The Mass of the Saints
The saints. This is a topic that has always mesmerized me. It's so amazing how these people can love God so much that they're willing to abandon everything -all worldly riches- just for Him, just like true love.
Having learned from a Catholic school, I know a lot of saints. One common thing about them is their love for the Holy Mass. The saints never forget to reiterate to their subordinates to always attend the Eucharist and visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. St. Mary Mazzarello, St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, Blessed Laura Vicuna, St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis of Assisi, and all the saints... they spent most of their time in contemplative prayer and in the Holy Mass whenever possible.
The most familiar story to me was about St. Mary Mazzarello. At a young age, she already exhibited outstanding love for God. She lived in a Mornese, a town in Italy. She was a pious woman and she always attended the Holy Mass. It would take about an hour's walk to get to the nearest church. It was a hard terrain to trek. Even in the biting cold of winter, St. Mary remained headstrong in her quest to go to the morning Mass. Nothing could stop her! And if she arrived early and the church door was closed, St. Mary would kneel down by the door and pray, whether the ground be covered in mud or ice. She was very determined.
When I was in school, I wondered why the saints like to attend the Holy Mass. They were even excited to go. For me, at that time, the Holy Mass was something done out of responsibility because I am Catholic. I had faith, yes. But I expected something more than what it offered... to see more, to understand more, to feel more.
As I grew up in life, I noticed how it became rare to find a Holy Mass that is 'holy' in all sense of the word. There were more drama, clapping, and 'announcements'. Really, I hate those 'announcements'. I started to get discouraged in attending the Mass. But I still went because it's my responsibility. The saints were zealous. Now, why wasn't I like that? Maybe they had that kind of determination to go to church because there were born to be a saint, I thought.
Then I found myself praying to God to grant me a Holy Mass where the ritual is really about Him, about prayer, and where the priest is good in giving homilies. I explored churches to find the best priests who can perform the best ritual. I found okay ones where you can say "this will do".
But I didn't find the best of the best at will. It just came to me, like an answered prayer. God gave me the Tridentine Mass, the best and the most beautiful!
After attending TLM consecutively, I find myself slowly getting excited in going to the church. It feels weird, you know. I never felt this before. I mean, me looking forward for Sunday? Other than it's my day-off, it didn't happen... until TLM.
This is the Mass of the saints. I wonder how the Latin Mass looked like back then. How the saints saw it... where the Tabernacle was at the center, where the vestments were all well-made, where the altar emanates a prayerful atmosphere. How lucky the saints were! No wonder they looked forward to go to the church, that no muddy or snowy terrain can hamper! Their Holy Mass was such a beauty to behold!
Now, I understand why the saints were zealous and determined. They saw beauty in the Lord. They wanted more of the Holy Eucharist because it was the source of their strength to continue their mission. It deepened their love for Jesus Christ. They weren't just born to be a saint, they had help from the Lord.
When you know the Tridentine Mass, you will come to understand the fervor of the saints. So much so that you feel it yourself. Will you be a saint, too?
Having learned from a Catholic school, I know a lot of saints. One common thing about them is their love for the Holy Mass. The saints never forget to reiterate to their subordinates to always attend the Eucharist and visit Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament. St. Mary Mazzarello, St. John Bosco, St. Dominic Savio, Blessed Laura Vicuna, St. Francis de Sales, St. Francis of Assisi, and all the saints... they spent most of their time in contemplative prayer and in the Holy Mass whenever possible.
The most familiar story to me was about St. Mary Mazzarello. At a young age, she already exhibited outstanding love for God. She lived in a Mornese, a town in Italy. She was a pious woman and she always attended the Holy Mass. It would take about an hour's walk to get to the nearest church. It was a hard terrain to trek. Even in the biting cold of winter, St. Mary remained headstrong in her quest to go to the morning Mass. Nothing could stop her! And if she arrived early and the church door was closed, St. Mary would kneel down by the door and pray, whether the ground be covered in mud or ice. She was very determined.
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| St. Mary Mazzarello and St. John Bosco, the saints most familiar to me |
When I was in school, I wondered why the saints like to attend the Holy Mass. They were even excited to go. For me, at that time, the Holy Mass was something done out of responsibility because I am Catholic. I had faith, yes. But I expected something more than what it offered... to see more, to understand more, to feel more.
As I grew up in life, I noticed how it became rare to find a Holy Mass that is 'holy' in all sense of the word. There were more drama, clapping, and 'announcements'. Really, I hate those 'announcements'. I started to get discouraged in attending the Mass. But I still went because it's my responsibility. The saints were zealous. Now, why wasn't I like that? Maybe they had that kind of determination to go to church because there were born to be a saint, I thought.
Then I found myself praying to God to grant me a Holy Mass where the ritual is really about Him, about prayer, and where the priest is good in giving homilies. I explored churches to find the best priests who can perform the best ritual. I found okay ones where you can say "this will do".
But I didn't find the best of the best at will. It just came to me, like an answered prayer. God gave me the Tridentine Mass, the best and the most beautiful!
 |
| The Tridentine Mass, the best and the most beautiful! |
This is the Mass of the saints. I wonder how the Latin Mass looked like back then. How the saints saw it... where the Tabernacle was at the center, where the vestments were all well-made, where the altar emanates a prayerful atmosphere. How lucky the saints were! No wonder they looked forward to go to the church, that no muddy or snowy terrain can hamper! Their Holy Mass was such a beauty to behold!
 |
| The Holy Mass of the Saints. Photo source |
Now, I understand why the saints were zealous and determined. They saw beauty in the Lord. They wanted more of the Holy Eucharist because it was the source of their strength to continue their mission. It deepened their love for Jesus Christ. They weren't just born to be a saint, they had help from the Lord.
When you know the Tridentine Mass, you will come to understand the fervor of the saints. So much so that you feel it yourself. Will you be a saint, too?
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