Why should we bother going to mass

[Jon_S_1]

I am a Catholic Candidate and I thought I had a good handle on what the church teaches, then I got on these forums and frankly am not so sure I want to be a Catholic anymore.

Now let me tell you coming from Protestantism, I was able to see the Church’s authority, papal authority, The importance of Tradition, Mary and the Saints, infant baptism, the Eucharist, Confession and I cleared those hurdles no problem.

I can see how it is all historical and biblical, and the revealed truth of God.

I thought I had cleared all my stumbling blocks to becoming Catholic until I got on these forums.

It was my understanding that in order to be saved and go to purgatory/heaven, one need to have a heart for Christ, be Baptized and in a state of sanctifying Grace at death. We must have faith in God, and this true saving faith is manifested in our deeds (James 2). We must follow the 2 greatest commandments (1 Love God and 2 Love your neighbor).

Unfortunately, after being on this forum, I have come into discussion with Catholic after Catholic, who not only disagree, but vehemently oppose this position.

Most of them completely ignore the first commandment, saying “All you need is Love of neighbor” saying that in Matt 25, everyone is judged by their works. (which I agree with, but the Sheep called Jesus Lord, so isn’t that a prerequisite to being a sheep).

Others say, that all roads lead to heaven and atheists, buddhist, hindu’s, etc… are all saved. Saying “I believe that salvation is for everyone regardless of their beliefs”. When this individual was pressed, they said “well of course not child abusers and people who commit genocide and other heinous acts”

So before I decide that maybe all roads do lead to the top of the mountain and I may as well sit and watch all of you struggle to the top, wait for death and take the elevator past you all, because your long struggles are for not according to all these catholics on here,

Can someone please clear up what the Church teaches here on this issue.

Also, if you answer with all religions are equal and Catholicism is just another one of them, I ask why do we evangelize, and do missions and partake in the sacraments.

Thanks!

 

[newthoughts]

A few things to keep in mind:
-Humans are fallible
-Not everyone practices what they preach
-Not everyone on these forums is actually Catholic (even in the case that they profess they are).

I joined the Catholic Church recently after growing up in the Protestant church. I have not subtracted from my faith but added to it. The beauty of authority and the Catholic teaching is that it is not subject to individual interpretation that alters what the Church outlines, though Christ does come to individuals too.

The Catholic Church is not the way to heaven. And before anyone thinks I’m being heretical let me continue. Jesus Christ is the way to heaven. The Catholic Church is His Church on earth. So, we may not judge others and speak about the method of their salvation. HOWEVER, if you truly believe the Catholic Church’s truth (which it sounds like you do), why wouldn’t you want to be in full communion with the Church?!!! We are all accountable for what we know, and we are all responsible for loving Jesus Christ with all of our heart, mind, and strength. It is possible that ‘catholics’ appear Catholic in action and sacrament but keep their hearts far from the Lord. Only God knows the state of their soul. But if you are a catholic who pursues the Lord, the Catholic Church is the most powerful and essential tool in your toolbelt. The sacraments are God’s grace to us and Jesus is really present to meet with us in the Eucharist.

Salvation is in the hands of the Lord. But we are all accountable for our knowledge. Don’t let the ill witness of fallible humans sway you from God’s truth. Think about how few Christians there would be apart from God’s grace—according to society’s norms we don’t necessarily protrude ‘kindness’ (think about the fact that we cannot support gay marriage or abortion) that attracts secular culture (thank God!). People are not attracted salvation by religion, but by Christ. Pursue truth, love God, pray lots, and (if I might be so bold) pursue the Catholic Church. God Bless.

 

[IrishRush]

I think the bottom line for you should be this…
You are joining the Church because of God, not because of the other members of the Church.
Do what you know to be right. Pay attention to what you are taught of the Faith and do your best to live that.
God bless you and keep you in your journey to Him.

 

[McCall1981]

I posted this in the other thread, but it bears repeating here.

From the Catholic encyclopedia:

newadvent.org/cathen/01599a.htm

From the article on Apokatastasis, (universal salvation)

“In any case, the doctrine (apokatastasis) was formally condemned in the first of the famous anathemas pronounced at the Council of Constantinople in 543: Ei tis ten teratode apokatastasis presbeuei anathema esto [See, also, Justinian, Liber adversus Originem, anathemas 7 and 9.] The doctrine was thenceforth looked on as heterodox by the Church.”

The Church has never taught universal salvation, ever.

I ask why all the parables and mentions of the unsaved from the mouth of Christ Himself? Why is there 2000 years of Church teaching on the unsaved? Why have so many Saints talked of the unsaved and had visions of Hell populated with the damned? Why do the Marian apparitions almost all speak of the unsaved? Why has every Pope taught that not all are saved? Why do the doctors of the Church speak of the unsaved?

I ask anyone in here who believes in univeral salvation to supply one single mention of universal salvation from any Pope, any Church teaching, any Church document, any Biblical source, any Marian vision ever.

Universal salvation is not now, and never has been Church teaching. It is heresy, pure and simple, and I pray that no one is lead astray from the Church because of these discussions.

 

[Mark121359]

Jon S, Grab yourself a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church! There, my friend you will find the complete truth! In the meantime, go right here!
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Peace, Mark

 

[Jon_S_1]

Jon S, Grab yourself a copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church! There, my friend you will find the complete truth! In the meantime, go right here!
vatican.va/archive/ENG0015/_INDEX.HTM

Peace, Mark

Thank you!

I have one and its well highlighted, which was part of what was so troubling about my discussions in this board with many supposed Catholics who spoke in sharp contrast to the catechism.

 

[chimo]

I am a Catholic Candidate and I thought I had a good handle on what the church teaches, then I got on these forums and frankly am not so sure I want to be a Catholic anymore.

Now let me tell you coming from Protestantism, I was able to see the Church’s authority, papal authority, The importance of Tradition, Mary and the Saints, infant baptism, the Eucharist, Confession and I cleared those hurdles no problem.

I can see how it is all historical and biblical, and the revealed truth of God.

I thought I had cleared all my stumbling blocks to becoming Catholic until I got on these forums.

It was my understanding that in order to be saved and go to purgatory/heaven, one need to have a heart for Christ, be Baptized and in a state of sanctifying Grace at death. We must have faith in God, and this true saving faith is manifested in our deeds (James 2). We must follow the 2 greatest commandments (1 Love God and 2 Love your neighbor).

Unfortunately, after being on this forum, I have come into discussion with Catholic after Catholic, who not only disagree, but vehemently oppose this position.

Most of them completely ignore the first commandment, saying “All you need is Love of neighbor” saying that in Matt 25, everyone is judged by their works. (which I agree with, but the Sheep called Jesus Lord, so isn’t that a prerequisite to being a sheep).

Others say, that all roads lead to heaven and atheists, buddhist, hindu’s, etc… are all saved. Saying “I believe that salvation is for everyone regardless of their beliefs”. When this individual was pressed, they said “well of course not child abusers and people who commit genocide and other heinous acts”

So before I decide that maybe all roads do lead to the top of the mountain and I may as well sit and watch all of you struggle to the top, wait for death and take the elevator past you all, because your long struggles are for not according to all these catholics on here,

Can someone please clear up what the Church teaches here on this issue.

Also, if you answer with all religions are equal and Catholicism is just another one of them, I ask why do we evangelize, and do missions and partake in the sacraments.

Thanks!

The fact is that anyone being Catholic you have the potential to save much more than what is taught in other religions or even what is taught in other Churches. I wouldn’t think a very good Hindu will be able to let us say “save” more than what a Catholic or even an Orthodox have the potential to do. When you are a Catholic or Orthodox the possibilities of God’s truth is more opened to you than let us say even what Moslem or Protestantism can teach. The problem with the Orthodox and Catholic Churches is not the truth that is contained in them but how people can interpret that truth. It is much like the Pharisees of the days of Jesus. These guardians of the Jewish Faith had all the truth of the Old Testament but Jesus revealed to them they had interpreted most of it into a misguided affair. Jesus understood this because they the Pharisees could not even recognize Him even though the Old Testament had revealed Him to be the Messiah! Jesus gave the Old Testament its correct interpretation to the ultimate cost of His own life.

So the same problem occurs today. The people may be taught the fullness of the truth but many like the Pharisees and Sadducees of ancient Israel can be led into their own interpretation of what that truth is to be lived out. I would even say that unless these same people can be seen to see their errors to be shown to what they are, they need someone like a Pope, who seeing their errors personally, will be able to correct them. I am sure many people who are sincere within the Catholic Communion will be corrected by the Holy Father if he knew personally what they were doing or thinking. It was hard for Jesus to correct those in authority in His days so it must be even harder for Jesus to correct today’s authorities unless there can be someone who can show them where they need to change.

These problems well they coexist in both our Churches, both Catholic and Orthodox should not excuse us from discovering the Truth of God and to find this Truth as contained in His Son Jesus Christ and the life we can have with the Holy Spirit. God is need of saints who can correctly interpret His Truth. So even if there are many who can misinterpret this truth or are misguided by it, the Church will still have these saints who can help the rest of us to be guided back to a proper interpretation of the saving message of Jesus Christ. These saints God counts on, just as He did for His Son and His Son’s representatives on earth, the Apostles. God’s patience was able to make saints out of these apostles so even today our God counts on us despite what we see in the Church. Forget what others say and do but focus yourself mainly to become His saint and then we have permission from God to change those people. Continue on with your Catholic instruction and work with Jesus and the Holy Spirit to become one of those He can call His saints.

 

[jmcrae]

Unfortunately, after being on this forum, I have come into discussion with Catholic after Catholic, who not only disagree, but vehemently oppose this position.

There are lots of Protestants on these Forums, as well as lots of people who are not very well-catechized in their Catholic faith.

For serious answers to serious questions, speak in person with a priest or with a member of your RCIA team. These Forums are for discussions, and the participants might or might not know what they are talking about. Nobody here is expected to be an expert - it’s just a fun place to hang out and discuss things.

 

[Mark121359]

Thank you!

I have one and its well highlighted, which was part of what was so troubling about my discussions in this board with many supposed Catholics who spoke in sharp contrast to the catechism.

Jon, trust me, if they go against or contrast what that good book says, it’s in fact a lie! That book is all the truth you’ll need! Than, you can dig in to what the early Church Fathers, and the Saints have written. Here is a very trustworthy Catholic website loaded with information…
ewtn.com/

Peace, Mark

 

[1ke]

The Church does not teach any of that.

The fact that you have encountered people who believe those things should not surprise you. I have many nominally Christian friends, mostly old acquaintences I’ve become “Facebook friends” with, who post all kinds of Christian stuff on their FB page, go to church on Sundays (mostly non-denom), and yet are shacked up with their SO or on their 2nd or 3rd spouse.

So, those who profess to be something and fail to live up to it are not unique to Catholicism.

The Church does have authority. The Church does have the Truth. The Church does have the Sacraments. The Church is the sure norm. That will have to be enough for you, because only the Chuch is one, holy, catholic, and apostolic. Her members are all somewhere south of perfect.

 

[1ke]

Thank you!

I have one and its well highlighted, which was part of what was so troubling about my discussions in this board with many supposed Catholics who spoke in sharp contrast to the catechism.

You are on an anonymous message board on the internet. Did it never occur to you that there are people on this board professing to be Catholic who are not actually Catholic? They may have some other agenda.

 

[Pug]

The pews are not filled with people who understand the entirety of the faith. The people you were speaking with may not sit in pews on a regular basis. There are lots of variables here. Church teaching, though, is not one of them. Read the Catechism for a helpful presentation. If you want a slightly shorter presentation, you can try the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, readable here. Sometimes a more succinct presentation makes the highlights and beauty clearer for a moment.

I can only speculate, but perhaps you have encountered people who are trying to be faithful to this part of the CCC, and that didn’t come through well in your conversation:
**847 **This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

 

[Jon_S_1]

You are on an anonymous message board on the internet. Did it never occur to you that there are people on this board professing to be Catholic who are not actually Catholic? They may have some other agenda.

Thank you all for the advice and support!

I will focus on the Bible, Catechism and my trusted RCIA leaders!

Perhaps I was putting to much weight on the opinions of others on here. I was just really surprised at how many people with Catholic in their title seemed to oppose the church and its teachings. Across several threads it seemed 5 :1 regarding this issue. I kept asking them, what the point of mass and the sacraments were and they never responded to that, hence the opening of this thread.

Of course, as one poster put in another thread I was on, if their position was correct then there would be no need for the Sacraments, the Church, Evangelization, or even Christ himself.

God Bless everyone!

 

[Jon_S_1]

The pews are not filled with people who understand the entirety of the faith. The people you were speaking with may not sit in pews on a regular basis. There are lots of variables here. Church teaching, though, is not one of them. Read the Catechism for a helpful presentation. If you want a slightly shorter presentation, you can try the Compendium of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, readable here. Sometimes a more succinct presentation makes the highlights and beauty clearer for a moment.

I can only speculate, but perhaps you have encountered people who are trying to be faithful to this part of the CCC, and that didn’t come through well in your conversation:
**847 **This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:
Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.

Yes, between this and Pope Francis’s comments taken out of context,. that is what I was facing.

People seem to think that “no fault of their own” means everyone who is not Catholic.

They seem to miss 846 and 848
846 How are we to understand this affirmation, often repeated by the Church Fathers?335 Re-formulated positively, it means that all salvation comes from Christ the Head through the Church which is his Body:

Basing itself on Scripture and Tradition, the Council teaches that the Church, a pilgrim now on earth, is necessary for salvation: the one Christ is the mediator and the way of salvation; he is present to us in his body which is the Church. He himself explicitly asserted the necessity of faith and Baptism, and thereby affirmed at the same time the necessity of the Church which men enter through Baptism as through a door. Hence they could not be saved who, knowing that the Catholic Church was founded as necessary by God through Christ, would refuse either to enter it or to remain in it.336
847 This affirmation is not aimed at those who, through no fault of their own, do not know Christ and his Church:

Those who, through no fault of their own, do not know the Gospel of Christ or his Church, but who nevertheless seek God with a sincere heart, and, moved by grace, try in their actions to do his will as they know it through the dictates of their conscience - those too may achieve eternal salvation.337
848 "Although in ways known to himself God can lead those who, through no fault of their own, are ignorant of the Gospel, to that faith without which it is impossible to please him, the Church still has the obligation and also the sacred right to evangelize all men."338

 

[BlaineTog]

Others say, that all roads lead to heaven and atheists, buddhist, hindu’s, etc… are all saved. Saying “I believe that salvation is for everyone regardless of their beliefs”.

First of all, anyone who tells you they know who’s going to be saved and who isn’t is full of baloney. Unless someone’s been revealed as a Saint, their fate is known only to God.

Anyway, as to your question:

The Catholic Church teaches unequivocally that salvation comes ONLY through Jesus. The Catholic Church is the fullest revelation of Jesus that has yet been given to us, so it is important to evangelize since Catholics are able to see the road to Jesus most clearly.

However, God has reached out to his children in all times, places, and cultures. In virtually all religions of the world, some of God’s truth can be seen (though, again, never as much as Catholicism, and often riddled with terrible errors). For example, virtually all religions have a version of the Golden Rule.

Here, read the C.S. Lewis quote here. Lewis wasn’t a Catholic, but the sentiment proposed by Aslan there is pretty much spot-on to how Catholics view Jesus working through other religions: the religions themselves cannot save anyone, but Jesus can save whomever he wishes through whatever means he wishes.

Again, this doesn’t mean all roads lead to Jesus. It means Jesus can save someone lost but seeking him as they know best.

 

[steve_b]

I am a Catholic Candidate and I thought I had a good handle on what the church teaches, then I got on these forums and frankly am not so sure I want to be a Catholic anymore.

Now let me tell you coming from Protestantism, I was able to see the Church’s authority, papal authority, The importance of Tradition, Mary and the Saints, infant baptism, the Eucharist, Confession and I cleared those hurdles no problem.

I can see how it is all historical and biblical, and the revealed truth of God.

I thought I had cleared all my stumbling blocks to becoming Catholic until I got on these forums.

It was my understanding that in order to be saved and go to purgatory/heaven, one need to have a heart for Christ, be Baptized and in a state of** sanctifying Grace at death**. We must have faith in God, and this true saving faith is manifested in our deeds (James 2). We must follow the 2 greatest commandments (1 Love God and 2 Love your neighbor).

Jon,

1. 
   *]Just because someone calls themself “Catholic” doesn’t mean they know their faith well enought to give solid answers. Always ask for qualified references when someone gives an opinion that doesn’t sound right.
   *]sanctifying grace is lost with mortal sin. How do Protestants know they can regain sanctifying grace once they lose it?
   J:
   

   Unfortunately, after being on this forum, I have come into discussion with Catholic after Catholic, who not only disagree, but vehemently oppose this position.

   The Church is very specific in her teaching. Personal opinions are just that, personal opinions. When something doesn’t sound right, ask for references. Don’t just take what someone says as truth. People can call themself “Catholic” but how do you really know they are? No body is checking credentials at the door.
   J:
   

   Most of them completely ignore the first commandment, saying “All you need is Love of neighbor” saying that in Matt 25, everyone is judged by their works. (which I agree with, but the Sheep called Jesus Lord, so isn’t that a prerequisite to being a sheep).

   Of course that’s not all one needs. It’s a clue the one you’re conversing with doesn’t know their faith.
   J:
   

   Others say, that all roads lead to heaven and atheists, buddhist, hindu’s, etc… are all saved.
   Saying “I believe that salvation is for everyone regardless of their beliefs”. When this individual was pressed, they said “well of course not child abusers and people who commit genocide and other heinous acts”

   The Catholic Church doesn’t teach what’s highlighted. And it’s also possible the people you’re refering to are poor communicators when it comes to this format.
   J:
   

   So before I decide that maybe all roads do lead to the top of the mountain and I may as well sit and watch all of you struggle to the top, wait for death and take the elevator past you all, because your long struggles are for not according to all these catholics on here,
   
   Can someone please clear up what the Church teaches here on this issue.

   The question is why go to mass?
   
   due to space, I’ll answer this on the next post
   J:
   

   Also, if you answer with all religions are equal and Catholicism is just another one of them, I ask why do we evangelize, and do missions and partake in the sacraments.
   
   Thanks!

   I completely agree with this question. People like this really don’t know their faith. They show how poorly educated in the faith they are.

 

[steve_b]

Can someone please clear up what the Church teaches here on this issue.

Do you know why deliberately missing mass on Sundays and holy days is a mortal sin?

Heb 10: (all emphasis mine)
23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful; 24 and let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near. 26 For if we sin deliberately after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, 27* but a fearful prospect of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries. 28* A man who has violated the law of Moses dies without mercy at the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29* How much worse punishment do you think will be deserved by the man who has spurned the Son of God, and profaned the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and outraged the Spirit of grace?

Notice

• deliberately missing mass on Sunday, is already a grave sin worthy of judgment, and a fury of fire which will consume the adversaries
• because there is no sacrifice for sins as a result of one deliberately missing mass.
• It is profaning the blood of the covenant for deliberately missing mass
• It spurns the son of God and outrages the spirit of grace for deliberately missing mass

WOW!

One will ask, why does missing mass do all that?

• the sacrifice for sin and blood of the covenant refers to the Eucharist. The height and summit of our faith.
• Matthew 26:28* This is my blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins.Jesus the son of God* said those words instituting the Eucharist the night before He died.*. *Jesus further describes the importance of the Eucharist for the soul.
• Jn 6:53 unless you eat the flesh of the Son of Man and drink his blood, you have no life in you*. 54 Whoever eats my flesh and drinks my blood has eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day*. Life of the soul is grace in the Eucharist*.*

Therefore, the one who deliberately misses the Eucharist on Sunday, after being given the knowledge of truth, says in effect to Jesus, I’m interested in other things more than you.

so for them, to recap

• no sacrifice for sin is left for THEM.
• they profane the blood of the covenant
• they spurn the son of God & outrage the spirit of grace
• judgment awaits them

all that for deliberately missing mass on Sunday!!!

As you can see, this isn’t my opinion, I didn’t make this up. It’s right from scripture.

the consequences for deliberately missing mass i.e. the Eucharist, on Sunday, describes committing a mortal sin. One who dies in mortal sin won’t be going to heaven

 

[flowerfresh]

Hi.
I found this recently:
turnbacktogod.com/77-fruits-of-holy-mass/

I thought it was beautiful and encouraging (as well as enlightening.)
I am a recent re-convert who is very excited about these things.

" **To omit hearing Mass merely from carelessness or indolence would be proof that we were either ignorant of, or indifferent to, the divine treasures it contains. God grant that those who read this may in future appreciate more fully this pearl of great price, value it more highly, seek it more diligently. "

" 77 Fruits of Holy Mass. " – Father Martin von Cochem (1625-1712)

" 1. For your salvation God the Father sends his beloved Son down from heaven.
2. For your salvation the Holy Spirit changes bread and wine into the true Body and Blood of Christ.
3. For your sake the Son of God comes down from heaven and conceals Himself under the form of the sacred host.
4. He even abases Himself to such an extent as to be present in the minutest particle of the Sacred Host.
5. For your salvation He renews the saving mystery of the Incarnation.
6. For your salvation He is born anew into the world in a mystic manner whenever Holy Mass is celebrated.
7. For your salvation he performs on the altar the same act of worship He performed when on earth.
8. For your salvation He renews His bitter passion in order that you may participate in it.
9. For your salvation He mystically renews His death, and sacrifices for You His precious life.
10. For your salvation He sheds His blood in a mystic manner, and offers it up for you to the Divine Majesty.

1. With this Precious Blood He sprinkles your soul and purifies it from every stain.
2. For you, Christ offers Himself as a true burnt-offering, and renders to the Godhead the supreme honor which it is due.
3. By offering this act of worship to God, you make reparation for the glory which you has failed to give Him.
4. For you Christ offers Himself to God as a sacrifice of praise, thus atoning for your omissions in praising His Holy Name.
5. By offering to God this oblation which Christ offers, you give Him greater praise than do the Holy Angels.
6. For you, Christ offers Himself as a perfect sacrifice of thanksgiving, making compensation for all failures on your part to render thanks.
7. By offering to God Christ’s act of thanksgiving, you do make ample acknowledgment of all the benefits He had bestowed on you.
8. For you, Christ offers Himself as the all-powerful victim, reconciling you to the God Whom you has offended.
9. He pardons you for all your venial sins, provided you are firmly resolved to forsake them.
10. He also makes repartition for many of your sins of omission, when you did leave undone the good you might have done.
11. He removes many of the imperfections attaching to your good deeds.
12. He forgives you the sins, unknown or forgotten, which you has never mentioned in confession.
13. He offers Himself as a victim to make satisfaction for a part at least of your debts and transgressions.
14. Each time you hear Mass you can do more to pay the penalty due to your sins than by the severest work of penance.
15. Christ places to your credit a portion of His merits, which you may offer to God the Father in expiation of your offenses.
16. For you Christ offers Himself as the most efficacious peace-offering, interceding for you as earnestly as He interceded for His enemies on the cross.
17. His Precious Blood pleads for you in words as countless as the drops which issued from His sacred veins.
18. Each of the adorable wounds His sacred body bore is a voice calling aloud for mercy for you.
19. For the sake of this propitiatory victim, the petitions proffered during Mass will be granted far sooner than those that are proffered at other times.
20. Never can you pray so well as whilst present at Mass.
21. This is so because Christ unites His prayers to yours, and offers them to His heavenly Father.
22. He acquaints Him with your needs and dangers to which you are exposed, and makes your eternal salvation His particular concern.
23. The angels also, who are present, plead for you, and present your poor prayers before the throne of God.
24. On your behalf the priest says Mass, by virtue of which the evil enemy will not be suffered to approach you.
25. For you and for your everlasting salvation he says Mass, and offers that holy sacrifice to God Almighty.
26. When you hear Mass, you are yourself in spirit a priest, empowered by Christ to offer the Mass both for yourself and others.
27. By offering this Holy Sacrifice, you do present to the Blessed Trinity the most acceptable of all oblations.
28. You do offer an oblation precious indeed, of greater value than all things in heaven and earth.
29. You do offer an oblation precious indeed, for it is none other than God himself.
30. By this sacrifice you does honor God as He alone is worthy to be honored.
31. By this sacrifice you do give infinite satisfaction to the Most Holy Trinity.
32. You may present this glorious oblation as your own gift, for Christ Himself gave it unto you.
33. When you hear Mass aright, you do perform an act of highest worship.
34. By hearing Mass you do pay the most profound reverence, the most loyal homage, to the Sacred Humanity of Our Lord.
35. It is best means whereby to venerate the Passion of Christ, and obtain a share in its fruits.
36. It is also the best means of venerating the blessed Mother of God, and increasing her joy.
37. By hearing Mass, you can also enrich your soul more than aught else in the world.
38. By hearing Mass devoutly, you can give greater honor to the angels and the saints than by reciting many prayers.
39. For this in act you do perform a good work of the highest value.
40. It is a signal exercise of pure faith, which will receive a great reward. . . . . "

(Continued onto another/ next post as was long!)

 

[flowerfresh]

… ( Continued from Part One )

77 Fruits of the Eucharist.

1. When you do bow down before the Sacred Host and the Sacred Chalice, you do perform a supreme act of adoration.
2. For each time you gaze reverently upon the Sacred Host you will receive a recompense in heaven.
3. Each time you do smite your chest with compunction, some of your sins are remitted to you.
4. If you hear Mass in a state of mortal sin, God offers you grace of conversion.
5. If you hear Mass in a state of grace, God gives augmentation of grace.
6. In Holy Mass you spiritually eat the flesh of Christ, and drink His blood.
7. You are privileged to behold with your eyes Christ hidden under the sacramental veil, and to be beheld by Him.
8. You receive the priest’s benediction, which is confirmed by Christ in heaven.
9. Through your diligence in hearing Mass, you will also obtain corporal and temporal blessings.
10. Furthermore, you will be preserved from many misfortunes that would otherwise have vanquished you.
11. You will also be strengthened against temptations which would have otherwise have vanquished you.
12. Holy Mass will also be to you a means of obtaining grace of a holy death.
13. The love you has shown for Holy Mass will secure for you the special succor of angels and saints in your last moments.
14. The remembrance of the Masses heard in your lifetime will be a sweet solace to you in the hour of death, and inspire you with confidence in the divine mercy.
15. They will not be forgotten when you stand before the strict Judge and will incline Him to show you favor.
16. You need not fear a long and terrible Purgatory if you has already to a great extent atoned for your sins by frequently assisting at Holy Mass.
17. One Mass devoutly heard will do more to mitigate the pains of Purgatory than any act of penance, however difficult of performance.
18. One Mass in your lifetime will be of greater service to you than many said for you after death.
19. You will attain a high place in heaven, which will be yours to all eternity.
20. Your felicity in heaven will, moreover be increased by every Mass you hear on earth.
21. No prayers offered for your friends will be as efficacious as a single Mass heard and offered on their behalf.
22. You can amply recompense all your benefactors by hearing Mass for their intention.
23. The best help, the greatest consolation, you can afford the afflicted, the sick, the dying is to hear Mass for them.
24. By this same means you can even obtain for sinners the grace of conversion.
25. You can also earn for all faithful Christians saving and salutary graces.
26. For the suffering souls in Purgatory you can procure abundant refreshment.
27. And if it is not within your power to have Mass said for your departed friends, you can by devout assistance at the Holy Sacrifice release them from the tormenting flames.

What do you now think of the Holy Mass, O Christian? Can it be supposed that in the whole world there is any other good work whereby so many graces and fruits are placed within our reach?

It is no longer possible to question the truth of the words of Father Sanchez: If Christians only knew how to profit by Holy Mass, they might acquire greater riches than are to be found in all things God has created.

We have indeed a precious storehouse in the Mass: happy he who can earn treasures so great at the cost of so little labor! Who would willingly miss Mass? Who would not delight in hearing it? Let us resolve never to lose an opportunity of hearing Mass, provided the duties of our state of life do not prevent us from doing so. "

• – – written by Father Martin von Cochem (1625-1712)

 

[Pug]

Yes, between this and Pope Francis’s comments taken out of context,. that is what I was facing.

People seem to think that “no fault of their own” means everyone who is not Catholic.

Oh, I see! I’ve had my head buried in work for over a month and missed the brouhaha over those remarks. The press is excellent at making hay out of nothing, you’d think they were Midas himself.

Indeed, “no fault of their own” does not mean any random person who is not Catholic. Both 846 and 847 speak to me of the will or heart of the person. Perhaps your interlocutors (the Catholics you spoke with) confuse what *is *with what they may judge. If we are talking with a particular man, we may not judge him as destined for hell, and perhaps we help ourselves to not judge by thinking as well as possible of his or her motives, since unlike God we cannot see heart and will and motive. But not judging our fellow man beyond what is allowed should not be confused with saying they all will go to heaven. God will judge.

Hope that makes sense. I know from talking a long time here (just look at how pathetically long ago I joined) that some people are sincere, but getting at that can be difficult on the web. Others, well, there are others, too.