H. YOU MUST ASSIST AT MASS EVERY SUNDAY AND HOLY DAY
At the end of the instructions if you have been missing Mass, the priest will ask you to wait two or three months before he will let you join the Catholic Church. Your attendance at Mass is a minimum requirement for Baptism. It is one of the more easy obligations you assume in becoming a Catholic. It is also necessary to assist at Mass on the six Holydays of the year. These will be announced to you at your parish church during the year.
I. DAILY MASS
The parish priest usually says Mass every day of the year. Many good Catholics go to Mass daily, but there is no obligation to do so; however, it is the most perfect way to begin your day if you can attend. At least, receive Holy Communion whenever you go to Mass.
J. MASS FOR THE DEAD
Mass is also offered for the dead. Have Masses said for your dead friends and family members. It is a custom among Catholics to bring spiritual bouquets to the wake of a dead friend or relative. The spiritual bouquet is a card filled out by your parish priest stating that Mass will be said for the deceased person at your request.
K. THE OFFERING OF MONEY FOR THE CELEBRATION OF MASS
Why is money offered for the celebration of Mass? This is one of the ways of supporting the priest. The Bible approves of the priest obtaining support in this way. "Know you not that they who work in the holy place eat the things that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar partake with the altar? So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel should live by the gospel." (I Corinthians 9:13-14)
QUESTIONS FOR REVIEW OF THIS LESSON
I. What is Mass?
2. What is a sacrifice?
3. Who offered the first Mass?
4. Where did your pastor get this power?
HOW THE SAINTS ASSISTED AT HOLY MASS
Though he was the Chancellor of England and had many duties for which he was responsible, St. Thomas More made it a point to attend Mass each day. One day while at Mass a message was brought to him that the king required his presence immediately. "A little patience," replied the saint, "I have not yet completed my homage to a higher Sovereign, and I must await the end of this Divine audience."
St. Louis, King of France, assisted at two, sometimes three Masses each day. Some of his courtiers complained about the amount of time he spent in church. They thought that he should devote more time to the affairs of state rather than being engaged in prayer. To them he replied, "See how far the care of these men goes! I am sure that if I devoted to recreational pleasures or to some other frivolous amusements the time I spend at Mass, I would not hear the slightest word of blame from them."
