In my last post, I said that my posts this month are devoted to the Blessed Sacrament.

Because the Eucharist and the Mass are inseparable, I also want to share prayers that can deepen our participation in Mass and reception of Holy Communion.

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The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is offered for four ends:

• Adoration
• Thanksgiving
• Atonement
• Petition

Below is a traditional prayer that one may pray before Mass.

It addresses the four ends, which are highlighted for emphasis.

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Prayer Before Mass

Eternal Father, I unite myself with the intentions and affections of our Lady of Sorrows on Calvary, and I offer Thee the sacrifice which Thy beloved Son Jesus made of Himself on the Cross, and which He now renews on this holy Altar. I offer it in the name of all mankind, with the Masses which are now being offered, and all those which will be offered throughout the world this day:

To adore Thee and give Thee the honor which is due to Thee, confessing Thy supreme dominion over all things, and the absolute dependence of everything upon Thee, Who art our one and last End;

To thank Thee for innumerable benefits received;

To appease Thy justice, aroused against us by so many sins, and to make satisfaction for them;

To implore grace and mercy for myself, for Thy Church, for the afflicted and sorrowing, for poor sinners, for those whom I have promised prayers, for all the world, and for the holy souls in purgatory. Amen.

From: Coalition in Support of Ecclesia Dei