Saturday, November 30, 2019

The Passion


Remember - THE MASS has infinite value
  • Nothing on this earth, gives more glory to God and obtains more benefits for us than a single Mass. 
  • By the celebration of the Mass, we offer to God the greatest praise, the greatest glory. 
  • The Mass is really and truly the Sacrifice of the Cross. In the Mass Christ is crucified, sheds His Precious Blood, and dies for us.
  • We can pray for all and the souls in Purgatory by offering for them the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. 
I write, the moments I love in the celebration of the mass. Every Priest is unique and wonderful. And yet there are certain moments that seem to write its way into my heart. To me, it has always been the PASSION! 





The Introductory Rites
We begin the celebration of the mass with the Sign of the cross. 
Priest- In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. (Fr. Daniel looks to every ones participation)
(Fr. William and Fr. Leonard would speak something on the life of the Saint-for the day. They never missed. It is always wonderful to listen.) 

Priest- The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit be with you all.  (Fr. Joe sings this most beautifully)

OR 
Priest:  The Lord be with you. 
People:  And with your spirit.


Penitential Act
Priest- Brothers and Sisters, let us acknowledge our sins, that we may prepare ourselves to celebrate the sacred mysteries.  A brief pause for silence follows. 

I confess to almighty God….
Priest- May almighty God have mercy on us, forgive us our sins, and bring us to everlasting life.
People: Amen.
Priest.  Lord, have mercy.      R.  Lord, have mercy.
Priest.  Christ, have mercy.    R.  Christ, have mercy.
Priest.  Lord, have mercy.      R.  Lord, have mercy. 
(Fr. Reuben sings this most beautifully and I love it when he does.) 

The Gloria is sung or said at all Sunday Masses, and feasts with the exclusion of Advent and Lent. 
It is meant for all of the people to be singing TOGETHER
Sadly for Christmas and Easter – the choir leads with their tune, making it their Glory to God and no one else’s. I love the Gloria, but the Glory to God must come from ALL not just the choir.



Priest- Let us Pray. (Fr. Ashlyn would always remind us to pray for our need. 



Liturgy of the Word
First Reading 
RESPONSORIAL PSALM 
Second Reading 
Gospel ACCLAMATION 

When the Gospel is proclaimed, it is Christ Himself speaking.
Priest- The Gospel of the Lord.
(I remember, Fr. Byron would lift the Bible and sing, ‘Praise, Praise, Praise be to Jesus, now and evermore.)
(Fr. Ashlyn had a different way of explaining the homily. No big words, but the message always Jesus. Be OPEN! Watchful and PRAY at all times.) 
(Fr. William and Fr. Reuben with regards to a homily explain the readings in conjunction to the Gospel.)
I also love listening to Fr. Avon and Fr. Savio. Really very simple priests. Also there were 2 Redemptorist who had come to Mt. Carmel. One of them was a fiery speaker and the other Redemptorist would give Jesus, saying ‘Body of Christ’ with a smile on his face.

(Fr. Alvaro at 85 plus, stands through the celebration of the mass. And when he does give a homily, can I say he is so full of life, enthusiastic and I love to listen to him. That passion with which he delivers, my goodness. I love Fr. Alvaro.

Every priest is unique and wonderful! 

Nicene Creed or the Apostles’ Creed. 
Prayer of the Faithful. 




The Eucharistic Liturgy 
is made up of the presentation of the gifts, the Eucharistic prayer and the Communion. 
The presentation of the gifts - (the offertory) 
Priest- (and we with him) offer the hosts and wine. Offer all that is yours in this moment of the Mass. Take all of that and put it on the paten beside the hosts. 
Fr. Ashlyn always did say, that the best gift we can offer God is ourselves. We must offer our hearts when the priest offers the oblation of this Sacrifice. 
I pray to God, with offering my life, my weaknesses. I also offer to God, all of the People of God-His Church including my family and all of the people of the world, offering to God, all our fears, our worries our anxieties and our lives. I pray, because many want to do just that, but they are not aware, that they can at this part of the celebration of the mass.  
  • Be focused when the Priest offers the gifts. If not, then the bread and the wine won't be our gifts.
(I love the way Fr. Ashlyn taught. The Fr. Daniel way. And I absolutely love Fr. Joe. His singing is passionate.) 
Priest (Fr. Joe sings)- Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the bread we offer you: fruit of the earth and work of human hands, it will become for us the bread of life. 
(I offer up my fears and my life in totality-everything to the will of God.) 
People: (We respond-Blessed be God, Blessed be God, Blessed be God, forever. Amen) 
Priest (Fr. Joe sings)- Blessed are you, Lord God of all creation, for through your goodness we have received the wine we offer you: fruit of the vine and work of human hands it will become our spiritual drink. 
(I pray that I may never speak bad-on Priests)
People: (We respond with Fr. Joes singing-Blessed be God, Blessed be God, Blessed be God, forever. Amen) 

Priest- (says quietly) With humble spirit and contrite heart may we be accepted by you, O Lord, and may our sacrifice in your sight this day be pleasing to you, Lord God. 
The Priest then will wash his hands in holy water, symbolic of Pontius Pilate washing his hands of Jesus, the Innocent Victim. 

The Mass is Christ's sacrifice. But it is also the sacrifice of the priest and of the people. It is our sacrifice if we have really put some part of ourselves into this sacrifice. In the Offertory, 
Priest- (standing at the side of the altar, washes his hands, saying quietly) Wash me, O Lord, from my iniquity and cleanse me from my sin. 
Priest- (Standing at the middle of the altar, facing the people, extending and then joining his hands, he says) Pray, brothers and sisters, that my sacrifice and yours may be acceptable to God, the almighty Father. 
(Fr. Joe, signals or asks the people to stand up because some times people are still seated.)

People: May the Lord accept the sacrifice at your hands for the praise and glory of his name, for our good and the good of all his holy Church.



The Eucharistic Prayer
(Fr. Joe sings)
Priest- The Lord be with you.
People: And with your spirit.
Priest- Lift up your hearts.
People: We lift them up to the Lord.
Priest- Let us give thanks to the Lord our God.
People: It is right and just.

Priest- And so, with Angels and Archangels, with Thrones and Dominions, and with all the hosts and Powers of heaven, we sing the hymn of your glory, as without end we acclaim:
When we sing THE SANCTUS, our response must be enthusiastic and full of reverence.  
The Sanctus: All: 1."Holy, Holy, Holy Lord God of hosts. Heaven and earth are full of your glory. Hosanna in the highest. 2. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. Hosanna in the highest."
It is a hymn of adoration and a shout of victory. The triple “Holy” represents The Father, The Son, and The Holy Spirit – the Holy Trinity. The first part of the “Sanctus” signals to our entrance into heavenly worship, the second part signals that in the Eucharist we are entering into Christ’s sacrifice.

On a Sunday mass, Fr. Alvaro explained to us that both Mother Mary and St. Joseph are the greatest of the Saints and their names figure on the top of the list of saints. Fr. Alvaro spoke on the simple things done with love and obedience to God, always being patient. They lived humble lives in all holiness to the will of God.
In communion with those whose memory we venerate, especially the glorious ever-Virgin Mary, Mother of our God and Lord, Jesus Christ, and blessed Joseph, her Spouse,
your blessed Apostles and Martyrs, Peter and Paul, Andrew, James, John, Thomas, James, Philip, Bartholomew, Matthew, Simon and Jude; Linus, Cletus, Clement, Sixtus, Cornelius, Cyprian, Lawrence, Chrysogonus, John and Paul, Cosmas and Damian and all your Saints; we ask that through their merits and prayers, in all things we may be defended by your protecting help. (Through Christ our Lord. Amen.)


At the moment of consecration, Jesus comes to the Altar by turning the bread and the wine into His own Body and Blood a miracle known as 'Transubstantiation'. 
Before the wine is offered to the Father, the Priest adds a drop of water into the chalice. The wine represents the divine nature, water represents our human nature, so that the mixing of the water and wine signifies the Incarnation of Christ. We pray that we also become one with Christ. 
**** 

Priest- TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU, AND EAT OF IT, FOR THIS IS MY BODY, WHICH WILL BE GIVEN UP FOR YOU. 
(Fr. Joe- Thank You Lord, 
Praise You Lord, 
Bless You Lord, 
Love You Lord.) 
I pray for all the priests, of all orders and of positions and for both our Popes (Pope Francis & Pope Benedict). I also pray for those studying to be priests. I pray for all the Nuns and those studying. I pray for all of their good health and protection from all evils. I pray at all the celebration of the mass. If there is a pause I am able to personally pray for all the Priests I know. I somehow do that.
But with Fr. Joe I get more time to pray.  

Priest- TAKE THIS, ALL OF YOU AND DRINK FROM IT, FOR THIS IS THE CHALICE OF MY BLOOD, THE BLOOD OF THE NEW AND ETERNAL COVENANT, WHICH WILL BE POURED OUT FOR YOU AND FOR MANY FOR THE FORGIVENESS OF SINS. DO THIS IN MEMORY OF ME. 
(Fr. Joe- Thank You Jesus, 
Praise You Jesus, 
Bless You Jesus, 
Love You Jesus.)
(I pray for my family and for everyone in this whole world)

The priest says "This is my body"; "This is the Chalice of my blood”. Jesus this moment on is at the Altar in the form of The Body and Blood.  



The priest invites us to proclaim the Mystery of Faith
Christ has died, 
Christ is risen, 
Christ will come again. 
What we see with our eyes as bread and wine is - the true Body and Blood of Jesus Christ who suffered, died, and was raised from the dead for our redemption!


FOR THE DEAD. 
Priest- Welcome into your kingdom our departed brothers and sisters, and all who left this world in your friendship. We hope to enjoy forever the vision of your glory, through Christ our Lord, from whom all good things come. 
Fr. Joe, Fr. Leonard and Fr. Ashlyn always pause for a moment. 
At this time, I pray for all the souls who have come from the beginning of time and for those who are leaving the world today, until the next time I attend mass. I pray for God’s mercy on them. I pray for the souls of Purgatory and for their release from Purgatory. I pray for God’s mercy on ALL. I pray that no soul that loves God is lost. 


Priest- Through Him, and with Him, and in Him, O God, almighty Father, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, all glory and honour is yours, for ever and ever. 
(Fr. Joe, Fr. Reuben and Fr. Daniel sing)
(Fr. Joe- always reminds us to bow to the presence of God on the Altar.) 
People:  Amen. 
Let us express our faith with the words of Saint Thomas, "My Lord and my God." 



The Communion Rite
Priest- At the Saviour’s command and formed by divine teaching, we dare to say: 
All: Our Father 
(Fr. Reuben prays ‘The Our Father’, Loud and crystal clear.) Each and every time. Perfection! 


Fr. Reuben and Fr. Joe are singing priests. And when a priest sings during the celebration of the mass, I think they bring their heart out into their voice.  


Priest- Deliver us, Lord, from every evil, and grant us peace in our day. In your mercy keep us free from sin and protect us from all anxiety as we wait in joyful hope for the coming of our Saviour, Jesus Christ. 
People: For the kingdom, the power, and the glory are yours, now and forever. 


Priest- Lord Jesus Christ, you said to your apostles: I leave you peace, my peace I give you. Look not on our sins, but on the faith of your Church, and grant us the peace and unity of your kingdom where you live for ever and ever. 
People: Amen. 
Priest- The Peace of the Lord be with you always. 
People: And also with you. 
Priest- Let us offer each other a sign of peace. 


“Lamb of God”.

Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: have mercy on us.
Lamb of God, you take away the sins of the world: grant us peace. 


((Fr. Joe- Keep me always faithful to Your commandments and never let me be parted from You. For I can do all things through You. Your grace is sufficient.) I have not done full justice to what Fr. Joe prays on the Altar). But it is always beautiful and passionate.
Fr. Joe- This is Jesus, the Son of God, the Son of Mary and Joseph.
Priest- This is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. Happy are those who are called to his supper.
Fr. Daniel holds Jesus saying ‘Behold the Lamb of God’, holding Jesus for a little longer. I love to gaze at Jesus.

People: Lord, I am not worthy that you should enter under my roof, but only say the word and my soul shall be healed. 


The priest will break his Host into smaller pieces for himself and to distribute to the people. The breaking of the Host reminds us that Christ was broken and died for us. The priest will also take a small piece of the Host (Body of Christ) and place it in the chalice. 

COMMUNION 

Priest-  Then he takes the Host, breaks It over the Paten, and places a small piece in the chalice, saying quietly: May this mingling of the Body and Blood of our Lord Jesus Christ bring eternal life to us who receive it. 

When one has received communion, it is the best moment to ask graces from our Lord. Pray for everyone. And remember to thank Jesus. 
After communion, the priest, will place the remaining Hosts in the Tabernacle. Every particle and drop of the Body and Blood of Christ is reverently consumed. 

On Sunday's Fr. Reuben before the final blessing leads the congregation with a beautiful prayer in his own words. I think he does that on other occasions too. It is a beautiful prayer each and every time. 

The priest gives us God’s blessing and says “go in peace to love and serve the Lord.” We are called just as the word states to love everybody-no distinction and to serve not ourselves but each and everybody, with no conditions attached. While we have been dismissed, it is a mark of respect to allow the Priest to leave first. 

After the celebration of the mass, I have seen, Fr. Leonard N, Fr. Alvaro and Fr. Joe pray in their own ways. 
To receive Communion, is the greatest gift in the whole wide world. Once the celebration of The Mass has ended it is only the love of the heart, that one remains for a few minutes speaking with the Lord. My heart is in union with my Lord and Master, my Beloved and I don’t want to ever leave. 
With faith, we will realize that the celebration of the mass is our greatest strength. Heaven is here at the celebration of the Mass. It is a wonderful life, when we understand how Awesome our God is.


Thank You, Abba Father.
 
Thank You, Jesus. 
Thank You, Holy Spirit. 


The Unforgettable walk to Emmaus!
http://godofimpossibles.blogspot.com/2019/07/the-unforgettable-walk-to-emmaus.html

The celebration of the MASS!


I love you, Padre Pio.



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