Dissertation II: On the Most Holy Eucharist insofar as It Is a Sacrifice

1585. Those things having been set forth which regard the Most Holy Eucharist insofar as it is a Sacrament ordained to our sanctification, it remains that we speak of this most august mystery insofar as it is a SACRIFICE, by which we worthily exhibit to the divine Majesty that supreme worship which befits It. The oblation of this Sacrifice is called Mass, drawing its origin from the word Mission, either because through this Sacrifice Christ is sent to us, or because an oblation is sent by us to God; or because formerly, when the part which precedes the Offertory had been completed, the catechumens were dismissed; or finally, because, the Sacrifice now completed, the people are dismissed with these words: Ite, Missa est.¹

Those things which come to be said concerning the Sacrifice of the Mass we divide into two chapters: in the first we shall speak concerning this holy Sacrifice considered in itself; in the second concerning those things which regard its celebration.