How to Thank God in the Mass: An Essential Practice

by | Spiritual life

The Eucharist, whose name means “thanksgiving”, is the perfect means to give thanks to God for His countless gifts. The Holy Mass is an act in which the faithful not only remember God’s goodness and mercy, but also respond to that generosity with grateful hearts. As the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches, “the Eucharist is thanksgiving and praise to the Father” (CCC, 1358).

In this article, we will reflect on how we thank God in the Mass, exploring the prayers that express this gratitude and how we can participate more fully in this act of love.

Keep reading to find tips on benefiting from the Holy Mass and participating with an open heart!

You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.

In which Prayers of the Holy Mass do we thank God?

The structure of the Holy Mass is imbued with moments to thank God. These prayers reflect not only our individual gratitude but also the actions of the entire Church in response to divine love.

1. Preface

The preface of the Eucharistic Prayer is a proclamation of gratitude that elevates the entire assembly to heaven. In it, the priest invites the faithful, saying: ‘Let us give thanks to the Lord our God,’ to which we respond: ‘It is right and just.’ This initial dialogue prepares our hearts to praise and thank God for His creation, redemption, and constant providence.

The preface begins with the dialogue between the priest (P) and the faithful (F):

(P): ‘The Lord be with you.’

(F): ‘And with your spirit.’

(P): ‘Lift up your hearts.’

(F): ‘We lift them up to the Lord.’

(P): ‘Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.’

(F): ‘It is right and just.’

From there, the priest proclaims a prayer that varies according to the liturgical season or solemnity, highlighting why we thank God, such as His creative work, redemption in Christ, or the action of the Holy Spirit.

2. Eucharistic Prayer

The Eucharistic Prayer, the center of the liturgy, is an act of thanksgiving to God. During this solemn moment, the Church expresses its gratitude to God by remembering Christ’s sacrifice and acknowledging the fruits of His redemption. This prayer invites us to unite our voices and hearts to thank God the Father for the gift of His Son and the salvation He offers us.

The Eucharistic Prayer includes:

  • The Epiclesis, where the Holy Spirit is invoked to consecrate the bread and wine.
  • The Anamnesis, where Christ’s sacrifice and resurrection are remembered.
  • The intercessions, where prayers are offered for the Church, the faithful departed, and all of humanity.

Example:

‘We offer you this living and holy sacrifice, in thanksgiving and in praise of your Name.’

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3. We Give You Thanks

After receiving Communion, the assembly is invited to silent prayer or to participate in a thanksgiving song to God. This is a moment of intimacy with Christ, where our gratitude for His real presence in the Eucharist becomes a personal response of love.

Thanksgiving Prayer by Saint Thomas Aquinas for after communion:

I give you thanks, Lord God Almighty, eternal God,

who to me, a sinner, your unworthy servant,

not for any merit of mine but only out of your mercy have deigned

to feed me with the Body and Blood of your Son,

our Lord Jesus Christ.

I beseech you that this Holy Communion may not be for my soul

occasion of punishment, but intercession

of salutary forgiveness.

May this Holy Communion be for me

armor of faith, shield of good will,

death of my vices, banishment of all my carnal appetites

and increase of charity, patience and

of all virtues.

May it be a worthy defense against all enemies of my soul.

May it be a perfect remedy for my spirit;
perpetual friendship with you;

my true God and Lord; and seal of my death.

Blessed one, I beseech you to be pleased

to bring this sinner to that ineffable banquet

where You, with your Son and the Holy Spirit,

are for all the saints, true Light,

complete satisfaction, everlasting joy, consummate happiness

and perfect bliss.

Through the same Christ our Lord.

Amen.

Need to find Mass times at a parish near you? Download the FREE Catholic Mass Times app! Download it now if you are looking for a Live Catholic Mass near me
Need to find Mass times at a parish near you? Download the FREE Catholic Mass Times app! Download it now if you are looking for a Live Catholic Mass near me

How we can better live the Holy Mass to thank God:

To express sincere gratitude to God, it is essential to participate actively and with open hearts. Here are some tips to live this aspect of the Holy Mass more fully:

1. Offer God Our Time

It may happen that you feel there are other urgent matters or important (or VERY important) activities at the same time as the Mass. There, you have the first opportunity to be generous, put God first, and trust in His omnipotence.

Surely you have experienced that if you postpone other things to participate in the Holy Mass, all kinds of miracles happen that make your time more productive, or achievements occur that you could never have accomplished on your own in that time. If it hasn’t happened to you yet, prioritize going to Mass several times, and you’ll soon experience it!

The Lord does not let Himself be outdone in generosity! Give Him your time and heart, which is all He’s interested in. He already has everything else, He needs nothing more.

2. Recognize God’s gifts

Have you ever paused before Mass to think about all the blessings God has given you?

You could take a moment to reflect on those things for which you feel grateful: your family, friends, health, work, or even those details that seem small but fill your life with meaning.

Perhaps you might be inspired to make a mental or written list of these graces and remember them during personal prayer or Communion. Consciously recognizing what we have received opens us to a deeper and more sincere gratitude. It can also be a good time to review difficulties overcome with God’s help, recognizing His constant presence and providence.

If you arrive 5 minutes before the Holy Mass begins and dedicate yourself to kneeling and telling God that you come to Mass leaving other important things because you want to give Him Glory, give Him thanks, ask for Forgiveness, and ask for help, your mind will have time to tune in, and you will benefit from the Holy Mass much more!

3. Spiritual Preparation

Have you considered preparing your spirit to live the Mass more fully?

You can start with an examination of conscience that helps you identify areas where you need God’s grace. If you have the opportunity, approach the sacrament of reconciliation, as it will allow you to participate in the Mass with a clean and willing heart. Before leaving home, you could spend a few minutes asking the Holy Spirit to guide you and reading the day’s readings, allowing their message to resonate within you before hearing it in the liturgy.

This preparation time is an invitation to approach the altar with a heart full of expectation and openness.

4. Active Preparation

The Mass is a unique opportunity to involve yourself actively and fully. Perhaps you could try responding with more intention to the acclamations, joining in the singing without worrying about how you sound, or paying special attention to the readings, seeking what message God might be directing to your life.

During the offertory, you could mentally offer your joys, concerns, and needs, uniting them to Christ’s sacrifice.

Also, how about paying attention to liturgical gestures, such as bowing, kneeling, or joining hands in prayer? These external acts are not only expressions of respect but help focus your heart and mind on the mystery being celebrated.

5. Cultivate a Grateful Heart

What if you made gratitude a daily habit?

You could look for something to be thankful for every day, even amid challenges. A brief prayer at the beginning or end of the day, such as “Thank you, Lord, for everything you have given me today”, can transform your perspective. You can also try writing in a gratitude journal, recording small moments where you have felt God’s presence.

Over time, this practice can help you find reasons to be thankful even in the most ordinary circumstances, filling your life with renewed joy that you will carry to every Mass.

You can use the Catholic Mass Times app to find the nearest Catholic church with Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules. It will surely help you! Download it now.

The act of giving thanks to God is essential in every Eucharist. In each Mass, we have the opportunity to express our gratitude to God with words and a sincere offering of our hearts. As the Catechism teaches, “the Eucharist is an act of thanksgiving to God for all his work: creation, redemption, and sanctification” (CCC, 1360).

May each participation in the Mass be an occasion to renew our gratitude, recognizing that all good things come from God. By living with grateful hearts, we honor the Lord and allow his love to transform our lives and those around us.