In the congregations held after the twenty-first ses- sion, the question was concerning the sacrifice of the mass; and all the theologians agreed unanimously that the mass ought to be regarded as a true sacritice under the new covenant, in which Jesus Christ is offered un- der the sacramental species. One of their arguments was this, that Jesus Christ was priest after the order of Melchizedek : the latter offered bread and wine; and that, consequently, the priesthood of Jesus Christ in- cludes a sacritice of bread and wine.
In a congregation held about Aug. 18, the archbishop of Prague presented a letter from the emperor, in which he made earnest entreaties that the cup might be con- ceded to the laity. This delicate subject was reserved for special consideration in a subse(iuent congregation.
The decree on the subject of the sacrifice of the mass being now completed, the members began next to con- sider the subject of commtmion in both kinds. Three opinions principally prevailed among the prelates: 1. To refuse the cu|> entirely ; 2. To grant it upon certain conditions to be approved of by the poimcil ; 3. To leave the settlement of the matter to the pope. The Span- ish and Venetian bishops supported the first opinion.
Among those who were inclined to grant the cup were cardinal Madrncio. the bishop of iNIodena. and (iaspard Capal, bishop of Leira. Ihit among the strongest ad- vocates for granting the ]tetitioii was the bishop of the l'"ive Churches, who implored the j^relates to have com- passion on the churches, and to pay some regard to the pressing entreaties of the emperor. On the other hand, the ])atriarchs of Aquileia and Venice, and the Latin ])atriarch of Jerusalem, were in favor of refusing; the latter maintained that by giving way to them the peo- ple would be rather contirined in the error of supposing that the body only oldur Lord is contained under the species of bread, and the blood only under that of wine; that if they gave way now, other nations would require the same, and they would go further, and would next require the abolition of images, as being an occasion of idolatry to the peoiile. Other bishops, suj>porling this opinion, reminded the assembly that the Church had been led to forbid the use of the cup from a fear lest the consecrated wine should be spilled or turn .sour, and that the former accident coidd hardly be prevented when the lioly sacrament was carried long distances and by bad paths. The archbishop of IJossano, the bishops of Cava, Almeria, Imola, and Kicti. with Ixichard, abbot of Preval. at Genoa, were also among those who spoke in favor of absolutely refusing the cup. On the eve of the twenty-second session a decree passed by which it was left to the pope to act as he thought best in the matter, the numbers being ninety-eight for the decree and thir- ty-eight against it. The discussion lasted altogetlier from Aug. 15 to Sept. 16.
.Session XXII (Sept. 17, 1562) One hundred and
eighty prelates, with the ambassadors and legates, were present at this session. The doctrinal decree touching the sacritice of|he mass, in nine cha|)ters, was published. It was to the following effect :
1. Althousih our Lord once offered himself to (iod the Father by dying upon the altar of his cross, in older to obtain thereby etenial redemption for us. nevertheless, since his priesthood did not cea^e at his (Jeath, in order that he miglit leave wiih his Church a visible sacrifice (such as the nature of man requires), by means of which the bloody sacrifice of the cross might be represented at tlie last supper, on the same night tliat he was betrayed, in the execution of his office as a priest forever after the order of Melchizedek, he oflered his body and blood to the Father under the species of bread and wine, and gave the same to his apostles; and by these words, "This do in re- membrance of me," he commanded them and their suc- cessors to offer the like sacrifice, as the Catholic Church has always believed and taught.
2. As the same Jesus Christ who once offered himself upon the cross with the shedding of his blood is con- tained and immolated without the efl"iision of blood in the holy sacrifice of the mass, this latter sacrifice is truly propitiatory, and that by it we obtain mercy and forgive- ness; since it is the same Jesus Christ who was oflered upon the cross who is still oflered by the ministiy of his priests, the only dift'erence being in ilie mnmier of ofler- ing. And the inass may be oflered, not only f(n' the sins and wants of the faithful who are alive, but also for those who, being dead, are not yet made pure.
3. Although the Church sometimes celebrates masses in honor and in memory of the saints, the sacrifice is still of- fered to God alone, for she only implores their protection.
4. The Church for many ages past has established the sacred canon of the mass," which is puie and free from ev- ery error, and contains nothing which is not consistent with holiness and piety, being in tiiilh comjiosed from our L(n-d's words, the tiadiiious of the apostles, and the pious institutions of the holy pojies.