Some dozen years ago, a grace was given to me which I did not recognize it at the time. It began with an interest in Our Lady, Mary, the Mother of Our Lord. I had been a life long Catholic yet it had been 19 years since my last confession. I had lost the knowledge of its importance in the spiritual life. That was to change! I had always loved to read and began to read all I could concerning Mary. And she obtained the grace for me to return to confession. Immediately thereafter another very great grace was given! It astounds me even now to consider it. It had never entered my mind to attend a daily Mass but, for some reason, I went to one. And then another. And another.
I learned of the 9 First Fridays and determined to do this. It involved attending holy Mass on the First Friday of every month for 9 consecutive months. The first time I tried this, I got to 7 and then forgot. I started over and was successful. When making the 9 First Fridays, I went to monthly confession as well. It is most important to be in the state of grace when coming to Holy Communion. I found my desire to come ever closer to Jesus growing as the layers slowly were peeled from my soul. I went to Mass several times a week. It was not easy as my children were in school but my husband would get up to finish getting them ready so that I could go to morning Mass.
It took about 2 years before I became a daily communicant. Now, I cannot imagine a day without Mass and on those rare times when I cannot attend Mass, it seems that something is missing from my day. To be drawn to the daily Mass is a very great grace. I have done nothing to deserve this grace in my life but there it is. From the Mass has come a love for Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament and I enjoy visiting with Our Lord at adoration times or at the tabernacle. I write this now because it had never occurred to me to attend a daily Mass and perhaps there are others who have not thought of this either. So I wish to set this thought before you. Are you able to come to extra Masses in the week? If so, why not come? I know sometimes there are the duties of house or of work that make this not possible but sometimes, where there is a will, there is a way.
Do you wish to draw nearer to Our Blessed Lord? There at Holy Mass, He awaits in His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity to come to us. What are we waiting for? Perhaps we are waiting for an invitation? Here it is!
From a little pamphlet published by the Marians of the Immaculate Conception, here are some thoughts about the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass:
The Holy Mass is the highest form of worship. It is the sacrifice of Calvary renewed. One Mass gives God more praise and thanksgiving, makes more atonement for sin, and pleads more eloquently than does the combined and eternal worship of all the souls in heaven, on earth, and in purgatory. In the Holy Mass, it is Jesus Christ, God as well as Man, who is our Intercessor, our Priest, and our Victim. Being God – as well as Man ¬His prayers, merits, and His offerings are infinite in value.
WHY WE SHOULD HEAR HOLY MASS
The Mass is the best means we have:
1. To render God the highest form of worship.
2. To thank Him for all His blessings.
3. To make reparation for all our sins.
4. To obtain all the blessings we desire.
5. To release souls from purgatory and to shorten our own time there.
6. To preserve us from all dangers to soul and body.
7. To be consoled at the hour of death, for at that moment their memory will be our greatest consolation.
8. To intercede for us at the Judgment Seat of God.
9. To bring down God's blessings; therefore, try to assist at Mass every day, or as often as possible, and, of course, on Sundays.
10. To better understand the sublimity of the Passion of Christ, and, therefore, to increase our love for Him.
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DAILY OFFERING: O my Jesus, I include myself in all the Holy Masses which are celebrated this day throughout the world, and offer them to You in union with the intentions of Your Sacred Heart. I implore You to reserve for me, from each Holy Mass, Your most precious Blood to atone for my sins and their punishment. Grant me also the grace of obtaining through the merits of every holy sacrifice the release of one poor soul from the pains of purgatory, the conversion of one sinner, and also that one soul in the agony of death may obtain mercy, and that one mortal sin, which is so painful to Your Sacred Heart, may be prevented. Amen.
OFFERING TO THE ETERNAL FATHER: Eternal Father, we offer You the Blood, the Passion, and Death of Jesus Christ in atonement for our sins, in aid of the holy souls in purgatory, for the needs of holy Mother Church, and for the conversion of sinners. Amen.
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Some quotes of Saints:
St. Teresa of Avila
Doctor of the Church
Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God's Goodness and asked Our Lord "How can I thank you?" Our Lord replied, "ATTEND ONE MASS."St. Padre Pio, stigmatic priest"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass."
St. John Vianney , patron
saint of parish priests
"If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy."
"There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us."
St. John Chrysostom,
Doctor of the Church
"When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar."
St. Thomas Aquinas,
Doctor of the Church
"The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross."
