I can appreciate your feelings and sense of doubt at this time. For some, the newness of the Mass can seem overwhelming, particularly the Eucharist, not to mention the stand-sit-kneel rhythm (trying to be a little humorous here).
As a lifelong Catholic, I can assure you some of the emotions and feelings I have. For one, no matter where I am in the country or the world I can walk into any Catholic Church and feel at home. Truly. I am not joking. I feel welcomed, comforted, secure, at peace. Why? Because I know our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is in the Church, in the Tabernacle, in the Real Presence. How comforting is that? Also, no matter where you are in the country or world, even if you are across town, you may attend any Catholic Mass and Mass is the same. Think about that. The Masses in France, Colombia, and Uganda are the same as the Mass at your home parish. The first and second readings, the responsorial Psalm, the Gospel, are all the same. Read St. Justin Martyr (see below) and you will realize the Mass is not a new phenomenon. It dates to the Apostles.
Another aspect, Mass is offered daily throughout parishes. Maybe it is Tuesday and you are having a difficult time. Perhaps during lunch or at the end of the day you find a Catholic Church offering Mass. And if you go to that Mass it is the same Mass as other parishes are having throughout the country and world with the same readings. Catholic in Greek means “universal” and you are part of the universal church with all of us who pray for you and for all.
Please be comforted in Mass and at any and all Catholic Churches that not only are you at home, but that you are never alone. Your are surrounded by the icons of St. Mary, St. Joseph, the Patron Saint of the Parish, the Stations of the Cross, the stained glass windows, and, most importantly the Real Presence of Christ.
May God Bless You.
Jim
St. Justin Martyr – The First Apology of Justin - Chapter LXVI – Of the Eucharist – “And this food is called among us Eukaristia [the Eucharist], of which no one is allowed to partake but the man who believes that the things which we teach are true, and who has been washed with the washing that is for the remission of sins, and unto regeneration, and who is so living as Christ has enjoined. For not as common bread and common drink do we receive these; but in like manner as Jesus Christ our Saviour, having been made flesh by the Word of God, had both flesh and blood for our salvation, so likewise have we been taught that the food which is blessed by the prayer of His word, and from which our blood and flesh by transmutation are nourished, is the flesh and blood of that Jesus who was made flesh. For the apostles, in the memoirs composed by them, which are called Gospels, have thus delivered unto us what was enjoined upon them; that Jesus took bread, and when He had given thanks, said, “This do ye in remembrance of Me, this is My body;” and that, after the same manner, having taken the cup and given thanks, He said, “This is My blood;” and gave it to them alone. Which the wicked devils have imitated in the mysteries of Mithras, commanding the same thing to be done. For, that bread and a cup of water are placed with certain incantations in the mystic rites of one who is being initiated, you either know or can learn.”
St. Justin Martyr – The First Apology of Justin - Chapter LXVII – Weekly Worship of the Christians – “…And on the day called Sunday, all who live in cities or in the country gather together to one place, and the memoirs of the apostles or the writings of the prophets are read, as long as time permits; then, when the reader has ceased, the president verbally instructs, and exhorts to the imitation of these good things. Then we all rise together and pray, and, as we before said, when our prayer is ended, bread and wine and water are brought, and the president in like manner offers prayers and thanksgivings, according to his ability, and the people assent, saying Amen; and there is a distribution to each, and a participation of that over which thanks have been given, and to those who are absent a portion is sent by the deacons. …But Sunday is the day on which we all hold our common assembly, because it is the first day on which God, having wrought a change in the darkness and matter, made the world; and Jesus Christ our Saviour on the same day rose from the dead. For He was crucified on the day before that of Saturn (Saturday); and on the day after that of Saturn, which is the day of the Sun, having appeared to His apostles and disciples, He taught them these things, which we have submitted to you also for your consideration.”
These are available at:
earlychristianwritings.com/
)) may our Blessed Mother help me. O’ Mary conceived without sin pray for us who have recourse to thee! Most sorrowful Mother pray for me.