Attending Mass is a participation in the most noble act of man – which is sacrifice, according to St. Thomas Aquinas. Each Mass is the re-presentation of Christ’s sacrifice at Calvary, and His sacrifice is the highest act of all acts. At each Mass a Catholic attends, he is bathed in a font of great graces and blessings.
Each Mass devoutly attended:
St. Louis De Montfort, author of the famous treatise on the rosary – The Secret of the Rosary, says that “the roses of your Rosary will never wilt or die, and they will be just as exquisite thousands of years from now as they are today.”
More recently, Our Lady herself asked the three children at Fatima (in her 1917 apparition), to tell mankind to stop offending God, and to pray the rosary daily – in reparation for sin, and for heavenly help in managing the difficulties and crises of modern life, including diseases, wars, and threats to peace.
The Rosary was originally presented by Our Lady to St. Dominic Guzman, a Spanish priest, in her 1208 apparition to him. He was praying for an end to the growing Albigensian heresy in Europe. She then asked him to preach her Psalter to overcome Albigensian dissent. The Marian Psalter, originally developed by the Cistercians, involved praying 150 Hail Marys divided into groups of 10, separated by the Our Father. Mary then gave St. Dominic the three sets of mysteries based on stories of Christ’s life – Joyful, Sorrowful, and Glorious – to correspond with the Psalter prayers. Our Lady likewise assured St. Dominic of 15 promises of the Rosary, for those who say it with devotion.
15 Promises of the Rosary:
The Albigensians were roundly defeated, as were many foreboding opponents to faithful Catholics throughout the ages. The Rosary to this day remains a great weapon in beating back the threats of evil over good, and of falsehood over Truth. Through the rosary, the prayers of the faithful become a beautiful ‘bouquet’ to Christ through Mary, for an incomparable result.
Frequent Confession is crucial to receiving the graces for overcoming personal flaws, ingrained habits, and worldly intimidations. This sacrament develops humility, so a serious Catholic can live in accordance with actual reality – about himself, situations around him, and God’s Truth.
Coming to Confession regularly – perhaps monthly or more – acquaints a person better with himself as he genuinely is, and how he is progressing before God. It not only imbues a healthy humility, it embeds real contrition, holy courage, and acquaintance with Christ’s true teachings.
Many devout Catholics have a priestly spiritual director who likewise serves as their confessor. Certain situations – especially those in business – need the objective assessment and counsel of a detached spiritual confidante, often a trusted priest.
A state of grace is critical for contending successfully with daily challenges. Confession rebuffs the assaults of Hell against someone returned to a state of grace. He then can live in true peace of soul according to his God-pleasing purpose – and be an exemplary ambassador to others.