of the redemption flow.
2. The Holy Mass
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is adoration?
Adoration is the love, honor, or worship one offers to God. It often involves
some physical gesture, such as kneeling, and an offering, such as a sacrifice.
Why is the Mass an act of perfect adoration of God?
Because the person who offers the worship and thing that is offered are both
perfect—that is, Christ and his redemptive death.
How is the Mass related to the heavenly liturgy?
In the Mass, we join our worship with that of the angels and saints in Heaven.
Who else is honored in the Mass?
The saints in Heaven.
2. The Holy Mass
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What is the Mass?
It is the sacrifice of the Cross.
How is the Mass the sacrifice of the Cross?
The Mass re-presents (makes present again) the sacrifice of the Cross.
According to CCC 1366, what are the three reasons that Christ
instituted the Eucharist at the Last Supper?
Christ instituted the Eucharist so that the sacrifice of the Cross would be
re-presented, its memory perpetuated until the end of the world, and its
salutary power applied to the sins we daily commit.
2. The Holy Mass
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How do the Sacrifice of the Cross and the Sacrifice of the Mass have
the same victim and priest?
On the Cross, Christ offered himself, so he was both the one who was
offered—the victim—and the one who offered—the priest. In the Mass,
the ministerial priest acts in the Person of Christ the Head (in persona Christi
capitis), so again Christ offers himself (“This is my Body . . . This is my
blood) and is priest and victim.
What do the terms “renewal” and “re-presentation” not mean in
relation to the Mass?
They do not mean merely a dramatic or fictional representation. In the
Mass, the sacrifice of Christ becomes a present reality.
2. The Holy Mass
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Who is the primary minister at the Mass?
Christ.
Why does the priest say, “This is my Body,” not “This is Christ’s
body”?
The ministerial priest says, “This is my Body,” because he is acting in persona
Christi capitis: Christ is the one offering himself.
How do both the priest and laity exercise priesthood at the Mass?
The ministerial priest “confects” the Eucharist—he alone has this power.
The laity exercise the common priesthood of the faithful and offer their
lives united to the Mass.
2. The Holy Mass
FOCUS QUESTIONS
What does it mean to be an active participant in the Mass?
It means to pay attention, to follow and respond, to offer one’s own
sacrifice, and to receive Communion.
What is the second purpose of the Mass?
To offer thanksgiving to God for the material and spiritual benefits we have
received.
Why is the Mass an act of perfect thanksgiving?
Because we unite our imperfect thanks with Christ’s perfect thanksgiving.
What is the connection between the Eucharist and thanksgiving?
The word Eucharist, which refers to the sacramental reception of the Body
and Blood of Christ, literally means thanksgiving in Greek.
2. The Holy Mass
FOCUS QUESTIONS
For whose benefit does the Mass act as a perfect atonement?
For the faithful present, those not present, and the Holy Souls in Purgatory.
How does the Mass offer perfect atonement to God the Father?
The perfect act of atonement by which Christ obediently offered up his life to
his Father to make up for sin, is re-presented. To this perfect act are united our
own sacrifices.
Why is Jesus Christ the perfect petitioner?
While on earth, Jesus offered petitions for our sake and in Heaven, he “lives
always to make intercession for us.”
What is it appropriate to petition God about at the Mass?
All our personal petitions, including our physical needs, and the needs of
others.
2. The Holy Mass
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have each student work with a partner to complete the following table.
End
Adoration
Thanksgiving
Atonement
Petition
Text of the Mass That Exemplifies This End
2. The Holy Mass
GUIDED EXERCISE
End
Adoration
Thanksgiving
Atonement
Petition
Text of the Mass That Exemplifies This End
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory.
Hosanna in the Highest.
Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to people of good will. We praise
you, we bless you, we adore you, we give you thanks for your great glory.
May this Sacrifice of our reconciliation, we pray, O Lord, advance the peace and
salvation of all the world.
Lord, remember your Church throughout the world; make us grow in love, together
with. . . our Pope, . . . our bishop, and all the clergy.
2. The Holy Mass
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have each student review the paragraph “The faithful participate . . .”
including the quote from Dominicæ Cenæ (p. 288), and then lead a class
discussion using the following question:
 How does the idea of active participation reflect the dignity of every
member of the Church?
2. The Holy Mass
CLOSURE
Have the students write a paragraph summarizing the relationship
between the Mass and the Sacrifice of the Cross.
2. The Holy Mass
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Reading
 Proper Dispositions to Participate in the Mass through
Conclusion (pp. 290–298)
Study Questions
 Questions 11–24.
 Practical Exercise 2.
Workbook
 Questions 11–16.
2. The Holy Mass
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Have the students work with a partner to complete Practical Exercise 2
(p. 304), using a missal to find one specific example each of how the
Mass gives perfect adoration, thanksgiving, atonement, and petition to
God.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
ANTICIPATORY SET
Explain that Jansenism was a movement within the Catholic Church
after the Council of Trent. Jansenists were very serious about the
practice of religion. For example, they thought that before one received
Holy Communion, he or she should spend a long time in intense prayer,
make a very careful self-examination, and then go to Confession to
completely purify one’s soul from sin. Even very pious people—they
believed—should only go to Communion infrequently.
Lead a class discussion with the students on the subject of what is
good and bad about this view.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
BASIC QUESTIONS
 How do we best prepare for Holy Mass?
 What are Mary’s titles and why does she have them?
KEY IDEAS
 We should participate to the best of our ability in Holy Mass,
including our preparation, our external participation, and our
thanksgiving afterwards.
 God bestowed on Mary many privileges due to the mission he
entrusted to her and the completely faithful way she would respond.
For this reason, Mary has merited many titles, beginning with
Mother of God, and including Ever-Virgin, Immaculate Conception,
Queen of Heaven and Earth, and Mediatrix.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Have the students do a focused reading of the paragraph
beginning, “While the Sacrifice of the Mass . . .” (p. 291).
 How do the concepts ex opere operato and ex opere operantis relate to
the Mass?
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why is the Mass a propitiatory sacrifice?
The Mass is the sacrifice of Christ that perfectly atones for sin and
reconciles us to the Father.
What does ex opera operantis mean literally and in regard to
the Sacraments?
Literally, it means “according to the dispositions of those
participating.” In regard to the Sacraments, it means we benefit
from the graces of the Sacraments to the extent that we are
properly disposed to receive them.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How do we have the proper disposition to receive the graces of the
Mass?
By surrendering to the will of God, uniting ourselves to Christ, and
rejecting sin and an attachment to sin.
What does it mean to say that we are co-redeemers with Christ?
Our personal sacrifices when united to Christ in the Mass take on a
redemptive value and so we “complete what is lacking in Christ’s
afflictions for the sake of his body, that is, the church.”
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
FOCUS QUESTIONS
According to Christ’s words, what should we do if we want to have
life?
Receive Communion.
What must one in a state of mortal sin do before going to
Communion?
Go to Confession.
What is being in a state of grace mean?
It means having the divine life of God in the soul. For the baptized, it
means not having an unconfessed mortal sin.
What is the effect of receiving the Eucharist in mortal sin?
It is committing the additional mortal sin of sacrilege.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Can one go to Communion conscious of venial sin?
Yes. In fact, Communion is one of the ways that venial sin is forgiven.
What is the current Eucharist fast required to receive Communion?
To abstain from all food and drink, except water and medicine, for a period
of one hour before receiving Holy Communion.
Why is using a missal (or missalette) helpful to avoid distractions?
Reading along helps keep one’s mind focused on what the priest is saying
and doing.
What are some benefits of being punctual for Mass?
You can prepare for Mass. Arriving on time avoids creating a distraction to
others. Punctuality shows God you value being there.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Based on the section “Preparation for Mass” (p. 292), have the students
work with a partner to list five things they personally consider most
important for preparing for the Mass.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
FOCUS QUESTIONS
How important does the Church see the Eucharist and the Mass to
be for the faithful?
She sees it as essential, without which the Christian life would collapse.
Why does the Church oblige us to go to Mass on Sundays and Holy
Days of Obligation?
It is for our spiritual benefit.
How often does the Church recommend we receive Communion?
Each time we participate in the celebration of the Eucharist.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
In a class discussion, ask the students how they would dress if they
found out that the President of the United States was coming to visit
their school tomorrow and they were going to personally meet him and
talk with him. Would they dress differently than they are dressed right
now? How would they behave around him? Why?
Then extend this question to how they should dress and behave in church
where Christ is present and meets with them in Holy Communion.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Conduct a mini-lecture on how to make a thanksgiving after Mass.
 Explain that Christ is physically present as long as the species of bread
and wine are present in their bodies.
 This time after receiving Holy Communion is one of the very best to
pray in dialogue with Christ, talking to him about anything they wish and
listening to what Christ has to say to them.
 As the name of this time implies, prayers of thanksgiving are most
appropriate: counting one’s blessings is a great thing to do. Prayers of
adoration and petition are also appropriate.
 It is good to pray for people specifically, by name.
 They should ask the Lord to help them know his will and want to do it.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
FOCUS QUESTIONS
Why does it make sense that Our Lady participates in the
redemption of Christ to the highest degree of any human being
besides Christ himself ?
God chose the Blessed Virgin Mary to be Jesus’ mother, so she would
naturally be closer to him than any other person. At the same time, she was
preserved free from Original Sin and so nothing stood in her way of
cooperating with him.
Why is the Blessed Virgin Mary called Co-Redemptrix?
Because of her intimate participation in the redemption of Jesus Christ.
What happened to the Blessed Virgin Mary at the foot of the Cross?
Simeon’s prophecy was fulfilled: “a sword will pierce through your own
soul also.” The “sword” was her intense suffering.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Part I of II
Complete the following table on the various titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Title
Mother of God
Ever-Virgin
Immaculate
Conception
Assumed into Heaven
Meaning
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Part I of II
Complete the following table on the various titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Title
Meaning
Mother of God
Even though Jesus only received his human nature from the Blessed
Virgin Mary, she is the mother of the Person of Jesus, who is a
divine Person, God.
Ever-Virgin
The Blessed Virgin Mary remained a virgin her whole life.
Immaculate
Conception
The Blessed Virgin Mary was preserved from Original Sin and its
effects from the moment of her conception.
Assumed into Heaven
At the end of her life, the Blessed Virgin Mary was assumed, body
and soul into Heaven. She did not die.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Part II of II
Complete the following table on the various titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Title
Queen of Heaven
and Earth
Co-Redemptrix
Mediatrix
Advocate
Meaning
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
GUIDED EXERCISE
Part II of II
Complete the following table on the various titles of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Title
Meaning
Queen of Heaven
and Earth
Because of her merit, and because she is the mother of Christ the King, God
has given the Blessed Virgin Mary the honor of being the Queen of Heaven
and of earth. She is also our most powerful intercessor.
Co-Redemptrix
Because of her unique role in God’s plan of salvation and her cooperation in
the redemptive sacrifice of her Son, the Blessed Virgin Mary is Christ’s CoRedemptrix.
Mediatrix
The Blessed Virgin Mary mediated for us by consenting to be the mother of
the Redeemer, and she continues to intercede for us, participating in the
dispensation of graces merited by her Son, making her Mediatrix.
Advocate
In Heaven, the Blessed Virgin Mary continues to pray for us and is therefore
our Advocate.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
CLOSURE
Use the completed graphic organizer on the various titles of Mary
(pp. 296–297) to write a well-organized paragraph on Mary’s
titles.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT
Study Questions
 Questions 25–33.
 Practical Exercise 1.
Workbook
 Questions 17–28.
3. Preparation for Mass & Our Lady
and the Redemption
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
Conduct a think/pair/share on the following question:
 Why is the Eucharist the source and summit of the Christian life?
The End