The 39 Articles of Religion: Article 31, One Oblation

Oxford Martyrs Cross, making the spot where Cranmer, Ridley, and Latimer were burned to death.

For the Roman Catholic Church, the sacrifice of Christ lies at the heart of the Mass. Anglicans believe that at the heart of Holy Communion if the recalling of the Lord's completed sacrifice on the Cross. Since Jesus' sacrifice has already been perfectly accomplished, to repeat it or add to it detracts from its perfection. When Jesus said on the cross, "It is finished," he meant his self-sacrifice was finished. We do not need to pick up where he left off. We have nothing to add.

XXXI. Of the one Oblation of Christ finished upon the Cross.

The Offering of Christ once made in that perfect redemption, propitiation, and satisfaction, for all the sins of the whole world, both original and actual; and there is none other satisfaction for sin, but that alone. Wherefore the sacrifices of Masses, in the which it was commonly said, that the Priest did offer Christ for the quick and the dead, to have remission of pain or guilt, were blasphemous fables, and dangerous deceits.