ABSTRACT
This chapter gives the theme of the Sacrifice pride of place in what people can learn from the Rite of St Pius V because the entire content of Catholic Eucharistic theology is best surveyed from the vantage-point of the Mass as Sacrifice. Holy Communion, for instance, is best presented not simply as just any personal encounter with our Lord in the sacrament. To say as much might seem to give vent to a purely pragmatic or, at best, pastoral, consideration, rather than one that has much to do with dogmatic theology. But the 'apologies' seek to bring home to us our real supernatural situation at the Eucharistic Liturgy. People can surely learn from the older Mass how to have a more reverential reception in the reformed rite. If kneeling communion is not possible, then people should introduce the prior gesture of obeisance called for by the official documents.
