Why go to Sunday Mass?

Why Catholics should go to Mass. The importance of the Mass.

Attending Sunday Mass is of profound importance, not only as an obligation but as a source of spiritual nourishment and growth.

Because we have the schedules of so many churches worldwide in the Catholic Mass Times app, it doesn’t matter if you are at home, traveling or far from home. This app can help you find nearby churches wherever you are. And what a beautiful gift it is to go to Mass on Sundays and every day of the week if possible!

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.

From the Genesis account, we understand that God established a day consecrated to Him: “And on the seventh day He rested.” This is the root of the Jewish Sabbath. However, since Jesus Christ was resurrected on a Sunday, the early Christians moved the Sabbath to the first day of the week, Sunday, dedicating it fully to God.

In the Acts of the Apostles, it is mentioned that the tradition of celebrating Mass on Sundays dates back to the beginning of the Church, when the apostles and the first followers gathered on the first day of the week, remembering the Resurrection of Christ, to read the Scriptures and share the bread of the Eucharist.

For this reason, the Church asks us to go to Sunday Mass, as a reminder of our obligation to dedicate that day to God.

Attending Mass also has essential benefits since it is the context in which the sacrament of the Eucharist is celebrated. The Eucharist is considered the most perfect means of sanctification, through which we approach God and unite ourselves to Jesus Christ and the whole Church in its mission of sanctification.

In the Mass, we participate intimately in the life and mystery of Jesus Christ: through Him, with Him, and in Him, offering our actions and ourselves, asking forgiveness for our sins, and obtaining graces for the whole Church, making reparation for the offenses of others, and offering praise of infinite value because we do so through Jesus Christ.

Not attending Mass means losing all these benefits.

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

The Holy Mass relives, in an actual way, the sacrifice of the cross, where Jesus Christ, out of love, died for all of us. So why is going to mass a norm for something that should arise as a natural response to love?

The commandment helps us Christians fulfill our duties towards Christ and take advantage of the gifts He has given us. In some situations, remembering that going to Mass is an obligation gives us the strength to fulfill this act of love. The norm of attending Mass carries a motivation that we sometimes fail to achieve by our spontaneity.

It is essential to develop a sense of foresight so as not to miss Sunday Mass, to teach it to our families, and thus to attend with serenity and without pressure the Eucharistic Celebration, which is “a sacrament of piety, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is received as food, the soul is filled with grace and we are given the pledge of the glory to come”(Sacrosanctum Concilium, 47).

So, should I go to Sunday Mass?

St. Augustine once said, “You made us for yourself, Lord, and our hearts will be restless until they rest in you.” The Mass is where our restless hearts find comfort, our spirits are uplifted, and we draw closer to our Creator. It is a sacred encounter, a divine appointment that should be cherished and prioritized in our lives! Here are a few reasons why attending Mass is essential for Catholics: 1. Encounter with Christ: Holy Mass is where we truly encounter Christ in the Eucharist. As St. John Paul II said, “The Eucharist is the source and summit of the Christian life.” Through the Eucharist, we participate in the Body and Blood of Jesus, allowing us to draw close to Him profoundly and intimately. 2. Community and Unity: The Mass is not only a personal experience but one of community. When we gather as the Body of Christ, we strengthen our bonds of unity and share our faith with other Catholics. St. Paul reminds us: “Since we are one bread, we who are many are one body, for we all partake of the one bread” (1 Corinthians 10:17). 3. Spiritual Nourishment: Just as our bodies need food, our souls also require spiritual nourishment. Attending Mass provides us with the Body and Blood of Christ, the Word of God, and His teaching and guidance that equip us to face the challenges of our daily lives. Here are some resources I recommend: the book “The Lamb’s Supper” by Scott Hahn and “Rediscovering Catholicism” by Matthew Kelly. Remember that the Catholic Mass Times app is here to help you find Mass, Confession, and Adoration schedules in churches around the world, making it easy for you to participate in this life-changing experience! I invite you to make attending Mass a pillar in your faith journey and share the App with your friends and family. As St. Pio of Pietrelcina said, “It is easier for the earth to exist without the sun than without the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.” Let us embrace this divine gift and experience the joy, peace, and spiritual growth the Mass brings our lives.

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.