Ave Maria Meditations
The sacred Liturgy is first and foremost the glorification of the most holy Trinity, which is of the Incarnate Son of God offered in the name of all mankind and the entire creation to His Divine Father in the Holy Spirit through His sacrifice on the Cross, as a sweet fragrance for all eternity.
The holy Mass renders present in a sacramental way the same Liturgy of the sacrifice of the Cross, with the same Priest, Jesus Christ, and the same Victim, Christ in His sacred humanity, present at Mass as was present at the sacrifice of the Cross.
Hence, the sacred Liturgy is primarily and essentially the glorification of the triune God. Such a perfect glorification of God secondarily brings graces and eternal salvation to all who celebrate it, who participate in it, and for whom it is specifically offered.
Bishop Athanasius Schneider
