The Rite of the Holy Eucharist

Christ is truly sacrificed in the Holy Eucharist at Mass, but not in a bloody manner, that is, not with the shedding ofhis blood and his death in consequence. St. Augustine says:“Christ was sacrificed once in himself, and yet he issacrificed daily in the Sacrament.”

The time of celebrating the Eucharistic Sacrifice isset by the Church.

Mass is to be celebrated in a suitable place, usuallyindoors, and with vessels that are blessed or consecrated to theirsacred use.

Surrounding the words of Christ which are theform of the sacrament of Holy Eucharist, the Church,through the ages, has reverently arranged pertinent prayers ofpraise and adoration, of penance, of thanksgiving, of petition.

The action of the Mass in which the matter(bread and wine) of the Eucharist is offered to God, thenconsecrated by use of the form, and then received in Holy Communion, is filled with suitable ceremonies prescribed by the Church.

If the priest who is celebrating Mass is unable tocontinue because of a sudden illness, or if he dies at the altar,his Mass is not completed unless he has already consecrated thehost or the host and the chalice. In this case, another priestfinishes the Mass and thus completes the sacrifice.