This week, after last week's article on the need to prepare well for Mass, let's look at some ways we can prepare for Mass.
Show up early. If you are able, showing up early is the best thing to do. Sometimes we have kids that dictate our schedule and that it is perfectly fine. If you have the ability, it is great to show up 10-15 minutes before Mass. This time before Mass is not a time to read the bulletin, but rather to talk to God.
Pray with the readings and prayers of the Mass. Before Mass begins, we want to prepare our hearts for the great mysteries which we are about to celebrate. A great way to do that is to pray with the readings and the prayers for the day. That way when we are hearing them at Mass, is it not the first time that we are hearing them. Everytime we come back to the readings and prayers, we pick up something new, it sinks in a deeper way, and we encounter Christ in a real way.
Be free from Mortal Sin. Before receiving the Eucharist, we must be free from sin, that is not having any mortal sin, on our souls. We are required to confess these before receiving communion as when we are in a state of Mortal Sin, we have cut ourselves off from Jesus. If we find ourselves in this state, it happens as we are human, it is important to restore our relationship with Jesus by having our sins absolved in the confessional. We should still attend Mass, yet not receive the Eucharist. You may still come forward for a blessing with your arms crossed.
Take some time in silence. Once we enter into the main body of the Church, we should strive to only talk with Jesus. Having a quiet atmosphere helps us prepare and hear Jesus’ voice. We see in scripture that the voice of God was not the loud clanging, but rather in the still small voice. Taking a moment in silence to speak to Jesus is a great way to prepare.
In the history and beautiful tradition of the Church, we have had many incredible prayers handed down to us. Praying one or several of these prayers before Mass is a great way to soak in the richness of what we are preparing to partake in. The Prayer of St. Ambrose is one of my favorites and I often pray it before celebrating Mass. Both of these can be found in the Missalettes in the pews.
-Fr. Andrew
Prayer of St. Ambrose
I draw near to the table of your most delectable banquet, dear Lord Jesus Christ. A sinner, I trust not in my own merit; but, in fear and trembling, I rely on your mercy and goodness. I have a heart and body marked by my grave offenses, and a mind and a tongue I have not guarded well. For this reason, God of loving kindness and awesome majesty, I, a sinner caught by many snares, seek safe refuge in you. For you are the fountain of mercy.
I would fear to draw near to you as my judge, but I seek you out as my Savior. Lord, I show you my wounds, and I let you see my shame. Knowing my sins are many and great, I have reason to fear. But I trust in your mercies, for they are beyond all numbering.
Look upon me with mercy, for I trust in you, my Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God and man, you who were crucified for mankind. Have mercy upon me, you who never cease to make the fountain of your mercy flow, for I am full of sorrows and sins.
I praise you, the saving Victim offered on the wood of the cross for me and for all mankind. I praise the noble Blood that flows from the wounds of my Lord Jesus Christ, the precious Blood that washes away the sins of all the world.
Remember, Lord, your creature, whom you have redeemed with your own Blood. I am sorry that I have sinned, and I long to put right what I have done. Most kind Father, take away all my offenses and sins, so that, purified in body and soul, I may be made worthy to taste the Holy of holies.
And grant that this holy meal of your Body and Blood, which I intend to take, although I am unworthy, may bring forgiveness of my sins and wash away my guilt. May it mean the end of my evil thoughts and the rebirth of my better longings. May it lead me securely to live in ways that please you, and may it be a strong protection for body and soul, against the plots of my enemies. Amen.
Prayer of St. Thomas Aquinas
Almighty and ever-living God, I draw near to the sacrament of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ.
I come sick to the physician of life, unclean to the fountain of mercy, blind to the light of eternal brightness, poor and needy to the Lord of heaven and earth.
So I ask you, most generous Lord: graciously heal my infirmity, wash me clean, illumine my blindness, enrich my poverty, and clothe my nakedness.
May I receive the Bread of angels, the King of kings, and Lord of lords, with such reverence and humility, such contrition and devotion, such purity and faith, and such resolve and determination as may secure my soul's salvation. Grant as I may receive not only the visible sign of the Lord's Body and Blood, but also all the reality and the power of the sacrament.
Grant most kind God, that I may receive the Body of your only-begotten Son, our Lord Jesus Christ, which he received from the Virgin Mary, and may receive it in such a way that I become a loving part of his Mystical Body and counted among his members.
O most loving Father, grant me your beloved Son.
While on this earthly pilgrimage, I receive him under the veil of this sacrament; so may I come at last to see him face to face for all eternity. For he lives and reigns with you for ever and ever. Amen.