MyCatholicSource.com - 'Quick Help' Page: Preparing For Mass / Holy Communion

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First, Catholics – modestly dressed (see here) & fasting (see here) – should arrive at church early in order to pray before Mass (try here for some prayers). The Catechism of the Cure of Ars recommends a period of preparation of at least 15 minutes...

"We ought always to devote at least a quarter of an hour to preparing ourselves to hear Mass well; we ought to annihilate ourselves before God, after the example of His profound annihilation in the Sacrament of the Eucharist; and we should make our examination of conscience, for we must be in a state of grace to be able to assist properly at Mass. If we knew the value of the holy Sacrifice of the Mass, or rather if we had faith, we should be much more zealous to assist at it."

Catholics should maintain humility and modesty, and should observe proper rituals & practices such as blessing one's self and genuflecting (try here for assistance).

They should be reverent and observe proper behavior in the church before, during and after Mass (see here).

They should put themselves in the same frame of mind as the Blessed Virgin Mary had at the crucifixion of her beloved Son...

"When you hear Mass, do you come in the same frame of mind as the Blessed Virgin at Calvary? Because it is the same God, and the same Sacrifice." (St. John Vianney)

They should spiritually offer up Mass for God's glory and for their personal intentions. Remember that there is nothing more precious than can be offered to God than His own Son.

It may be useful to review the day's readings in advance if there is time (or perhaps this can be done on the way to Mass)

Regarding preparing for Holy Communion, please try here. Note that if one is not in the state of grace, he/she might inquire whether it is possible to have Confession heard before Mass.

Did you know? It is still possible – thanks be to God! – to lawfully attend the Traditional Latin Mass. The Traditional Latin ('Tridentine') Mass differs from the 1960's Novus Ordo Mass in many & significant ways (try here for more information). To locate a Traditional Latin Mass in your area, try here.

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"But, assuredly, all of the duties which man has to fulfill, that without doubt, is the chiefest and holiest which commands him to worship God with devotion and piety." (Pope Leo XIII)

"Greater devotion is required in this sacrament than in the others, for the reason that the entire Christ is contained therein." (St. Thomas Aquinas, Doctor of the Church and "greatest theologian in the history of the Church")

Q "Of what should we especially think during the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass?" A. "Of the sufferings and the death of Jesus Christ." (Catechism of St. John Neumann)

"Certainly, then, the more a Christian is aware of the holiness and the divinity of this heavenly Sacrament [of the Eucharist], the more careful he should be not to receive it without great reverence and sanctity, especially since we read in the Apostle the fearful words: 'He who eats and drinks unworthily, without distinguishing the body of the Lord, eats and drinks judgment to himself' (1 Cor. 11:29)" (Council of Trent)

"If there is anything divine among man's possessions which might excite the envy of the citizens of heaven (could they ever be swayed by such a passion), this is undoubtedly the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, by means of which men [priests], having before their eyes, and taking into their hand the very Creator of heaven and earth, experience, while still on earth, a certain anticipation of heaven. How keenly, then, must mortals strive to preserve and protect this inestimable privilege with all due worship and reverence, and be ever on their guard lest their negligence offend the angels who vie with them in eager adoration!" (Pope Urban VIII)

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