In order to benefit from the effects of the Mass, we must seek to correspond to them. We must therefore distinguish the four ends of the sacrifice of the Cross (hence of the Mass): adoration, thanksgiving, reparation and petition. We can then enter into the intentions of Christ.

1.      The sacrifice of the Mass is a sacrifice of LATRIA (adoration): Christ sacrifices Himself for the glory of God. The Mass is theocentric: God is first served. The first of Christ’s sentiments on the Cross, the fundamental disposition of His soul, is one of adoration and filial love towards the infinite majesty of His Father. What, then, is the principal act of adoration, of worship? Sacrifice. Let us therefore offer our sacrifices, whatever causes us pain or suffering, in union with the mind of Christ in His sacrifice. We should remember that if we have communion with Christ, it is with Christ in His sacrifice. Let us then participate in the sacrifice of Christ.
This will have consequences in the liturgical order. In order to express adoration, the liturgy ought to multiply gestures of bowing, kneeling and of purification. 

2.      The sacrifice of the Mass is a EUCHARISTIC sacrifice: a sacrifice of thanksgiving. Adoration is recognition of God’s greatness; thanksgiving celebrates His infinite goodness. God has a right to our gratitude. In the liturgy, our gratitude appropriates the whole universe in order to find a voice and sing of the good that God has done us. This is a fundamental aspect of the Mass, so much so that the Mass is called ‘Eucharist’ or ‘Eucharistic sacrifice’. Let us, too, during Mass, know how to express our gratitude to God for the good things He lavishes on us, those which we know and those which we do not even guess at. “This wonderful sacrifice was instituted so that we might be free from ingratitude towards God” (St Irenaeus).

3.      The Mass is a PROPITIATORY sacrifice: a term rather unfamiliar to modern ears. The Mass saves us, the Mass perfectly fulfils divine justice; because of it, God is propitious towards us. The sacrifice of Christ is expiatory: the Mass brings about the remission of our sins, in accordance with the dispositions of our hearts, in which Our Lord ought to find humility and contrition.

4.      The sacrifice of the Mass is an IMPETRATORY sacrifice: it is the moment to entrust our desires, our petitions, to Christ. Our petitions, united to the Blood of Christ, find their best advocate in Our Lord, the most powerful of intercessors. Each Mass allows us to ask a grace from God, as we confidently abandon ourselves to Him.Our Lord assures us, and His word is truth: “all that you ask of God in My name, He will grant you”. What can the Father refuse His Son, imploring it of Him upon the Cross?

It will be noticed that the first two ends of the Mass are concerned with God, whereas the last two are more directly concerned with us. We must make these ends our own in our prayer at Mass. This is the best form of participation: to unite ourselves with the priest, the instrument of Christ who offers His sacrifice to His Father for these four ends. Hence the following prayer:

My God, I adore You and I love You.
I thank you for all the benefits which You have given me in plenty.
I ask pardon for all the offences which have wounded Your most loving Heart.
I implore You, for the sake of Your glory, to make me the saint that You have merited that I should be.

These, then, are the four ends of the sacrifice, the reasons why the Church invites us to participate at Mass. What are their fruits? The Mass does not directly remit sins, but fosters contrition and conversion. The Mass partially, but immediately, remits the temporal punishment due to sins already forgiven. Moreover, our petitions are granted if they are just, and if we form them with a heart that is properly disposed.

All this applies to our assistance at Mass, even if we do not make a sacramental communion. Sacramental communion is not indispensable, although it is highly desirable. It brings our participation to perfection, along with its particular fruits, which consist first of all in our union with Christ, who transforms us interiorly, conforms us to Himself, strengthens and sanctifies us, heals us, gives us joy and unites us to the whole Church.

Let us meditate on these words of Cardinal Journet: “It is such a sweet and awe-inspiring thing to think that Jesus gathers us every day to redeem the world with Him.”