assion is commemorated in the Church on
the Friday before Easter, and not on Christmas Day. Consequently,
since this sacrament is commemorative of our Lord's Passion, it seems
unsuitable for this sacrament to be celebrated thrice on Christmas
Day, and to be entirely omitted on Good Friday.

Obj. 3: Further, in the celebration of this sacrament the Church
ought to imitate Christ's institution. But it was in the evening that
Christ consecrated this sacrament. Therefore it seems that this
sacrament ought to be celebrated at that time of day.

Obj. 4: Further, as is set down in the Decretals (De Consecr., dist.
i), Pope Leo I wrote to Dioscorus, Bishop of Alexandria, that "it is
permissible to celebrate mass in the first part of the day." But the
day begins at midnight, as was said above (Q. 80, A. 8, ad 5).
Therefore it seems that after midnight it is lawful to celebrate.

Obj. 5: Further, in one of the Sunday Secrets (Ninth Sunday after
Pentecost) we say: "Grant us, Lord, we beseech Thee, to frequent
these mysteries." But there will be greater frequency if the priest
celebrates several times a day. Therefore it seems that the priest
ought not to be hindered from celebrating several times daily.

On the contrary is the custom which the Church observes according to
the statutes of the Canons.

_I answer that,_ As stated above (A. 1), in the celebration of this
mystery, we must take into consideration the representation of our
Lord's Passion, and the participation of its fruits; and the time
suitable for the celebration of this mystery ought to be determined
by each of these considerations. Now since, owing to our daily
defects, we stand in daily need of the fruits of our Lord's Passion,
this sacrament is offered regularly every day in the Church. Hence
our Lord teaches us to pray (Luke 11:3): "Give us this day our daily
bread": in explanation of which words Augustine says (De Verb. Dom.
xxviii): "If it be a daily bread, why do you take it once a year, as
the Greeks have the custom in the east? Receive it daily that it may
benefit you every day."

But since our Lord's Passion was celebrated from the third to the
ninth hour, therefore this sacrament is solemnly celebrated by the
Church in that part of the day.

Reply Obj. 1: Christ's Passion is recalled in this sacrament,
inasmuch as its effect flows out to the faithful; but at Passion-tide
Christ's Passion is recalled inasmuch as it was wrought in Him Who is
our Hea