Daily Mass?

[thunderboom]

Hey guys! No idea if this is where to post this, but yeah…

So, I’m entering the seminary this fall, after I finish my undergrad degree. I’m so excited! Trouble is, though, my prayer life is a little lame right now. I’m trying to pray every day, read Scripture, the whole thing. But I haven’t been going to daily Mass, mostly because I’m a night person (I work fairly late, stay up late, sleep late, etc.). I feel like I should be going, not least because I love the Blessed Sacrament, but it’s kind of a struggle for me to get up in the mornings and such. I guess I’m just not that disciplined.

I’m wondering if people have tips on how I might approach this. Maybe I don’t need to really worry about it until I’m actually in the seminary, and just get to daily Mass when I can (which isn’t very often)? Or should I be trying harder? I know it seems minor, but I’d like some advice if y’all have the time.

 

[DexUK]

Don’t worry about it. If you’re a late worker, it’s unreasonable to ‘burn the candle at both ends’ to struggle to get to a morning Mass as well. You’ve already been accepted for Seminary training (congratulations by the way!) so clearly your diocese hasn’t thought any the worse of you for not having a track record of daily attendance. You meet your obligations and that’s the important part. If you pushed yourself unreasonably hard, you might start to find that you resented it, and that might take the gloss off the anticipation of going to the Seminary. Don’t risk that!

When you get to Seminary you will find that your routine changes to that of the Seminary’s daily activities which will happen at set times. Mass will become part of the daily habit, as will the Daily Office (morning prayer, evening prayer, night prayer etc). Nobody expects you to know everything or have already experienced everything before you start your studies.

For now, enjoy the anticipation and by all means go whenever it’s reasonable to do so, and soak up the graces that God is giving you in the process, but don’t overstretch yourself by doing so. You will have plenty of time for Mass, Adoration and other liturgies at Seminary, and after that you’ll have a lifetime of daily Mass where you’re the one celebrating it. I can’t think of anything better!

Good luck and God bless

 

[Pug]

Have you considered trying to find a local place with a holy hour? Those are often in the evening, so might be much more helpful to your schedule.

My opinion (not worth much) is that if you need to cut into your sleep pattern to make daily mass, then don’t go to daily mass. I need to be a safe driver and competent at work more than I need daily mass.

That said, I have found that with discipline I can change my sleeping schedule. I have not been able to do it when under too many outside factors, like if I work until 11 pm, or if my husband insists on keeping me up (no longer much of a problem). Change what you can and accept the rest.

To change sleeping patterns, I **must **establish a bedtime routine and stick with it slavishly, or else my body reverts. I must not exercise close to the desired bedtime. I must not do anything interesting near bedtime, like read a novel, play a game, watch a favorite tv show. I must not eat close to bedtime. I must not nap during the day. I must force myself to get up at or near the desired wakeup time. I must not drink too much caffeine. Compline (night prayer, LOTH) is a helpful part of bedtime routine.

Good luck!

 

[Auntie_A]

I have had problems with daily mass attendance in the morning for similar reasons as you.

But I noticed there is a noon mass in the next town that I can go to and a special 5:30 mass at another church one day a week. There is also a Eucharistic Adoration chapel that is 24 hours. I was told that Eucharistic Adoration is the next best thing to Communion but it also is a very quiet devotion that I look forward to. And at my church there is a little prayer chapel which is open all day. And rosary groups! So I try to get out to whatever I CAN get to.

My monk friend said, “pray as you CAN”.

On the other hand, an elderly friend just drove through a storm recently to get to mass. She did not want “alternatives”; she wanted MASS. She is of that generation of discipline and duty and I am ashamed at times of my complacency and laziness.

The Eucharist is so essential to our faith and daily mass has always been the best way to deepen one’s faith. But if we CAN’T make it, then I think we might also find our own devotions that will bring us closer to the Lord.

Praying for you.

 

[thunderboom]

Thank you so much, guys. Your words and recommendations are very helpful, and they’ll help me get through the next few months, I think. Thanks again! I really appreciate it.

 

[houston1]

Hey guys! No idea if this is where to post this, but yeah…

So, I’m entering the seminary this fall, after I finish my undergrad degree. I’m so excited! Trouble is, though, my prayer life is a little lame right now. I’m trying to pray every day, read Scripture, the whole thing. But I haven’t been going to daily Mass, mostly because I’m a night person (I work fairly late, stay up late, sleep late, etc.). I feel like I should be going, not least because I love the Blessed Sacrament, but it’s kind of a struggle for me to get up in the mornings and such. I guess I’m just not that disciplined.

I’m wondering if people have tips on how I might approach this. Maybe I don’t need to really worry about it until I’m actually in the seminary, and just get to daily Mass when I can (which isn’t very often)? Or should I be trying harder? I know it seems minor, but I’d like some advice if y’all have the time.

First of all, thank you for offering yourself to our Church to become a priest. I am layperson, married and a mother of a 7 year old boy. I attend daily Mass, receive the Eucharist daily, and go to confession weekly. The following is my opinion and you are, of course, not bound to what I recommend.

I strongly urge you to reorder your life so that you may receive the Eucharist daily. I started daily reception of the Eucharist in Apr 2012 and, I will tell you, I have been forever changed. This and weekly confession have given me the discernment and strength to overcome sin including certain hard to break venial sins and have opened my eyes to see things more in the way that God sees them. I love God and others more because of the grace God has given me through these sacraments.

We all have challenges in ordering our lives to frequent the sacraments. However, God will help you open up doors to allow you to do this if this is your desire. Some parishes have evening Masses and Masses at noon. Also, you could also consider getting up for Mass and then taking a nap when you get home. I, too, used to be an night owl and could spend a whole day sleeping. I totally relate to your concern about your time.

Lastly, God is never outdone with generosity. He may even make you a saint, and isn’t that what we all aspire to?

I will remember you in my prayers and Mass intentions.

houston1