Why do you go to Mass?

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FrStevenJones

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Some people go because the Church requires it every weekend, some go because they find peace there, some go primarily to receive Holy Communion, etc.

What is your reason for going? This curious priest would like to know!
 
To be honest, at the parish I am at, I go because it is an obligation. I would choose to go elsewhere if I could, but I cannot. I do not get any spiritual “satisfaction” at the parish I am. I do my best to stay focused and to unite myself with the priest.

I constantly remind myself that the Mass is the representation of the sacrifice offered on Calvary and, more often than not, that is what being at Mass in my parish is like. It is very hard for me.
 
Lormar said:
To be honest, at the parish I am at, I go because it is an obligation. I would choose to go elsewhere if I could, but I cannot. I do not get any spiritual “satisfaction” at the parish I am. I do my best to stay focused and to unite myself with the priest.

I constantly remind myself that the Mass is the representation of the sacrifice offered on Calvary and, more often than not, that is what being at Mass in my parish is like. It is very hard for me.
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That’s good spiritual work you’re doing. The Lord knows!
 
I wanted to add that even though my parish may not be to my liking, I am still aware of getting the graces of which I am in desperate need.

So, in the end, it doesn’t matter how I feel - it is still meritorious to be there.
 
Lormar said:
I wanted to add that even though my parish may not be to my liking, I am still aware of getting the graces of which I am in desperate need.

So, in the end, it doesn’t matter how I feel - it is still meritorious to be there.
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Wow, Catholic liturgical theology, in action!
 
I go to Mass for various reasons. One, of course, is to receive Holy Communion. Another is because I have to. Another is because I want to experience silence.

When I am able, I attend at other parishes because I like a more solemn liturgy.
 
Yes, I go to Mass on Sunday because it is an obligation.

I also go because it is a habit I have had for most of my life.

Mostly, I go because I love it - and I would go at least weekly even if it was not an obligation. The Mass is the focal point of my life. It helps me to get back to what is important at the end of a long week and it helps me to focus on the week to come so I can get through it.

I also go to be fed spiritually, in the word of God and in the Holy Eucharist. I would truly miss it if I did not have it.

God bless,
Regi
 
It’s useful for me to hear the reasons, even though I could guess some of them, I like to hear it from your “mouth” (keyboard!)… you are helping me to prepare to preach this weekend!
 
Some weeks, I go because I am obligated. :o

Some weeks, I go because I need to receive Jesus. 😦

Some weeks, I go because everything in life is wonderful I just have to thank God. 👍

This week it will because I am obligated. (Unless my Lupus symptoms get worse, then I won’t go, because I won’t be able.)
 
FrStevenJones said:
Some people go because the Church requires it every weekend, some go because they find peace there, some go primarily to receive Holy Communion, etc.

What is your reason for going? This curious priest would like to know!
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I go for the reasons you listed…obligation, peace, to just ‘be’ and not have to be ‘doing’, to receive Holy Communion, as well as to be a good example for my children and instill good habits in them. Also, most weeks, I beg :gopray2: for the strength and wisdom I need to persevere…I’m a homeschooler of pre-teens and a highschooler! :eek: and I tutor two additional children with Down syndrome :whacky:😉 (that’s me that’s whacky…not the kids!)
 
Right now, I go for communion and out of obligation. I have a 3 year old and a 1 year old and the one year old cannot sit in the pew without making a spectacle of himself. There is no “cry room” so I spend the whole mass just walking around with him in the back, trying to hear bits and pieces of what is going on. I almost cried last week because I am going through a real spiritual dry spell where I feel like I’m just going through the motions of mass, confession, etc. and I REALLY felt like I needed that peaceful, prayerful hour that day and he was just going crazy. 😦 It made me feel awful because I spent the whole mass being so ANGRY at him practically to the point of tears, and I felt so awful that I was actually feeling the opposite emotion you are supposed to feel at mass. And then I feel a little guilty even taking communion because I am in such a lousy state of mind to do so and because I can’t even pray during mass to prepare myself. But I need all the grace I can get so I receive it anyway and do the best I can.
 
I really enjoy Mass, and without it my life would be a lot spiritually dryer. The connection with God and being in the presence of the Eucharist, much less receiving Him, is great.

But I am not a morning person. Despite the fact that it is very spiritually enriching to go to Mass, if it wasn’t obligatory, I probably wouldn’t go every week. It’s a problem I found I had when I was away from the Church, and a reason I am very glad for the rule that says you have to go.

Also I go because I love to sing, and living in an apartment, it’s the only time I get to sing full voice without having to watch for traffic lights. 😃

–Jen
 
As for me, I go to Mass to worship God, in communion with His Church, as passed down from the Apostles and Church Fathers from ancient time. I go to participate in the Mass that Justin, Ignatius, Clement, Polycarp, Barnabas, Mathetes, Ireneaus, Origen, and the Apostles participated in while they were living. The Church of Augustine and Jerome, the Church of John Chrysostom. In the faith of our fathers.

If I omit any it is only through lack of space and lack of time.

I do not look on it as an obligation (though it is), but as a happy privilege, and a real gift.

True worship as passed down through Holy Tradition, as spoken of by the earliest writings of the Saints. The Eucharist. The very body and blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God.

I am so glad that there are those like you that are called to the priesthood.
 
It just wouldn’t feel like Sunday without Mass. 🙂 I say that partly in jest but after 50 years (some years more consistent than others), it is just part of the rythym of the week. On the few times when I have needed to go to Sunday Mass on Saturday night, Sunday just feels “off”.

That’s not to say that I don’t recognize all the other benefits including the grace, the fellowship and the example for my kids. Those are all reasons why Mass is important to me. But the reason why is above.
 
Michael57 said:
True worship as passed down through Holy Tradition, as spoken of by the earliest writings of the Saints. The Eucharist. The very body and blood of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Son of God.
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This! There is NOTHING like it. 😃 If you ever had to live without it you would know what I mean!
 
I love going to Mass to receive Holy Communion and listen to the Readings and Gospels.
I am in love with the Word of God and feel blessed that I am able to hear it proclaimed
even at Daily Mass here.

I am also a big fan of homilies and listen intently for I feel I get to know the priest somehow by this.
 
I go out of duty - it’s the right thing to do. I missed Mass pretty often when I first became Catholic because I still had the Protestant mindset that it didn’t matter. Later, when Peter’s words in John 6:68 (Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life.) became more real for me, I never missed Mass again unless I was too ill or the kids were.

For some reason, I don’t get the emotional high from receiving Communion that others talk about, but I no longer run my life based on my feelings. They are totally unreliable!
 
For some reason, I don’t get the emotional high from receiving Communion that others talk about, but I no longer run my life based on my feelings. They are totally unreliable!
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Bonnie, I am glad I am not alone. 🙂
 
I go to receive Christ, as well as the peace I gain from the Mass itself. Frankly, I would live at Mass if I could, it’s the only place I truly feel at peace in this world.
 
Hmgbrd said:
This! There is NOTHING like it. 😃 If you ever had to live without it you would know what I mean!
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I “lived” without it for many years, decades. I was in a desert, lost.

Now I cannot live without it. True Life! 👍

Thanks be to God.
 
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