1 The Mass is the center of Christian life because in it, Christ’s unique sacrifice becomes present in an unbloody manner, perpetuating His redemptive offering on the cross. As taught by the Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC 1366), the Eucharist represents the sacrifice of the cross as its memorial. It applies the fruits of this sacrifice, such as the remission of sins. Christ offered Himself once for all (Hebrews 7:27; 9:26; 10:10) and in the Mass, this unique offering is made present, not as a repetition but as a sacramental re-presentation (1 Corinthians 11:24-25; Luke 22:19-20; Hebrews 9:14).
The Catechism (CCC 1367) teaches that Christ’s sacrifice and the Eucharist are not two distinct sacrifices, but constitute a single act: "it is the same victim who offers." In the Mass, the Church participates in this sacrifice, offering itself with Christ. As St. Paul says, the lives of the faithful, their sufferings, and their prayers unite with Christ’s sacrifice (Colossians 1:24; Romans 12:1). When we participate in the Eucharist, we unite ourselves to Christ’s offering as one body (1 Corinthians 10:16-17).
Christ’s offering, which obtained eternal redemption for us (Hebrews 9:12), is perpetuated in the Mass (CCC 1368), allowing Christians to unite with this offering. The Eucharist is thus a propitiatory sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5; Matthew 26:28), applying to all the faithful the grace of redemption accomplished once for all by Christ. The Mass is not a repetition but the living presence of Christ’s sacrifice, renewed in the liturgy for the salvation of all generations.
