From: http://www.taylormarshall.com
by Taylor Marshall
Saint Gertrude the Great once reported that for each and every Mass that we hear with devotion during our lives, Christ sends a saint to comfort us in death. I was deeply moved the first time I read this.
Intellectually, I know that great value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass – it is the solemn re-presentation of our Lord Jesus Christ to the Father in atonement for our sins and those of the whole world. It’s the source and summit of the Christian life. However, it is often difficult to remember this amazing truth in the midst of our common distractions during Holy Mass.
Saint Thomas Aquinas taught that with the Holy Eucharist, the five senses fail. Only faith can lift the veil and perceive the reality of Christ’s presence and sacrifice.
I recently came across 10 quotes from the saints about the importance of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
These quotes remind me of the hidden mystery of the Holy Mass. I plan to review them before Mass during Lent. I’d encourage you to do the same if you also struggle with distractions. I may print them out on a card and put them in my missal:
- When the Eucharist is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the divine victim immolated on the altar. ~ St. John Chrysostom The angels surround and help the priest when he is celebrating Mass. ~ St. Augustine
- If we really understood the Mass, we would die of joy. ~ Saint Jean Vianney
- The celebration of Holy Mass is as valuable as the death of Jesus on the cross. ~ Saint Thomas Aquinas
- Once, St. Teresa was overwhelmed with God’s Goodness and asked Our Lord “How can I thank you?” Our Lord replied, “ATTEND ONE MASS.”
- “My Son so loves those who assist at the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass that, if it were necessary He would die for them as many times as they’ve heard Masses.” Our Lady to Blessed Alan.
- When we receive Holy Communion, we experience something extraordinary – a joy, a fragrance, a well-being that thrills the whole body and causes it to exalt. ~ Saint Jean Vianney
- There is nothing so great as the Eucharist. If God had something more precious, He would have given it to us. ~ Saint Jean Vianney
- When we have been to Holy Communion, the balm of love envelops the soul as the flower envelops the bee. ~ Saint Jean Vianney
- It would be easier for the world to survive without the sun than to do without Holy Mass. ~ St. Pio of Pietrelcina
That last quote from Saint Pio is profound. The entire cosmos is sustained by the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass…
Question: How ro we restore a sense of the awe and sanctity to the liturgy? How do we remind ourselves and our brothers and sisters in Christ that the sanctuary is “filled with countless angels” during the consecration? It’s an inspiring reality.
Catholicism Pure & Simple 
…This earth is a bow which shot me…pick me up like something precious you dropped- john of the cross…i suppose at mass if we manage to recollect our scattered intellect we realize God is attempting to pick up all the precious things he once let fall from his hands..in the dust of humility…we see our merit.. 🙂
LikeLike
“God is attempting to pick up all the precious things he once let fall from his hands..in the dust of humility..”
You make God seem, in this case at least, somewhat lax and careless, a trifle maladroit, and certainly not omnipotent, John. More like Toad every day, in fact.
Still, who knows?
LikeLike
….THIS EARTH A BOW
You let
my sufferings cease,
for there was no one who could cure them.
Now let my eyes behold your face for you are our only love.
My spirit’s body is rising near – this earth a bow
that shot me;
now lift me into your arms as something precious
that you dropped.
My only suffering, from this day forth,
will be your divine
beauty,
and you will constantly cure my blessed sight each time
you bring your face so near to mine
and call me
bride.
Do not be sad, my old friends; look,
these wings are finally stretched and laughing.
Our souls are rising near to you – this earth a bow that shot us;
now lift me into your arms, dear God,
like something precious that
you dropped.- john of the cross
…The bow is sin…the choice is ours..the grace are his arms..he does not drop us per se…the poet is trying to relate the immediacy and joy of having reclaimed something which he let go as a parent who leaves their children to make choices and gain wisdom not by his fault but by our choice…take it as u see it..the words contain a very deep message…God lets us fall from his hands so we can realize how precious we are…now in humility we know what we are self discovery love in action…God drops things not because he is negligent but because we need to understand separation loss and renewal…self discovery love in action
LikeLike
It’s true that after holy mass, there is immense peace that feels the soul.
LikeLike
I am presuming Dr Taylor Marshall is referring to Spiritual Intellect? Otherwise would Jesus have said that the harlots and the tax collectors were going ahead of them into the kingdom of God? Harlots are not usually associated with worldly or academic Intellect. It does not take academic Intellect to know the value of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.
LikeLike
I was read an essay by a woman who decided to wear her mantilla again at Mass. At first she was self conscious, but then she felt the rest of the world was shut out, so she could focus exclusively on the Mass. Thereafter, she continues to wear her veil, & some other women in her church have done the same. After reading this post, I , too, will start veiling again, regardless if people think its old-fashioned
LikeLike
Fagnani
You entry brings such delight and Joy on Our Lady’s Assumption. Thank you!!
LikeLike
Oh that IS SO WONDEROUS ABOUT OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST IN THE HOLY MASS THANKYOU !!!!!!! THAT IS THE DATE OF MY ANNIVERSARY TILL DEATH DUE US PART A HOLY SACRAMENT TOO AND STANDING FOR THE HEALED MARRIAGE AND FAMILY FOR US AS WELL AS ALL THE FAMILIES OF ALL NATIONS!!!!! SINCERELY THANYOU AND GOD OUR FATHER MANIFEST ALL HIS ANOINTED BLESSINGS TO YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES FRIENDS AND ALL!!!!!!!!!M.S.
LikeLike
If the priests would require silence in the church before, during and after mass, as used to be the case, one would not be so distracted. Now it is like going to a protestant service/social hour.
LikeLike