Ideas for Preparing and Participating in the Mass:

Pre-Mass

1.  Read the following: Constitution On the Sacred Liturgy, promulgated by His Holiness Paul VI,  Purchase and read: The Lamb's Supper: Experiencing the Mass, by Scott Hahn, The Mass of the Early Christians, by Mike Aquilina, God is Near Us, by Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI), The How-to Book: Everything You Need to Know but No One Ever Taught You, by Michael Dubruiel.

2.  Prayerfully reflect on the readings of the Mass that you will be attending.  (Click here for the Mass readings:  Sunday and Daily Readings) See the front page of our web site for preparing for Sunday Mass.

3.  Go to Confession as part of your preparation for Mass.  (Those conscious of a mortal sin should go to Confession prior to receiving Holy Communion).

4.  Prayers of preparation before Mass.  (Click here).

5.  Offer the Eucharist that you will receive for a specific intention.

6.  Consider the sacrifices that you have made during the past week and bring them spiritually with you to be laid at the foot of the altar.

7. Fast and abstain from food and drink (except water and medicine) for one hour before receiving Holy Communion.

8. Go to the Sacrament of Penance prior to receiving Holy Communion if in mortal sin. Frequent reception of this Sacrament is recommended even if not in mortal sin.

During Mass

1.  Participate actively by singing ("He who sings, prays twice," St. Augustine) and attentive listening to the prayers, readings, and homily.  Respond vocally to the parts of Mass designated for the people.

2.  During the Liturgy of the Word resolve to carry away with you, for further reflection, at least one verse or thought from the readings and the homily.

3.  Allow God to speak to you during the Mass and seek to make a mission of something that has been suggested to you by Jesus.

Post-Mass

2. Use the prayers from the Mass for your everyday life: (example: greeting others with “The Lord be with you,” instead of hello – the response of course from the person greeted would be, “and also with you.”