The Mass is the heart of the Catholic faith. It is the celebration in which the people of God gather to hear the Word of God and to participate in the Sacrifice of Christ made present on the altar. At every Mass the Church obeys the command of Jesus at the Last Supper when He said to His apostles, “Do this in memory of me.” In this moment Jesus gave His Church the Eucharist and entrusted to it the sacred responsibility of continuing this act of worship until He comes again. Because of this command the Mass is not simply a gathering or a reminder of something that happened long ago. It is a true participation in the saving mystery of Christ. Through the words of consecration spoken by the priest the bread and wine become the Body and Blood of Christ and the faithful are invited to receive Him in Holy Communion.

The Mass is important because it unites the faithful with Christ and with one another. The Eucharist is described in the Catechism as the source and summit of the Christian life. Everything in the life of a believer flows from this gift and everything returns to it. At Mass the Church offers praise and thanksgiving to God, seeks forgiveness, listens to His Word, and is nourished by the real presence of Christ. The Mass strengthens the soul, increases grace, and prepares the faithful to live out their faith in the world. It is also a foretaste of the heavenly banquet, pointing the Church toward eternal life with God.

God also teaches clearly about the importance of worship. In the Ten Commandments He instructs His people to keep holy the Lord’s Day. For Catholics this means attending Mass every Sunday and on holy days of obligation unless a serious reason prevents it. The command to worship God is not meant to be a burden. Instead it is an invitation to enter into a loving relationship with Him. Jesus Himself reminded His followers that man does not live by bread alone but by every word that comes from the mouth of God. By participating in the Mass the faithful respond to this truth and allow God to nourish their souls with His grace and His presence.

For these reasons the Mass stands at the center of Catholic life. It is the moment where heaven touches earth and where believers encounter the love of Christ in the most direct way. The Church gathers in obedience to Christ, listens to His Word, receives His Body and Blood, and is sent out to bring His love into the world. Through the Mass the faithful are strengthened in grace and prepared for eternal life with God. Click here to find a Mass near you.