The Value of Mass for Catholics

The Quadratic Equation

A few quotes I find inspirational about The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass . . .

"The Mass is the most perfect form of prayer" - Pope Paul VI

"The Holy Mass would be of greater profit if people had it offered in their lifetime,
rather than having it celebrated for the relief of their souls after death." - Pope Benedict XV

"It is most true that he who attends holy Mass shall be freed from many evils and from many dangers,
both seen and unseen." - St. Gregory

"Without doubt, the Lord grants all favors which are asked of Him in Mass, provided they be fitting for us; and, which is a matter of great wonder, ofttimes He also grants that also which is not demanded of Him,
if we, on our part, put no obstacle in the way." - St. Jerome

"A single Mass offered for oneself during life may be worth more than a thousand celebrated for the same intention after death." - St. Anselm

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. Teresa

"It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass." - St. Padre Pio

"Put all the good works in the world against one Holy Mass;
they will be as a grain of sand beside a mountain." - St John Vianney

"One single Mass gives more honor to God than all the penances of the Saints, the labors of the Apostles,
the sufferings of the Martyrs and even the burning love of the Blessed Mother of God." - St. Alphonsus Liguori

"If we only knew how God regards this Sacrifice, we would risk our lives to be present at a single Mass." - St. Padre Pio

"Renew your faith by attending Holy Mass. Keep your mind focused on the mystery that is unfolding before your eyes.
In your mind's eye transport yourself to Calvary and meditate on the Victim
who offers Himself to Divine Justice, paying the price of your redemption." - St. Padre Pio

"Every Holy Mass, heard with devotion, produces in our souls marvelous effects,
abundant spiritual and material graces which we ourselves, do not know." - St. Padre Pio

lmaopml

I wish everybody would or could understand how mass is so beautiful, and so very spiritual too, mass is how we celebrate the Lords day - perhaps there is a void somewhere that the teaching and passing on from generation to generation has fallen short in some way..obviously.

Still, yes, mass is communion - it's completely lovely - It's a gift, a sacrifice, but not in the 'old' way, a communion, a never ending hymn outside time and place - people who attend mass are attending the never ending praise and thanksgiving of the new covenant.

Jesus, who understands everybody and is all merciful - Leave your troubles at the alter, ask for help from the Holy Spirit, and you will be given strength and fortitude. Some people seem to have everything always, the truth is they don't - there is nothing better than looking beyond and finding joy in the eternal gift.

Doc Farrell

That quote from St. Alphonsus is fairly intense, I'll probably have to spend quite a bit of time trying to understand it.

The amount of saints who suffered 'dark nights of the soul' for extended periods of time is extraordinary and actually terrifying. Never mind the physical and political torments that they had to endure, often at a senior age.
The move away in official Catholic biographies of portraying saints not so much as holy superheroes but rather as real people who made superhuman effort or suffered extraordinary pains for staying true to their faith is most welcome.

http://www.americancatholic.org/features/saints/saint.aspx?id=1094

kelly1

Not wanting to get into a Protestant/Catholic debate but for Catholics, the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the most pleasing act to God that can happen upon this earth. For Protestants, Christ offered the sacrifice once and for all and it's not valid to offer it again. Catholic priests basically offer the same sacrifice that happened upon Calvary with the barrier of time mystically removed. It's not a different sacrifice.