The year was 1985 when I came to a realization that Sunday Mass alone was not enough.  There was a deep gnawing feeling inside that wanted more, and that is when I began going to daily Mass.  After attending Mass, I leave feeling such joy, love and peace that carries throughout my day.  No one on this earth, including our spouse, can give us the depth of love that we receive from Jesus, and I surely desire to share that experience with all my brothers and sisters.

I once read a story about St. Catherine of Sienna: Jesus used to appear to her.  One day, Catherine asked Jesus for a special favor, which He granted.  She was so pleased that she asked Jesus what she could do for Him.  He told her:  “Attend one Mass for Me.”  See if every Catholic knew the tremendous value of attending Mass, the churches would be packed every day. 

The spiritual graces that we obtain from attending Mass benefit the entire Mystical Body of Christ.  That is, every baptized Christian person profits from every Mass that we attend.  Those spiritual graces are also adding to our Heavenly treasure, which is eternal. 

Did you know that our guardian angel is a spirit, and therefore cannot receive Jesus Christ in the Eucharist?  When we have Jesus within us after receiving the Eucharist, our guardian angel and all the angels in that church bow to us.  I have read that the church is “packed” with angels at every Mass, and some people have been gifted with seeing them.

Some days it’s hard to get out of bed to go to Mass in the morning - maybe it’s was too cold or I didn’t sleep well or went to bed very late.  That’s when I tell myself, “I have to standup, suit up and show up for Jesus” because I know that all Christians will benefit from my attending.

The Mass is a powerful prayer that we can offer to God by our being there in total oneness with Jesus who is offering himself to God.  It is where ordinary bread and wine are miraculously changed into the real Body and Blood, Soul and Divinity of Jesus in the Eucharist at the Consecration of the Mass.  Whenever we receive the Eucharist, Jesus dwells within us, which is the closest we can ever be to Jesus in this life.  And know that Jesus wants to be one with us when we receive Him in Holy Communion.  Each time we attend Mass, we are participating in the most amazing event in the entire universe.

Since few people achieve perfection in this life but, rather, go to the grave still scarred with traces of sinfulness, some period of purification is necessary before a soul comes face-to-face with God. The prayers of the living can speed the process of purification.  The greatest gift we can give a person who has died is to have a Mass said for them, and I’ve read that the souls in Purgatory know when we pray and have Masses said for them.  Since they can’t pray for themselves, they count on family and friends to help shorten their stay there because they long to be with Jesus since they now know and have experienced His unconditional love. 

My hope is that people reading this writing will see the benefit of attending Mass as frequently as possible.

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