There is only one sacrifice of The New Covenant, the Sacrifice of Christ on the Cross. That same sacrifice of Calvary is made present again at every Mass. In the Mass Christ is still our Great High Priest offering up his unique sacrifice. He does this through the ministry of the ordained priest. The Mass is the same Sacrifice as that of the Cross because in both the victim is the same, Jesus Christ, and the principal priest is the same, Jesus Christ. Only the manner of the offering the sacrifice is different. The sacrifice was offered in a bloody manner on the Cross on Calvary and it is now offered in an unbloody manner on the altar at Mass. Through the merits of His sufferings and death and resurrection, which Christ gained for us on the Cross, He made up for all the sins of all mankind.
Active Participation
Active participation in the Mass means joining with Christ, our Great High Priest in His sacrifice. Active participation in the Mass internally means joining with Christ in His sacrifice through the ministry of the priest at the altar. In this we exercise our share in the priesthood of Christ as the result of our Baptism. This internal participation is fostered by external participation in which we all sing, pray, stand, kneel and act as ministers such as Acolytles, Lectors or Extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist.
As we participate in the Eucharist it might help us to remember four purposes for which we offer the Mass: Adoration, to adore God as our Creator and Lord; Contrition, to ask pardon for our sins;Thanksgiving, to thank him for his many favors; Supplication (Petition), to ask him to give us his blessings. (ACTS)
The Eucharistic Presence
The Eucharistic presence of Christ begins at the Consecration and endures as long as the Eucharistic species remain. Christ is present whole and entire under each of the species, and whole and entire in each of their parts, in such a way that the breaking of the bread does not divide Christ.
The Tabernacle
There are always some hosts kept in the tabernacle. There is always a lighted candle nearby to signal the Eucharistic Presence. We are encouraged to visit our friend Jesus in the tabernacle. God is pleased with all our efforts to honor him and pray to him.
"O God, who under this Great Sacrament has left us a memorial of your Passion, grant us, we beseech you, the grace to venerate the sacred mysteries of your Body and Blood and to feel within ourselves the fruit of your Redemption: Who livest and reignest for ever and ever. Amen"
