…Our Church has a beautiful and precious treasure in the
Mass. None of us must ever take the Mass for granted or become lukewarm toward
it. Moreover, priests should offer the Mass reverently and joyfully. The Second
Vatican Council reminded the laity in particular of their role; “The Church,
therefore, earnestly desires that Christ’s faithful, when present at this
mystery of faith, should not be there as strangers or silent spectators. On the
contrary, through a good understanding of the rites and prayers, they should
take part in the sacred action, conscious of what they are doing, with devotion
and full collaboration. They should be instructed by God’s Word, and be
nourished at the table of the Lord’s Body. They should give thanks to God.
Offering the Immaculate Victim, not only through the hands of the priest, but
also together with him, they should learn to offer themselves. Through Christ,
the Mediator, they should be drawn day by day into ever more perfect union with
God and each other, so that finally God may be all in all” (The Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, 48).
(Reverend William P. Saunders, PhD: Straight Answers II, Cathedral Foundation
Press, Baltimore, MD, 2003)
Commentaries on the
Priest’s Request: Lift up your hearts
St. Cyprian (d.A.D. 258): When we stand praying, beloved
brethren, we ought to be watchful and earnest with our whole heart, intent on
our prayers. Let all carnal and worldly thoughts pass away, nor let the soul at
that time think on anything but the object only of its prayer. For this reason
also the priest, by way of preface before his prayer, prepares the minds of the
brethren by saying, Lift up your hearts,
that so upon the people’s response, We
have them before our Lord, he may be reminded that he himself ought to
think of nothing but our Lord.
St. Cyril of Jerusalem: Lift
up your hearts: For in this sublime moment the heart should be lifted up to
God, and not be allowed to descend to the earth and to earthly concerns. With
all possible emphasis the sacrificing priest exhorts us in this hour to lay
aside all the cares of this life, all domestic worries, and direct our hearts to
God in heaven who hath so loved men.... Let there be none among you, who shall
confess with his lips: We have lifted up our hearts, and allow his thoughts to
remain with the cares of this life.
Part of a prayer
of St. Padre Pio
Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.
Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak and I need Your strength, that I may not fall so often.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my life, and without You, I am without fervor.
Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You, I am in darkness.
Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.
Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.
Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much, and always be in Your company.
Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.
Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is, I wish it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of Love.
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