(Excerpt taken from Chapter 14 of the book: Introduction to the Devout Life Abridged) "I have not yet spoken to you about the sun of all spiritual exercises, which is the most holy , sacred and most sovereign Sacrifice and Sacrament of the Mass, the center of the Christian Religion, the heart of devotion, the soul of piety, the ineffable Mystery, in which is found the abyss of divine charity and by which God really gives Himself to us and magnificently communicates to us His graces and favors. Prayer made in union with this divine Sacrifice has an incalculable power." St. Francis De Sales.
(Which Mass do you think he is referring to but the Traditional Latin Mass, the only Mass celebrated during his lifetime. He lived between 21 August 1567 to 28 December 1622.) Strive to attend Holy Mass every day in order to offer, with the priest, the Sacrifice of your Redeemer to God His Father, for yourself and for the entire Church. The Angels are present in great numbers at Mass. The choirs of the Church Triumphant and the Church Militant come to be joined to Our Lord in this divine action in order with Him, in Him and by Him to ravish the heart of God the Father and make His mercy completely ours. What happiness it is to contribute one’s affections to obtaining such a treasure! If for some reason you find your self unable to be physically present at this divine Sacrifice, you ought at least to send your heart there, so as to be spiritually present. Go to the Church in spirit, if you cannot go in person, unite yourself to the intentions of all Christians, and make the same acts of devotion you would make if you were there. In either case: (what one should do during Mass) From the beginning until the priest goes up to the altar, prepare yourself by placing yourself in God’s presence, acknowledging your faults and humbly asking His pardon. Then, from the time he goes up to the altar until the Gospel, make a general consideration of Our Lord’s birth and life. From the Gospel until after the Creed, consider His preaching. Affirm your faith and protest with with all of your will that you will live and die in the holy Catholic Church. From the Creed until the Our Father, apply your heart to the mysteries of the Passion and death of our Redeemer, which are actually and essentially represented in this holy Sacrifice. Along with the priest and the rest of the people, you must offer them to God the Father for His glory and for your salvation. From Our Father to the Communion to the end, thank God for His Incarnation, for His life, death, Passion, and for the love that He witnesses to in this holy Sacrifice, praying to Him for mercy for your parents and relatives, your friends and the entire Church. Then humbly receive the priest’s blessing. Do not leave the church immediately but remain in the pews to say the prayers after Mass. |
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January 2024
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