Catechesis: Ap XXIV THE MASS

Our opponents quote the Fathers on offerings for the dead. We know that the ancients spoke about prayer for the dead. We do not forbid this, but we rather reject the transfer of the Lord’s Supper to the dead ex opere operato. The ancients do not support the opponents idea of the transfer ex opere operato.—Ap. XXIV:94

*On ex opere operato a friend once offered this very helpful observation, at it’s heart it means that the sacrament “works” even when it is not “received.” Thus, the Sacrament of which Christ said: “eat and drink” is applied (in the imagination of some) to those who do not in fact receive it, and is thought in someway to benefit them (particularly the dead).