From "The Liturgical Year" by Dom Gueranger O.S.B.

Volume 1 Advent - Chapter The Fifth

On Hearing Mass During The Time Of Advent

 

The Immaculate Conception (circa 1618), Diego Velázquez

 

        There is no exercise which is more pleasing to God, or more

meritorious, or which has greater influence in infusing solid piety into

the soul, than the assisting at the holy sacrifice of the Mass. If this be

true at all the various seasons of the Christian year, it is so, in a very

special manner, during the holy time of Advent. The faithful, therefore,

should make every effort in order to enjoy this precious blessing, even on

those days when they are not obliged to it by the precept of the Church.

    With what gratitude ought they to assist at that divine sacrifice, for

which the world had been longing for four thousand years! God has granted

them to be born after the fulfillment of that stupendous and merciful

oblation, and would not put them in the generations of men who died before

they could partake of its reality and its riches! This notwithstanding,

they must earnestly unite with the Church in praying for the coming of the

Redeemer, so to pay their share of that great debt which God had put upon

all, whether living before or after the fulfillment of the mystery of the

Incarnation. Let them think of this in assisting at the holy sacrifice.

    Let them also remember that this great sacrifice, which perpetuates on

this earth even to the end of time, though in an unbloody manner, the real

oblation of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, has this for its express

aim: to prepare the souls of the faithful for the mysterious coming of God,

who redeemed our souls only that He might take possession of them. It not

only prepares, it even effects this glorious advent.

    Let them, in the third place, lovingly profit by the presence of, and

intimacy with, Jesus, to which this hidden yet saving mystery admits them;

that so, when He comes in that other way, whereby He will judge the world

in terrible majesty, He may recognize them as His friends, and even then,

when mercy shall give place to justice, again save them.