which the sacrifice of the Mass is offered are the same as
those of the sacrifice of the Cross.

On the Cross the offering was the body and blood of Our Lord; the one
who offered it was Our Lord; the reason for which He offered it was that
He might atone for sin; the one to whom He offered it was His heavenly
Father. Now, at Mass it is the same. The object offered is Our Lord's
body and blood, the one suffering is Our Lord Himself, through the
priest; it is offered for sin, and it is offered to the heavenly Father.
All things are the same, except that the blood of Our Lord is not shed,
and Our Lord does not die again.

*267 Q. What are the ends for which the sacrifice of the Cross was
offered?
A. The ends for which the sacrifice of the Cross was offered were:
first, to honor and glorify God; second, to thank Him for all the graces
bestowed on the whole world; third, to satisfy God's justice for the
sins of men; fourth, to obtain all graces and blessings.

*268 Q. Is there any difference between the sacrifice of the Cross and
the sacrifice of the Mass?
A. Yes; the manner in which the sacrifice is offered is different. On
the Cross Christ really shed His blood and was really slain; in the Mass
there is no real shedding of blood nor real death, because Christ can
die no more; but the sacrifice of the Mass, through the separate
consecration of the bread and the wine, represents His death on the
Cross.

269 Q. How should we assist at Mass?
A. We should assist at Mass with great interior recollection and piety
and with every outward mark of respect and devotion.

If you were admitted into the presence of a king or of the Holy Father
you would be careful not to show any indifference or disrespect in his
presence. You would not be guilty of looking around or of talking idly
to those near you. Your eyes would be constantly fixed on the great
person present. So should you be at Mass, for there you are admitted
into the presence of the King of kings, our divine Lord. Your whole
attention, therefore, should be reverently given to Him, and to no
other. How displeasing it must be to Him to have some in His presence
who care so little for Him and who insult Him without thought or regard!
If we acted in the presence of any prince as we sometimes act in the
presence of Our Lord on the altar, we should be turned out of his house,
with orders not to come again. But Our Lord suffers all patiently and
meekly, though He will not allow