77-/7 W h y All Should G O T O M A S S A Discussion Club Text With Outline BY REV. EDWARD M. BETOWSKI N E W Y O R K T H E P A U L I S T P R E S S 4 0 1 W E S T S 9 T H S T R E E T Nihil Obstat: Rucupis, Die 31 Decembris, 1939. WLLFRIDUS T . CEAUGH, Censor Deputatus. Imprimatur: Rucupis, Die 2 Ianuarii, 1940. JACOBUS EDUARDUS, Episcopus Roffensis. C O P Y R I G H T , 1 9 4 0 , BY T H E M I S S I O N A R Y S O C I E T Y O P S T . P A U L T H E A P O S T L E I N T H E S T A T E O F N E W Y O R K P R I N T E D AND P U B L I S H E D I N T H E U . S. A. BY T H E P A U I J S T PRESS, N E W Y O R K , N . Y . F O R E W O R D IT is unfortunate that in our spiritual life familiarity with the practices of our Faith makes us forget their sanctity and their excellence. This is too often the case with the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, the central act of worship in Catholic life. While millions attend Holy Mass, few really love it for what it is. In the following pages, Father Betowski of St. Joseph's Seminary, Dunwoodie, has ably and masterfully explained what the Mass really is, how Christ comes down on the altar and why. While written especially for Discussion Club members, anyone who will study this pamphlet with the right intention will absorb something of the rich spiritual treasures at our disposal in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and will become an intelligent and worthy co-offerer in the Greatest of Sacrifices. •F JAMES E . KEARNEY, D . D . , Bishop of Rochester. V \ • I N T R O D U C T I O N THE greatest thing which we Catholics possess is the Holy Mass. But alas! Some of us will probably not appreciate this priceless treasure, or realize the superb opportunity it affords until the Day of Judgment. Were we to reflect, we would all agree with one mind and heart that the Mass sur- passes in beauty and grandeur and efficacy anything that we have, because the Mass is the God-Man offered in Sacrifice to the Eternal Father. The Imitation of Christ reminds us that "when the priest celebrates (Mass), he honors God, he rejoices the angels, he edifies the Church, he helps the living, he obtains rest for the dead, and makes himself partaker of all good things." What an array of divine blessings! This pamphlet has been written to bring out in strong relief the glories, the value and fruits of the Holy Sacrifice, that those who learn, may grow in the love of our Lord, Jesus Christ. Throughout the pages information and devotion have been admirably blended. The four ends of sacrifice have been treated simply. The pamphlet contains a neat amount of factual information on the Mass. But the dominant note found in every page, is love and devotion. The author has not pulled the Mass apart, and dissected and analyzed minutely every prayer and action. Such procedure gives little edifica- tion to the average lay person. While giving ample light to the mind, the author has endeavored especially to enkindle the fire of divine love in the heart so that knowledge will be transformed into action. S 6 INTRODUCTION Frequent reference is made to the various parts of the Mass. Therefore, those who read with the purpose of study should have a copy of the Missal at hand. Young and old will peruse these pages with pleasure and great spiritual profit. Their meaning will be clear to high school students as well as to older minds. The pamphlet may be studied by an in- dividual, though it was prepared particularly for group dis- cussion. Here and there reference is made to countries where re- ligion is persecuted, and where the Mass is forbidden. What a blessing that we live in a land where we may assist at the adorable Sacrifice whenever we choose! If, after reading and studying this pamphlet, the Mass does not appear more pre- cious and lovable than ever before, then something has been missed. JOHN M . D U F F Y , Director Diocesan Discussion Clubs. Why All Should G O T O M A S S 1. Because t h e M a s s b r i n g s G o d to t h e people. 2. Because t h e M a s s b r i n g s t h e p e o p l e t o God. 3. Because t h e M a s s is t h e m o s t e x a l t e d a c t of a d o r a t i o n . 4. Because t h e M a s s is a b l e to inspire a c t s o f p e r f e c t c o n t r i t i o n . 5. Because t h e M a s s is the best w a y of s a y i n g , " T h a n k s be to G o d . " 6. Because t h e M a s s is a m o s t p o w e r f u l S a c r i f i c e of s u p p l i c a t i o n . 7. Because t h e M a s s gives to m a n k i n d t h e S a c r a m e n t of Love. 8. Because t h e M a s s leads to e t e r n a l glory. 7 îO-V Why All Should G O T O M A S S CHAPTER I Because t h e M a s s b r i n g s G o d t o t h e people Christ Still With Us TTAD we lived long ago when the Saviour walked among men, teaching them, doing wonderful works of mercy, and even raising the dead to life, we too might have been eager to follow Him. We too might have wished to be in His sacred Presence, and to ask favors for our friends and for ourselves. Recall one scene from the New Testament. An alert Roman army officer asked Christ to cure his sick servant. When Jesus made ready to go to the man's house, the Cen- turion said: "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my roof; b u t only say the word, and my servant shall be healed" (St. M a t t . viii. 8 ) . At times we may find ourselves saying, "What a pity that we did not live in those blessed days!" As a matter of fact Jesus is still among us, all over the world, wherever the Blessed Sacrament is to be found. And millions place themselves in His Presence in order that they may adore Him, and express sorrow for their sins, and thank Him for constant favors, and seek further blessings. The Mass brings God to the people because the Mass gives the people the Eucharist, and in the Eucharist we have Jesus. During the sacred Sacrifice the people should join with the priest and appeal to the Saviour as did the army officer. If you read your Missal you will find that there is a sacred o 1 0 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS moment when the priest looks at the consecrated Host, and changes just one word of the Centurion's appeal by saying: "Lord, I am not worthy that Thou shouldst enter under my r o o f ; b u t only say the word, and my soul shall be healed." God Speaks to Men By faith we accept the Real Presence of the Redeemer in the Eucharist. Divine faith is not guesswork, not a senti- mental fancy. By an act of divine faith we accept a truth on the authority of God Who cannot make a mistake, and Who would not deceive us. We cannot make an act of divine faith without God's help. That help is called grace. And we cannot make such an act unless we have good will. Children have human faith in a good father. When a father is trust- worthy he deserves all the faith which his obedient children place in him. God is our Eternal Father. We are His chil- dren. He adopts us through Baptism. When He tells us something, we should believe without wavering, because He would not lead us astray. Recall the Gospel which tells of the time when Jesus went with Peter and James and John into a mountain. While there our Lord's garments began to shine like snow, and His face glowed like the sun! A most exalted moment I The voice of the Heavenly Father was heard saying that He was pleased in His Beloved Son, and telling the disciples to accept whatever the Son said. Reflect upon these lines from the Bible: "And lo a voice out of the cloud, saying: This is M y beloved Son, in Whom I am well pleased: hear ye Him. "And the disciples hearing, fell upon their face, and were very much afraid. "And Jesus came and touched them: and said to them, Arise, and fear n o t " (St. M a t t . xvii. 5 - 7 ) . When St. Peter saw our Lord so strikingly transfigured on Mount Thabor, he uttered an exclamation that all ought to 11 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS remember. If we think about its meaning, it should prompt us to go to Mass often, and should serve as a constant invita- tion to pay a visit to a church where Christ is to be found in the Blessed Sacrament. What did St. Peter say? Here are his words: "Lord, it is good for us to be here." The Real Presence If we are to study the Mass and the Real Presence in a fruitful manner, it is necessary to learn the dignity of the commonplace. In a secluded upper-room in Jerusalem Jesus decided to take supper with His disciples. Read with prayer- ful attention the divinely inspired narrative as set down by St. Luke. "And taking bread, He gave thanks, and brake; and gave to them, saying: This is M y Body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of Me. " I n like manner the chalice also, after He had supped, saying: This is the chalice, the new testament in M y Blood, which shall be shed for y o u " (St. Luke xxii. 19, 20). Jesus meant just what He said. He changed the simple ele- ments, bread and wine, into His Body and Blood. An as- tounding mystery! We believe what He said. He is most trustworthy because He is the God-Man. He is the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, eternally united to the Father and to the Holy Spirit. Moreover, it was to His first priests and their successors that He addressed the words: "Do this f o r a commemoration of Me." And so whenever and wherever Holy Mass is truly offered this command is obeyed, and Jesus is present, body, blood, soul and divinity. Were we gifted with the great thinking power of St. Thomas Aquinas, the patron of learning, and were we to live and to learn for a thousand years, we could not get to 12 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS the bottom, nor reach the top of this sublime act of God's love for human beings. But deep and exalted as this great truth is, it is simple enough in its elements to be grasped by children when they have reached the age of reason. I t is gratifying to know that millions flock to the sacred Sacrifice of the Mass even on week days, and it is reasonable to say that millions more would follow if people would only develop the spirit of trustful, unspoiled children, and look to our Lord as sincere friends, filled with the spirit of faith. Lamps and Hearts Restfully review what we have been thinking about by considering a few lines that were written by a boy who went into a church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament. He wanted to be united closely to God, so he thought about the mystery of Divine Love, went home, and in the light of faith wrote this little poem: T H E S A N C T U A R Y L A M P O little red lamp burning At the altar night and day, Flick'ring when my mind is weary, Gleaming when my thoughts are gay, In sweet silence thou art saying With thy tiny tongue of fire, "Christ is dwelling on the altar Hearkening to each desire." O little red heart burning In my body day and night, Stay thou filled with oil of virtue And let strong faith be thy light, Keep thou burnished as a beacon To the great, eternal goal, Thus to mark that God is dwelling— Dwelling safely in the soul. You will note that the first part of this poem refers to the Presence of God in the Blessed Sacrament, where we have, 13 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS along with the most Blessed Trinity, the Sacred Humanity of Christ. The second part refers to the special Presence of God Who, through sanctifying grace, dwells in a good person as in a temple. God Comes Directly to Man The wholesome effects which follow from being present at Mass, or from entering a church to pray before the Blessed Sacrament, should become clearer as we continue the discus- sion on why all should go to Mass. Bringing God to man through the Holy Sacrifice comes to a supernal climax in re- ceiving Holy Communion. St. Thomas Aquinas said some- thing that we all ought to reflect upon as often and as deeply as possible. He said that when we eat ordinary bread the food which we consume is assimilated by our bodies and be- comes part of our bones, muscle and organs. But when we partake of the Bread of Life the process is reversed, and is divinely wonderful because the person who receives the Eu- charist fruitfully is little by little assimilated into the Lord, and becomes more and more Christlike. How ardent should be our desire to receive Holy Communion fruitfully! Meditate now upon the inspired words of one who did not always love Christ, and even persecuted the Church of Christ. After a miraculous conversion he used every ounce of his energy to spread the kingdom of God on earth. He wanted to make amends for his one-time violent opposition to truth and true holiness. What a blessing it would be if all of us became so completely converted to Jesus dwelling in the Sacrament of Love, and offering Himself to the Eternal Father during Mass, that at length, after receiving the Eucharist with burning hearts we could publicly, yet humbly, exclaim with St. Paul: " I live, noiw not I ; but Christ liveth in me" (Epistle to Gala- tiang ii. 20). 14 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Questions 1. Describe the curing of the sick servant of the Cen- turion. 2. What prayer a t Mass recalls this scene ? 3. I s Christ to be found on earth t o d a y ? Where? 4. Wherein does an act of human faith differ f r o m an act of divine f a i t h ? 5. Did God the Father tell human beings to accept the teachings of Jesus? W h e n ? 6. What did our Lord do and what did He teach at the Last Supper? 7. What great act brings God to m a n ? Explain. 8. Why are people so frequently found going into Catho- lic churches on days other than Sunday? 9. What part of the Mass brings God directly to human beings? 10. Tell the effect of the f r u i t f u l coming of God to man as explained by St. Thomas Aquinas. C H A P T E R I I Because t h e M a s s b r i n g s t h e p e o p l e to G o d The Church Unifies Mankind T F you watch the Church in its doctrine and practice, you will see that it aims to unify the human race in God. Ob- serve two things: 1. The Church brings God to man through the Mass and the Sacraments. 2. The Church leads man to God by teaching and preaching. As already explained, the Holy Sacrifice brings the Saviour into the world, and the Saviour is truly God as well as truly man. Even after Mass has been offered, Jesus remains among the people wherever the Eucharist is reserved. The Church brings God to man in a marvelously direct manner when the Eucharist is given to the faithful who come to the altar-rail to receive Holy Communion, or when Holy Viaticum is brought to the dying. In the early days of Christianity nearly all who gathered around the priest partook of the Bread of Life, and the Mass at that time was called the "Breaking of the Bread" (jractio pants). In the modern, worrisome world this sublime union or communion of finite man, with the infinite God, is often ignored. Those who have lowly hearts are in a better position to appreciate this divine marvel than those whose proud minds are burdened with a great cargo of unrelated facts. Pause for a moment to dwell upon a remark made by a venerable colored lady, 106 years old. After having been in- structed, she was received into the Church. On the day when she made her First Holy Communion, her children and her children's children were circled around her, not in a cabin in is 16 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS the South, but in her lowly apartment in a crowded New York tenement. After receiving the Sacrament she made a short speech. Follow her words and consider how clearly she saw that the Church brings God to the people. She said: "My children, for years and years I have prayed that I might die and go to heaven, but today when God has come to me for the first time in Holy Communion I would say t h a t this is heaven enough for m e l " Bringing the People to God Although through the Church God is willing to come to the people, the Church must call the people to God. This she does by teaching and preaching, as divinely commanded. Imagine that you hear our Lord saying: "Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost" (St. Matt, xxviii. 19). "Go ye into the whole world, and preach the Gospel to every creature" (St. M a r k xvi. IS). Her schools, her catechetical activity, her missionary work in lands afar, her printed and spoken word—all these efforts show that the Church is trying to bring the people to Him from Whom all blessings flow. Teaching Through the Senses At the heart of all the activities that tend to bring men to God is the Mass, the most exalted act on the face of the earth! The Redeemer is the sun and center of the solar system of our souls. Light and warmth radiate from Christ crucified and gloriously risen from the dead. Through the senses we first come in contact with the outside world. What- ever we learn must normally, in some way, come through hearing, sight, taste, smell, or feeling. Our Lord, Who knows all things, is aware of this. By reading the New Testament 17 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS we discover that He taught the most sublime truths in a most picturesque manner. He explained the care which the Father has over men by pointing to the birds of the air, and the flowers of the field. He called His disciples "the salt of the earth," but warned them against loss of zeal by speaking of the uselessness of salt that loses its savor. He pointed to the fish that silvered the net, and made the duty of the Apostles unmistakable by saying, " I will make you to be fishers of men" (St. Matt. iv. 19). Mark how the Church uses material things in order to lead the mind to truth, and to bring the soul to God. See the altar. Sometimes it is as simple as a table. I t was at a supper table that Christ said: "This is My Body. This is My Blood." Above the place where the priest stands when repeating the words of Consecration is a crucifix. Does it not remind you of the divine Sacrifice of Calvary? On the altar are at least two candles that lead thoughtful minds through a corridor of nearly 2,000 years to remind them of the early Christians at- tending Mass in the dark catacombs of Rome. The candle is now commonly taken to be a symbol of the light of faith, and may even make you think of Christ, the "Light of the world." On the altar is a book called the Missal, a printed treasury of the holy words pronounced by the priest when saying Mass. The Language of Color As time went on, the Church made use of color as having a language of its own. Whenever you attend Mass allow the vestments worn by the priest to speak to you: Black suggests mourning. I t is used on Good Friday to tell us of the Sacrifice of Calvary. On other days it appeals to us to join with the priest in seeking eternal rest for the dead. Violet preaches humility, penance and contrition. It expresses the spirit which should attend Advent, Lent, the Vigils of Feasts, and Ember Days. It is used on the 18 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Feast of the Holy Innocents, unless the Feast falls on Sunday, when red is worn. Green awakens hope. I t is used on all days which have no special festive character, and which do not ex- press sorrow. As you may recall, the vestments on cer- tain Sundays are green. Red speaks of martyrs. It tells us of our Lord's Passion, and of His Precious Blood. Not of blood alone does it speak, but of fire also, as when worn on the Feast of Pentecost and during its octave. White announces joy and glory. I t is used to honor our Lord, the Blessed Virgin, the holy Angels, the con- fessors, virgins, and all saints who are not martyrs. Masses in honor of the Blessed Sacrament, Nuptial Masses, and those said at the burial of innocent children, are in white. The Voice of the Sanctus Bell While the deaf may feel themselves drawn toward God by the teaching which comes through color, the blind may study, through sound, the great facts of the Redemption while at- tending Mass. If instructed in the catechism, they know of Bethlehem, and may have been deeply impressed by God's goodness in sending an Angel to call the lowly shepherds to adore the new-born King. And so when they hear the Sanc- tus bell during that part of the Mass known as the Consecra- tion, it may seem like the voice of a heavenly messenger say- ing: "This shall be a sign unto you, you shall find the Saviour wrapped in the white and purple swaddling clothes of what appear to be but bread and wine, and laid on the altar." With humble hearts they fall to their knees to adore the same Christ Who was born in Bethlehem. The voice of the priest is a further consolation to the blind, and if it be a solemn Mass the clouds of incense enable them to sense the fragrance of holiness. 19 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS The Epistles Aim to Teach If you follow the priest by reading a Missal you will discern that the Church is trying to bring you close to God by the instructions which are found in the Epistles. In the Latin rite, the Epistle varies. I t may be taken from the Old Testament, such as the writings of the prophets, or it may be a portion of a letter written by an Apostle. The word "Epistle" means "letter." Observe directly what a wealth of instruction is found in this letter of St. Paul which is read on the Feast of Corpus Christi: "Brethren: I have received of the L o r d t h a t which I delivered unto you, t h a t the L o r d Jesus, the same night in which H e was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke and said: Take ye and eat: this is M y Body, which shall be delivered f o r y o u : this do f o r the commemoration of M e . I n like manner also the chalice, a f t e r H e h a d supped, saying: This chalice is the new testament in M y Blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the com- memoration of Me. F o r as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until He come. Therefore whosoever shall eat this bread, or drink the chalice of the Lord unworthily, shall be guilty of the Body and of the Blood of the Lord. B u t let a man prove himself: and so let him eat of t h a t bread, a n d drink of the chalice. For he that eateth a n d drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh judgment to himself, not discerning t h e body of the L o r d " (1 Cor. xi. 23-29). The Glad Tidings The word "Gospel" means "good news" or "glad tidings," the reference being to the coming of the Saviour. At Mass the Gospel tells us something about Christ: His mercy, His patience, or His love. Frequently the words of the Redeemer are quoted directly. Out of special reverence for the Gospel the priest who is about to read it first stands with bowed head before the center of the altar and prays that his heart and his lips be made clean. Just before the priest reads the Gospel he makes the Sign of the Cross on the Missal, and then on his 20 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS forehead, lips and breast. The people sign themselves in the same way. These little crosses should imply that we want the Gospel to be: (1) in our mind, that we may know what the Lord taught; (2) on our lips, that we may bravely tell others the truths of our holy religion; (3) in our heart, that we may lovingly live according to the doctrines of the Gospel. May your understanding of the Mass take on courage and love by reading prayerfully this Gospel of the Mass of Corpus Christi: "At t h a t time: Jesus said to the multitude of the Jews: My Flesh is meat indeed: and My Blood is drink indeed. He that eateth M y Flesh, and drinketh My Blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth Me, the same also shall live by Me. This is the Bread that came down from heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna and are dead. He that eateth this Bread shall live forever" (St. John vi. 56-S9). On Sundays the priest often delivers a sermon after read- ing the holy Gospel. By an explanation of the glad tidings, or a development of some doctrine, he aims to turn the minds and hearts of his hearers toward eternity. Thus the language of color, the sound of the bell, the voice of the priest, the use of printed words, the sight of the cruci- fix, and the solemn moments which attend the Offertory, the Consecration, and the Communion of Holy Mass—all tend to draw the children of Adam to God.' Attend the sacred Sacrifice with fruitful devotion. The inspirations of grace will be like echoes of the voice of Christ saying: "Come to Me, all you that labour, and are burdened, and I will refresh y o u " (St. M a t t . xi. 28). 21 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Questions 1. How does the Church t r y to unify the human race? 2. Describe two ways in which the Church aims to bring the people to God. 3. How did Christ lead the minds of His hearers to eternal t r u t h s ? 4. Does the Church imitate Christ in teaching Christian doctrine? 5. What is meant by the language of color? 6. Name the various colors of the Mass vestments. 7. Tell what these colors symbolize. 8. Explain the importance of the Sanctus bell, especially to the blind. 9. How does the Epistle serve to bring people to God? 10. Why is the Gospel regarded with very special rever- ence? CHAPTER I I I Because t h e M a s s is t h e m o s t e x a l t e d a c t of A d o r a t i o n PATIENT who spent many days convalescing on a hos- pital porch said that he could not keep from hearing much of the conversation of people who came to visit their sick friends and relatives. Visitors, especially women, seemed quite aware of the theory that there is a therapeutic value to smiling and talking about pleasantries. Many things were spoken of as "adorable." Children were "adorable." Sunny days were "adorable." Even funny little hats received the compliment of being called "adorable!" Strange to say, nearly everything was spoken of as "adorable" except God! This may not mean that they purposely excluded God, but it may mean that in modern life words tend to lose their spiritual significance. If we are to argue that everybody should go to Mass be- cause the Mass is the most exalted act of adoration, we should consider the meanings that are attached to the word, adora- tion. (1) In its widest sense adoration is now used to express the reverence shown to any person or object possessing inherently, or by association, a high degree of excellence. Hence the ex- pression, "adorable child." (2) When the reverence turns toward the sacred character of an object, the word takes on a religious meaning. For example, on Good Friday we speak of the "adoration of the Cross." We see Catholics bend the knee before the crucifix. This form of adoration is not absolute, but relative. I t relates to Christ Who died on the Cross for the salvation of all. Adoration in a wide sense may also refer to the homage The Meaning of Adoration 2 2 23 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS paid to the good Angels and to the Saints, on account of their supernatural excellence and union with God. In English we have no word to express this special form of homage. In Latin it is called "dulia." We venerate the Saints and Angels during Mass, some of whose names are mentioned in the Canon, which is the central or fundamental part of the sacred Sacrifice. Furthermore, in English there is no word to express the very special homage due to the Blessed Virgin. The Latin term is "hyperdulia." This word refers to the deep reverence paid to Mary because of her exalted position in heaven as Queen of Saints and Angels, and implies a loving respect for God's Mother and ours, and a confidence in her powerful in- tercession and benevolence. When you go to Mass, follow the words of the priest with your Missal, and you will notice that when he turns his mind to the Church Triumphant he begins his prayer by communing with, and honoring the memory, "first of the glorious, ever Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord Jesus Christ." (3) We now come to a form of adoration that differs from the other forms, not in degree, but in kind. In a strict sense, adoration refers to those acts of divine worship which are directed properly to God alone, in acknowledgment of His su- preme perfection and dominion, and of the creature's de- pendence upon Him. The Latinized Greek word for this kind of adoration is "latria." Sacrifice Expresses Adoration As soon as man recognizes God as the Supreme Being, and understands his dependence upon God, he wants to express outwardly his inward spirit of adoration. This is best done by sacrifice. Adam and Eve taught their children how to offer sacrifice. They built altars and adored the Almighty by giving back to Him what the Lord had given to them. Cain offered the fruits of the earth by burning them on his altar. Abel, who was a shepherd, sacrificed a lamb from his flock. 24 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS The Divine Sacrifice When our First Parents sinned, heaven was closed. It was to be opened again by the Redeemer Who would suffer and die to atone for the sins of mankind. The Redeemer is the Lamb of God. This adorable Lamb of God is offered in sacri- fice on the Cross. The Sacrifice of the Cross is the highest act of adoration. On the Cross the God-Man is the Victim offered to the Eternal Father. Holy Mass is the same sacri- fice, only in an unbloody manner, and is therefore the noblest way of telling God that we look to Him as the absolutely Supreme Being, and express our complete dependence upon Him. Everybody should go to Mass because to know what the Mass is helps us to understand who we are, where we are going, and Who is the Supreme Being in an absolute sense. It warns us against putting something in place of God. When we put something in place of God we become idolaters. The Almighty Dollar Civilized people of today often think that they are quite free from idolatry and superstition. Observation indicates that many still put something in place of God. Have you not heard people talk of the "Almighty Dollar"? They may seem to speak in jest, but it is possible to find men who regard money as the supreme thing, and they express their de- pendence upon it in such a way as to imply that they adore it. Have not some rich men become so attached to gold that when it was taken from them they killed themselves by jumping from tall buildings? In our charity let us trust that they were deranged and not wholly responsible for this form of human sacrifice. But if they really- considered money to be the su- preme thing, they were modern idolaters. The root of this form of worshiping material things is a capital sin known as greed or covetousness. I t brings a lot of trouble into the hearts and homes of men. Consider the words of the late Pope Pius XI, in his letter on the depression: 25 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS "Is it not that lust of earthly goods, that the pagan poet called with righteous scorn 'the accursed hunger for gold'; is it not that sordid egoism which too often regulates the mutual relations of individuals and society; is it not, in fine, greed, whatever be its species and form, that has brought the world to a pass we all see and deplore?" St. Paul in a divinely inspired letter (1 Tim. vi. 10) warns against this form of false worship by writing: "For the desire of money is the root of all evils; which some coveting have erred from the faith, and have entangled themselves in many sorrows." The First Commandment Putting something in place of the true God is an old tendency. Long ago, while Moses was on Mount Sinai the people grew restless and made a graven image for themselves. It was the figure of a calf, formed out of gold that was melted from the earrings and adornments of the women. They began to venerate it, and to offer sacrifice to it, as if it were something supreme. When Moses came down from the moun- tain with the two tablets of the Ten Commandments he saw the people worshiping this golden calf. Filled with holy anger he destroyed the object of their idolatry, and dashed the tablets of stone to pieces by hurling them to the ground! Then God told Moses to make two more tablets like the first. These Moses took up into the mountain and God wrote upon them. The very First Commandment reads: " I am the Lord thy God . . . thou shalt not have strange gods before M e " (Exodus xxxii). Devout attendance at Mass, not only keeps us from wor- shiping false gods, but enables us to adore the true and living God. Pride is one of the very worst sins because through pride we put ourselves in place of the Supreme Being. By going to Mass we associate with the Saviour. Christ, the God-Man, was born in a cave and died on a Cross. His 26 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS lowliness and poverty are expressed all over again in the Eucharist as a sacrifice, and as a sacrament. Think of Di- vinity and Sacred Humanity truly present under the humble appearances of bread and wine! Hearken to the words of Jesus preaching on the mountain: "Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven" (St. M a t t . v. 3 ) . The False God of Worldly Pleasure In our own day we suffer from what may be called the idolatry of a good time. Some people make worldly pleasure the supreme thing. Their lives are regulated by a philosophy of self-indulgence. A most conspicuous form of false adoration of this kind concerns the sense of taste. It leads quickly to the vice of gluttony, one of whose scandalous children is drunkenness. It is an old disorder, and St. Paul gives terrible warning by saying that drunkards shall not enter into the kingdom of God. In a letter which he wrote to the Philippians (Epistle of 23rd Sunday after Pentecost) we read: "For many walk, of whom I have told you often (and now tell you weeping), that they are enemies of the Cross of Christ. "Whose end is destruction: whose God is their belly; and whose glory is in their shame; who mind earthly things." At Mass we mind heavenly things, and adore the Triune God Who alone can give us the eternal pleasure of the Beatific Vision. State Idolatry A constant menace to modern society is that view of life which regards the State as something absolutely supreme. When the State claims to have rightful control of the whole of existence, and aims to press down on the totality of human activities, it is called totalitarian, an ugly word for an ugly error. I t may be termed social idolatry, and quickly leads, either to an attempt to destroy all religion, as in Russia, or to introduce some form of religion that will be totally under the 27 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS control of the State, as in Germany. Of old the idolatrous Israelites sacrificed thousands of their children to the false god, Moloch. Today may we not say that through persecu- tion and unjust wars millions are being sacrificed to the modern totalitarian State? In some mysterious way, however, the flame of faith keeps burning, in spite of the whirlwind of oppression. In the youthful days of the Church it was kept from being extinguished by adoring God during the Sacrifice of the Mass offered on the tombs of the martyrs in the dark catacombs, or underground cemeteries in Rome. All should go to Mass, rulers and subjects alike, in order that they may humbly adore God Who alone is adorable in a complete and absolute sense, because He alone is the Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth. The Mass is the oblation or offering to the Eternal Father of the Divine Teacher Who taught obedience to all lawfully established authority by say- ing: "Render, therefore, to Caesar the things that are Caesar's; and to God the things that are God's" (St. M a t t . xxii. 21). Perpetual Persecution In a certain sense, Christians are always under persecu- tion. Christ foretold it. Society organized apart from God tries to destroy the Mass. The devil whispers that the Mass is superstition. Fallen human nature tells us to stay in bed on Sunday morning and rest. But lively faith says, "Go to Mass. Go frequently to Mass. Try to get everybody to go to Mass. In the Cross is salvation." And when you go to Mass, adore God in spirit and in truth, and openly profess your faith by worshiping devoutly the Blessed Eucharist. When the Bread of Life is lifted above the head of the priest at the time of the Consecration do not bow your head at once. Look first to the Sacred Host, and from the depths of your soul utter the little ejaculation which has an indulgence attached to it: " M y Lord, and my God." 28 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Questions 1. What does adoration mean in a wide sense? 2. Explain adoration in a strict sense. 3. How should we venerate the Saints, and the Blessed Virgin? 4. Tell what sacrifice expresses. 5. What is the noblest act of adoration? 6. What did St. Paul say about money? 7. How did Pius X I explain the root of economic un- happiness? 8. How does the Mass offset the worship of worldly pleasure? 9. What is meant by a totalitarian State? 10. What should you do when the priest lifts the Sacred Host above his head at the Consecration of the Mass? CHAPTER IV Because the M a s s inspires a c t s of p e r f e c t c o n t r i t i o n The Confiteor r p H E word, Confiteor, is a Latin term, and means, " I con- -1- fess." When used in relation to the Mass, it refers to a dramatic prayer. Watch the priest and the server at the beginning of the Holy Sacrifice and you will see that the celebrant stands at the foot of the altar and says certain prayers to which the altar boy responds. At first the priest stands erect, but all at once he changes his position, bows low, with his face to the ground, and begins a prayer by say- ing, " I confess to Almighty God" ("Confiteor Deo omnipo- tenti"). In this prayer while acknowledging that he has sinned, he strikes his breast three times and says, "Through my fault, through my fault, through my most grievous fault" ("Mea culpa, mea culpa, mea maxima culpa"). Then he assumes a normal position again while the server (representing the people) bows profoundly and repeats the same solemn prayer. The Confiteor is a public expression of sorrow for sin. Priest and people openly tell the Blessed Virgin, and the Saints and Angels, and all present, that they have offended the all holy God by sin, and that before the Mass goes farther they seek grace and pardon and purity of heart. A Literal Meaning of Contrition Since the Confiteor is a prayer of sorrow for sin, it may help us to understand the dispositions we should have in at- tending Mass if we consider the nature of contrition, and its kinds. Go to the dictionary and you will find that the literal 29 30 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS meaning of contrition is the act of grinding or pounding something to powder. For example, a chemist may put into a mortar some lumps of talc (a mineral) and then pound them with a short rod or pestle, and thereby reduce the talc to talc powder. In the language of the chemist he is said to reduce the mineral to powder form by contrition. During the saying of the Confiteor the priest bends low and strikes his breast. This outward movement is meant to be a sign of an inward disposition. He is pounding his heart, as it were, try- ing to reduce it to the powder of repentance. In the language of Christian doctrine, this too is contrition. It is a stirring way of proclaiming publicly that he is a sinner, and that he wishes God to pardon him. If we follow the priest at Mass, and join with him in offering the Mass, as we should, we too shall try to break up any hardness of heart into the powder of repentance by contrition. Contrition in a Wide Sense The widest meaning of contrition, as a disposition of heart, is compunction or sorrow for having done something wrong. In its lowest form, contrition of this kind is not supernatural. We may think of a woman who says that she is sorry that she missed Mass on Sunday. She does not hesitate to say that she is sorry merely because she had a new dress which she failed to display to the other members of the congregation. If that is her only motive of sorrow, her contrition is not supernatural, and is rooted in the sin of vanity. A boy may be sorry that he stole and ate green apples because he got a pain in the stomach. Such contrition is purely natural. A wealthy manufacturer may be sorry that he did not pay the workmen a living wage because it led to a strike, and the strike led to the suspension of his business. Such contrition is also natural, and not supernatural. A man commits murder. He is sorry because he now finds himself in prison facing the electric chair. Such contrition also is of the earthly sort. 31 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Contrition in a Moral Sense Contrition in a moral sense must be sorrow for sin as an offense against God. Turning to the Catholic Catechism1 we read: "Contrition for sin is heartfelt sorrow for sins we have com- mitted, with hatred for them, and firm purpose of amendment." I t is important to reflect upon the elements of such an act of contrition. The sorrow must be: inward, supernatural, profound, and universal. Consider these in turn: (1) Inward contrition is that which comes right from the heart and is not merely on the lips. If I go to Mass and strike my breast and say, " 0 God, I am sorry for my sins," and don't mean it at all, I give way to hypocrisy, even though I am repeating the words out loud and in sorrowful tones. (2) Supernatural contrition is due to the influence of grace. It springs from a motive that is above the natural. During Mass the mere sight of the crucifix above the priest may prompt me to say, "You suffered and died, dear Lord, that heaven might be opened to me. My sins will keep me out of heaven if I do not repent. I am sorry for my sins because I have offended You. I fear hell, and the thought of the loss of heaven fills me with dismay." Such a prayer, if earnest, involves motives which are supernatural. (3) Profound contrition means that we look upon sin as the greatest evil in the world, and hate it accordingly. Sin it is that brought suffering and death to mankind. The Confiteor should remind us of this greatest of evils, and should prompt us to be rid of it. Christ took upon Himself the wrongdoing of the whole world. He wanted to atone for sin with His most Precious Blood. During Mass we lay our iniquities upon the Lamb of God about to be immolated or sacrificed on the altar, that He may atone for them. The priest during the Confiteor bows low, and humbly presents himself as if weighed down by his sins and ours, in order that he may present them to the Eternal Father and ask for mercy. l ct. The Catholic Catechism, by Peter Card. Gasparri, p. 177. 32 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS The priest striking his breast should remind us of Christ in the lonely garden of olive trees, bowed down by the sins of the whole world. The Sacred Heart is so bruised by the weight of woe that Jesus sweats blood 1 The priest at Mass stands in place of the Redeemer. During the Confiteor the Church wants him to express profound sorrow for his own sins, and for the sins of all. Long ago the price of Redemp- tion was paid once and for all on the Cross of Calvary, but now, in an unbloody manner, it is offered anew to bring about the forgiveness of sins. Contrition that is truly profound does not necessarily de- mand an intense outward display of emotions, such as would be expressed in tears. It is sufficient to have a calm detesta- tion of sin as the worst of evils. (4) Universal contrition must include all mortal sins that have been committed since Baptism, and not directly par- doned in the sacrament of Penance. The spirit of the Con- fiteor at Mass is to confess that we have "sinned exceedingly in thought, word, and deed" and to be sorry for all our of- fenses, sparing not even one. Imperfect Contrition We now approach an extremely important doctrine. Con- trition, or sorrow for sin, may be imperfect or perfect. When I bruise my heart with sorrow that arises from fear, such as the fear of hell, or the fear of losing heaven, then the contri- tion is imperfect. Such contrition is sometimes called attrition. Imperfect contrition is sufficient when we go to Con- fession and are absolved by a validly ordained priest, though we should strive to have perfect contrition. Perfect Contrition Now the question arises, "What is perfect contrition?" In the Catechism we read: "Perfect contrition is a sorrow or hatred for sin, springing from charity inasmuch as sin is an offense against God Who is su- premely good and worthy to be loved above all things." 33 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Perfect contrition, then, is the turning of the soul to God out of pure love of God Who is infinitely good. It is consoling to know that although spoken words may help to awaken the proper dispositions, the lips need not move in making this holy act. It is essentially a matter of charity, the greatest of the virtues. Keep this in mind when you are trying to assist the dying to make an act of perfect contrition at a time when they are no longer able to speak, or even whisper. Theolo- gians say that persons of good will can easily awaken such acts of perfect sorrow. There is a book called Heaven Open to Souls, written by the late Father Henry Semple, S.J. The subtitle reads: "Love for God above all things and Perfect Contrition easy and common in souls resolved to avoid mortal sin." Effects of Perfect Contrition All should go to Mass because the Mass inspires acts of true sorrow for sin, and many of these movements of the mind and heart are acts of perfect contrition. The impor- tance of making this widely known will be found in reflecting upon the effects of perfect contrition. (1) Study the words of the Council of Trent (Sess. xiv. c. 4 ) : "Perfect contrition, contrition for love of God, justifies man and reconciles him with God even before the reception of the sacrament of Penance." Keep in mind that at least the implied intention of going to Confession is necessarily included in an act of sorrow that deserves to be called perfect. (2) When a person who is already in the state of grace makes an act of perfect contrition, grace is increased, the soul is strengthened, and venial sins of which the person repents in making the act, are remitted. (3) If the act of perfect contrition is made by one who 34 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS has never been baptized by water, this prayer of consuming sorrow is the baptism of desire. An act of love for God, and martyrdom can take the place of Baptism. But in such an act of love perfect contrition for sin is necessarily implied, and also the desire to be baptized. The Mass Inspires Perfect Contrition Holy Mass is a sacrifice of propitiation. By this is meant a sacrifice that appeases the justice of God. All sin goes against the justice of God. The teaching Church speaks through her councils. Examine these words taken from the Council of Trent (Sess. xxii. c. 2). "By the offering of this Sacrifice, God is appeased and bestows grace and the gift of repentance." Since it is granted that acts of perfect contrition are easily and frequently made by those who are well-disposed, the Mass must be a most prolific source of inspiration for such prayers as serve to unlock the very gates of heaven. Father Maurice de la Taille, S.J., a distinguished teacher of Christian doc- trine {The Mystery of Faith, p. 402), maintains that it is morally certain that if a person in serious sin goes to Mass with his heart awakened to imperfect contrition and shares devoutly in the divine Sacrifice, that person will break into acts of perfect contrition, and will thereby be rendered j u s t 2 in God's sight. We are all sinners, and sin is the greatest evil. In order that we may share in the apostolate of the Church we should try to do something to get all to go to Mass. Here and now we can utter a little prayer that at some time or other all human beings may go to Mass and fall under the inspiration of such grace as prompts the children of Adam to say that they are sorry for their sins out of love for God Who is in- finitely good. 2 One who is rendered just obtains sanctifying grace. 35 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Questions 1. What is the Confiteor? 2. Explain the widest meaning of contrition. 3. Is all sorrow f o r sin supernatural? 4. What elements should be found in supernatural sor- row f o r sin? 5. Must we weep over our sins to have sorrow that is profound? 6. Explain the motive of imperfect contrition. 7. What is perfect contrition? 8. What is the greatest effect of perfect contrition? 9. What is meant by saying that the Mass is a sacrifice of propitiation? 10. What important prayer is inspired easily and fre- quently by going to Mass? CHAPTER V Because the M a s s is the best w a y of s a y i n g , " T h a n k s be to G o d " Thanks Be to God T F everyone throughout the world were each day to exclaim, "Thanks be to God," and really mean it, many difficulties would disappear. Yes, some difficulties would remain, because earth is not heaven, but the spirit of gratitude could be made to encircle even sorrow. The person who is filled with faith and charity learns how to join pain and misery to the sacred sufferings of Christ Who died on a Cross for our salvation, and Who offers Himself anew, in an unbloody manner, to thé Eternal Father, wherever Mass is said. Originally Holy Mass was called the Eucharistie sacrifice, which means the sacrifice of thanksgiving. From this it follows that all human beings who have the use of reason should go to Mass willingly and humbly, because devout attendance at Mass is the very best way of saying, "Thanks be to God." Factual Knowledge Not Enough It is not enough to know that we should be grateful to God, nor even to count over life's blessings and to speak about them eloquently. One may readily admit that the Mass is a supreme and divine blessing. But ¡acts are not enough Strange as it may seem, it is advisable for even members of a Catholic Discussion Club to pause at this point. Socrates of ancient Greece, although a great thinker, made a very serious mistake when he held that "knowledge was the only virtue, and ignorance the only vice." Listening to the quiz programs of the radio, or endorsing certain modern school tendencies, might incline a person to think that Socrates was right. It is possible that some may surmise that the sole purpose of a Catholic Discussion Club is to gather informa- 3 6 37 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS tion. This gives rise to a grave danger. If, for example, the Club is studying the virtue of humility, an apt student may be tempted unsuspectingly to become proud of his knowledge of humility I You may recall our Lord denouncing this sort of thing in the Gospel which is read on the tenth Sunday after Pente- cost. He tells of the Pharisee and the publican who went into the temple to pray. The Pharisee stood erect, held his head high, and said, "O God, I give thanks that I am not as the rest of men." He then told of the sins of the publican, and counted over what he thought were his own virtues. The publican bowed low in repentance, and struck his breast saying, "O God, be merciful to me a sinner." He evidently made an act of perfect contrition because our Lord said that this publican went home justified, but that the Pharisee was displeasing in the sight of the Almighty. While discussing gratitude we must guard against all spurious forms of thanks- giving. We should constantly strive to be, not mere students of the word, but doers also. Principle Plus Practice Study that does not unfold into action is fruitless. On the other hand, so-called practical people should remember that action which is not directed by principle leads to con- fusion. Practice without principle is like a blind man along the road; he is in danger of falling into a pit. Contrariwise, principle without practice is like a paralyzed man with a good pair of eyes; he is unable to walk toward the goal which he clearly sees. If a man has developed the practice of going to Mass merely out of routine without knowing the nature of the sacred Sacrifice, during persecution, or even under the pressure of some small inconvenience, he is in danger of hid- ing his faith. Moreover, if a student knows many things about the Mass and the liturgy and does not practice going to Mass, such a person, out of greed for information, may be found reading the Catholic Encyclopedia on Sunday morn- 38 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS ing at the very time when he should be in church raising his heart in gratitude to God during the Sacrifice of thanks- giving. The proper spirit of a Discussion Club is regulated by principle plus practice. The Nature of Thanksgiving Our wills need to be trained as well as our intellects. Moral virtues are those which perfect the appetitive faculties of the soul, namely, the will and the sensuous appetite. These faculties are the powers of the soul whereby we want or desire something. There are four cardinal virtues: prudence, jus- tice, temperance, and fortitude. Temperance and fortitude tend to moderate our lower wants. Temperance, for example, should control the sense of taste, the appetite for food and drink, and should guard against gluttony and drunkenness. Fortitude prompts us to be strong in doing our duty. For instance, it gives us courage to brave the sneers of unbelievers and to go gladly to Mass on Sundays and Holydays of Obli- gation. Justice tends to make perfect the rational appetite or will. There are several virtues which are joined to justice. Among them is the virtue of gratitude or thanksgiving. Grati- tude inclines a person to recognize benefits received, and to render thanks to the donor accordingly. A well-ordered knowledge of the Sacrifice of thanksgiving prompts us to ex- claim, "Thanks be to God for God!" God the Source of All Blessings Reason and revelation reveal that our first and greatest benefactor is God. From the Supreme Being all blessings flow. Yes, all the favors of nature and grace come ultimately from on high. The sun by day, and on a clear night the velvet sky studded with golden stars, the surging sea, the fields ripe unto the harvest, the heart that beats within my body, the mind whereby I read this printed page, the faith I treasure, and the life of grace which I trust is in my soul, whereby 39 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS man becomes the temple of the Triune God, the dwelling place of his Creator, his Redeemer, and his Sanctifier—how is it possible for any finite creature to thank adequately Infinite Goodness for favors so numerous that mortal life is not long enough to make the list complete! St. Lawrence Justinian writes: "Anyone trying to count all the favors given by thp Almighty is like a man who would try to put the mighty ocean in a small jar; this would be easier than to tell in the most eloquent language the countless gifts of God." The Mass Adequately Thanks God When we contrast our own littleness with the limitless greatness of God, when we see the size of the debt of grati- tude owed to our Maker, the question arises, "Is there no possibility of man thanking God fully for all the favors of life?" The answer is, "What is impossible to man, God has made possible through Christ." Our Lord has both a human nature and a divine nature. Consequently the gratitude which inflamed His Sacred Heart at the Last Supper, and on Cal- vary, was of infinite value. These boundless and perfect sen- timents are renewed when Jesus offers Himself during Holy Mass. And what gift of gratitude does the Redeemer offer? The gift of thanksgiving which Christ offers to the Eternal Father is the same as the divine oblation on the Cross—His most adorable Body, and His most Precious Blood I Conse- quently the Mass is an infinitely meritorious and acceptable sacrifice of thanksgiving, and serves as a perfect balance for all the blessings that are showered upon man by God. Our Saviour knows that of ourselves we cannot fully or prop- erly give thanks to the "Father of mercies and the God of all consolation," and So He offers Himself for us in the Eucha- ristic Sacrifice in order that He may lift up His Sacred Heart and say for us, "Thanks be to God." What a divine favor it is which enables us to join our hearts to the adorable Heart of Christ in this profound Sacrifice of thanksgiving! 40 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Expressions of Thanks in the Mass Holy Mass is, by its very nature, qualified to arouse in us the impulse to say, "Thanks be to God." Study the pages of your Missal and see how frequently the prayers of the Eucharistic Sacrifice burst into transports of gratitude. In the Gloria attend devoutly to the words: "We give Thee thanks f o r Thy great glory, O Lord God, Heavenly King, God the Father Almighty." The Preface of the Mass is a sublime hymn of praise and gratitude. At the beginning of the Preface there is a dialogue between the priest and the server, representing the people. Note the dramatic expressions of thanksgiving: " L i f t up your hearts." "We have them lifted up unto the Lord." "Let us give thanks to the Lord our God." " I t is meet and just." Read with awesome reverence the holy words of Consecration: "Who the day before He suffered, took bread into His holy and venerable hands, and with His eyes lifted u p to heaven, unto Thee, God, His Almighty Father, giving thanks to Thee, He blessed, broke, and gave to His disciples, saying: Take and eat ye all of this, for T H I S IS M Y BODY." "In like manner, after He had supped, taking also this excellent Chalice into His holy and venerable hands, also giving thanks to Thee, He blessed and gave it to His disciples saying: T A K E AND D R I N K Y E ALL O F T H I S : FOR T H I S IS T H E CHALICE OF M Y BLOOD of the new and eternal testament; the mystery of faith, which shall be shed for you and for many f o r the remission of sins." At Communion time the priest says: "What shall I render to the Lord for all He hath rendered unto me? I will take the chalice of salvation, and call upon the Name of the Lord, and I shall be saved from mine enemies." 41 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS A Great Fear Although the Mass is a Sacrifice of thanksgiving, and con- stantly invites us to be grateful to God for His innumerable favors, it is possible that some may say, " I t is easy to be thankful for the sunshine, but I find it almost impossible to be grateful when sorrow knocks at my door." Strong faith, lowliness of heart, and a clear understanding of the Cross of Christ, should serve to make all thankful to God, even in time of trial. An experience may help to point out that it can be done. In 71 Jackson Street, New York, is a little hospital known as St. Rose's Home.3 It is solely for the poor who are afflicted with incurable forms of cancer. Accepting its hospitality was an old lady whose chief joys were saying the Rosary and at- tending Holy Mass. To a priest who visited the patients she always directed one little request, "Father, please pray for me." One day when the priest called, the old lady was in bed, and the Sister whispered that the end was not far. On seeing the priest she beckoned him to her bedside and said, "Father, I have a great fear!" (Keep in mind her condition: penniless, her body alive with pain, and, as some might sur- mise, nothing to be thankful for.) The priest consolingly said, "My good woman, what is your great fear?" Her answer deserves a place of dignity: " I fear—I fear that I don't love God half enough. He is so good!" How anxious we should be to go to Mass in order that we may exercise our souls in reparation, the simple act of joining our heartaches to the sacred sufferings of Him Who offered Himself to the Eternal Father in the great Sacrifice of the Cross. Deep should be our gratitude for knowing that it is possible for poor, weak creatures like ourselves to have 8 This is one of several hospitals founded by the late Mother Alphonsa, daughter of Nathaniel Hawthorne. Her institutions are highly exclusive in the salutary sense that patients are not accepted unless they belong to the aristocracy of both poverty and pain. 42 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS a share in the atonement for sin wrought by the Precious Blood of Jesus Christ. The Last Word at Mass At the end of Mass there is something for us to remember all during the day and far into the night. As you may recall, in the Latin rite it is not the priest but the altar boy who has the last word. What does he say? A simple conclusion: "Deo gratias."—"Thanks be to God." Questions 1. What does Eucharistic Sacrifice mean? 2. Should a Discussion Club seek merely factual knowl- edge? 3. Explain the relationship between principle and prac- tice. 4. Describe gratitude as a moral virtue. 5. Trace the source of all good things. 6. How can finite man adequately thank God Who is infinite? 7. What expression of thanks is contained in the Gloria? 8. What effect should the Preface of the Mass have upon our h e a r t s ? 9. Did our Lord give thanks at the Last Supper? Explain. 10. How can we thank God f o r the sufferings of mortal life? CHAPTER VI Because the M a s s is a m o s t p o w e r f u l S a c r i f i c e of S u p p l i c a t i o n Priests Under Persecution WHEN the unbelieving Bolshevists began to crush religion in Russia, they tried to destroy the sacred Sacrifice. Hundreds of priests were sent into exile, and thousands were murdered. Had you visited a certain prison at the outset of the appalling upheaval you would have been deeply impressed with the Mass as man's most powerful means of supplication. Five hundred miles north of Leningrad on Solovetsky Island, in the White Sea, is a grim forbidding penitentiary into which men are thrown to do penance for having professed allegiance to God in a country that has the unholy ambition of becoming godless! Into a small room are crowded Bishop Matulionis and from thirty-five to forty priests. One of the Fathers re- veals an unsuspected genius for making patens and chalices out of tin cans. When the guards are not looking, flour is turned into altar breads, and a small amount of wine is made of raisins. In the prison is an attic for storing baggage. One priest stands watch while others, five at a time, climb to the top of the building. Old boxes and bags are hastily trans- formed into altars, small candles shatter the darkness, and night after night little tin chalices containing the Blood of Christ are lifted up toward the stars to adore the Creator, to express sorrow for sin, to raise hearts in gratitude to the Almighty, and to utter such supplication as is in keeping with the Will of God in time of trial. A Sacrifice of Petition All should go to Mass because it may be offered for what- soever we need in the order of nature and of grace. In the liturgies of the different rites it is clear that the Mass has 44 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS always been regarded as the most powerful means of obtain- ing assistance in all the anxieties of this life. As a sacrifice which seeks favors the Mass produces its effects by way of impetration or petition. It is offered to avert harm, to restore health, to obtain work, to bless the bonds of matrimony, to inflame with charity the hearts of men ordained to the priest- hood, to bring solace to the living, and eternal rest to the dead. So long as the world, the flesh and the devil have us under persecution we are all in need of joining with the priest as he offers the adorable Sacrifice of the Mass. St. Augustine on Petition Danger continues so long as we are pilgrims on our way to the heavenly Jerusalem. Man's needs are many, his poverty great. Do we not stand before God as beggars? The Mass is an overflowing treasury of spiritual riches. No one should go away with empty hands. What a privilege at Holy Mass to join our prayers to the prayers of the celebrant who stands in place of Christ! Mark well what St. Augustine writes about our Lord: "He prays for us as our High Priest. He prays in us as our Head. We pray to Him as our God." The Mass Is One With Calvary The power of supplication or petition, as exercised in the sacred Sacrifice must be tremendous. Keep in mind that each Mass is one with Calvary. St. Peter Canisius writes: "The Mass is both a representation, at once holy and living, and an offering, bloodless yet actual, of the Passion of the Lord and of the blood-stained Sacrifice which was offered for us on Calvary." Father M. de la Taille, S.J., has this to say: "The Mass, while picturing, also offers to God the Sacrifice of the Cross. That is offered which is represented: Christ's death is represented. Hence the Sacrifice of the Mass is the same as 45 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS the Sacrifice of . the Cross: the same Victim, the same Priest: only the manner of offering is different: blood-stained on the Cross, bloodless on our altars." The Supplication of Christ The blood of Abel, slain by Cain, cried to heaven for vengeance; but the Precious Blood of Christ, shed for the salvation of all, calls to heaven for mercy upon them for whom Jesus prayed, "Father, forgive them." There is one God in three Divine Persons. During Mass contemplate the most Blessed Trinity. The well-beloved Son prays, the Eternal Father hears, the Holy Spirit sanctifies. The prayers of our Lord are not in vain. Attend to His words: "Father, I give Thee thanks that Thou hast heard Me. "And I knew that Thou hearest Me always; but because of the people who stand about have I said it, that they may be- lieve that Thou hast sent M e " (St. John xi. 41, 42). Pause for a moment while we briefly consider the God- man in relation to prayer. The Sacred Heart is both divine and human. In Christ dwells the fullness of divinity, and yet the Heart of Jesus adores the Most High. ' In Christ is the divine source of forgiveness, and yet the Heart of Jesus was crushed for our iniquities. In Christ is infinite Majesty, and yet the Heart of Jesus is raised in gratitude to the most Blessed Trinity. In Christ is the divine treasury of all blessings, and yet tlu> Heart of Jesus pleads for our salvation. The Nature of Prayer Prayer is the lifting of the mind and heart to God. It is conversation with the Supreme Being. One little word, ACTS, will help us to remember the different kinds of prayer: A = Adoration C = Contrition T = Thanksgiving S = Supplication 46 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Praying for Enemies In praying for others a difficulty arises. You may have heard someone say, " I find it easy to pray for my relatives and friends, living and dead, and for pagans in far-off lands that they may be converted, but how am I honestly to pray for my enemies, especially my personal enemies?" I t is clear that Christian doctrine teaches that we are not to exclude our enemies from our prayers. "Pray for them that persecute and calumniate y o u " (St. M a t t . v. 44). Now think calmly and devoutly. When you go to Mass look to the Crucifix and recall the words of the suffering Saviour as He prayed for those who had nailed Him to the Cross: "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do" (St. Luke xxiii. 3 4 ) . If you are tempted to think that mere human beings cannot be so heroic in their petitions, remember that by grace given to us by the Almighty we can do things that are above our natural strength. Heaven's help is being constantly offered to us. Consider St. Stephen who was stoned to death by those who nurtured a violent hatred for Christianity. So responsive was this young martyr to the grace of Christ cruci- fied that his last breath was spent in saying a prayer of peti- tion, seeking pardon for his enemies: "Lord, lay not this sin to their charge" (Acts vii. 59). A Difficulty Concerning Petitions Another difficulty arises. Perhaps you have heard your- self saying, "For a long time I have prayed for a certain favor. I have made Novenas, and have had Masses offered for my intention, and yet my favor has not been granted." The 47 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS statement may be made in a tone of discouragement since our Lord said: "Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to y o u " (St. Luke xi. 9 ) . At the outset, a prayer of petition which is all that it ought to be, presupposes certain elements: (1) We should not ask for anything that may hinder salvation. (2) If a person is in mortal sin he should first seek the grace of repentance, and ask for other favors after that. (3) The prayer should be said with the right dispositions. Humility, confidence, and perseverance mark those who are properly disposed. More- over, in prayers of petition we must consider an important matter, namely, ordinary politeness when seeking a favor. If, for example, a small boy at table were abruptly to say to his father, "Pass the bread," and made no qualification, merely presenting the absolute petition somewhat in the form of a command, he would be considered rude, and would deserve be- ing ignored. If he realizes that his father knows what is good for his children, the boy will say, "Pass the bread, if you please." If, for any reason whatsoever the father did not pass the bread, it would not be logical to say that the boy's request was not granted. Should the boy really mean what is implied in the words, "If you please," his mind can be expressed by saying, "Father, do not pass the bread if it is not pleasing to you to do so." Of course if we regard "If you please" as an empty and meaningless formality, then we may expect the boy to say that the favor was not granted. Politeness in Prayer There should be politeness in prayer as well as in ordinary conversation. God is our Father, and we are His children. When we ask anything from the Eternal Father we should add, "If you please,"—and mean it. Had we lived long ago we might have been numbered among the disciples who went to our Lord and said: "Lord, teach us to pray." Whereupon Jesus composed for them that perfect prayer called, the "Our 48 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Father." I t contains petitions as well as praise. But the petitions are not set forth in an absolute and impolite way. They are qualified. In what way? By the simple words, "Thy will be done." I t is the same as saying, "Eternal Fa- ther, grant my request, if you please" God knows best. He sees everything in the perspective of eternity. Our vision is limited. If we trust God completely, and if we ask for favors only if it be pleasing to God, even though the things upon which we have set our hearts be not forthcoming, no one shall be heard saying, "My prayer was not answered." Christ Teaches by Word and Example Our Lord is the perfect Teacher. He instructs us, not by word alone but by example also. When Christ suffered in the lonely garden a prayer of petition arose from His terrible agony. He said, "My Father, if it be possible, let this chalice pass from Me." But the petition is qualified by these words, "Nevertheless, not as I will but as Thou wilt." I t was another way of saying, "Thy will be done." Our Lord con- tinued to suffer. I t was the will of the Father that the Son should suffer and die for our salvation. In view of this it would not be correct to say that the prayer of Christ was not answered. A Petition for Peace During the Mass there is a petition which comes after the Lord's Prayer. I t is a cry for peace. The priest asks Christ, through the intercession of our Lady and the Apostles, Peter and Paul and Andrew, to "grant mercifully peace in our days." True peace is the tranquillity of order. It involves: (1) Peace with God, by keeping His Commandments. (2) Peace with ourselves, by making our emotions subject to faith and rea- son. (3) Peace with our neighbor, by dealing with him in such a way as not to violate justice or charity. The Mass, since it is one with Calvary, serves to establish peace between earth and heaven. In the words of Pope Pius X, "Pray the Mass." 49 WHY ALL SHOULD GO TO MASS Questions 1. Why is the Mass called a Sacrifice of supplication? 2. Quote St. Augustine on Christ and prayer. 3. What is prayer? Can we pray the Mass? 4. What are the various kinds of prayer? 5. Give two historical examples of prayer for enemies. 6. State the difficulty which sometimes attends prayers of petition. 7. How should a prayer of petition be qualified? 8. What prayer at Mass reveals the spirit of true peti- tion? 9. How did our Lord teach the prayer of petition by ex- ample? 10. Explain the petition for peace found in the Canon of the Mass. CHAPTER VII Because t h e M a s s gives to m a n k i n d the S a c r a m e n t o f L o v e The Mass Gives Christ to Mankind T T O L Y MASS is not only the offering of the Divine Son to J - J - the Eternal Father; it is also the means of giving Christ to the children of men, to be among them, so that during Mass the faithful may receive Jesus in Holy Communion, and after Mass may adore Him in every church and chapel where the Sacrament of Love is reserved. Christmas Play Outlined If there is one time of the year when love comes to a climax, it is on Christmas. The Eucharist, rightly known, and devoutly loved, preserves the spirit of the Nativity all during the year,—not by any lavish emphasis upon material things, but by a holy sanction of the spirit of charity, es- pecially in the hearts of the lowly. All this may become easy to remember in the following summary of a little Christmas play: SCENE I : Interior of home of a poor family. The mother is rocking her child to sleep, and is finishing the story of the Birth of Christ as expressed in the Gospel. She has just told of the Wise Men who followed a mysterious star and came to Bethlehem, bringing gifts. At the close of the story she says, "If dear Jesus were to be bora into the world this Christmas, I wonder what the boys and girls of to- day would give to Him?" The child answers slowly, " I won- der I"—and falls asleep. (Curtain falls.)