Third Week of Lent - Wednesday

Day Twenty-two
Part 3 Chapter 1
"The Holy Mass"

"It sometimes happens that you find the Mass too long: you do not know what to say to our Lord while He is on the altar. Let me propose to you an inexhaustible subject for conversation. Expose to Jesus whatever you desire as mothers. Tell Him your trials, yours fears, and your hopes. Ask Him the solution of all those difficulties which so often perplex you. If Jesus reproaches you, it will never be because you have asked too much, but rather because you have failed to be discreet in your petitions. A mass during which you would not cease to cry out your miseries to Jesus, would be a mass well heard, provided that you were not less solicitous for spiritual favors than for those of the temporal order."

For readers who have only experienced the Novus Ordo Mass (New Rite - introduced in the years following the Second Vatican Council), it may seem strange to imagine people reading a book, even a prayer book, during Mass.  During the time in which Monsignor Lejeune was writing, however, such a thing was often the participation of a lay person at Mass.  He or she desired, to varying degrees then just as now, to pray throughout the Holy Sacrifice.  Some would pray a rosary rather than read a prayer book.  Rather than those actions, we might be more accustomed today to the sad example of someone completely distracted or simply following the correct postures while the mind is wandering to thoughts of lunch or afternoon activities.  Regardless, Monsignor is imploring us to actively participate during the Mass through prayer.  There are more than enough moments of silence before, during, and immediately following every Mass to allow for reflection and even meditation.  Choosing a subject for reflection ahead of time can be a helpful tool, especially if motherly duties upon arrival at church still involve what you might crisis management.  There is no need to wait on the calm feeling to set in before undertaking your reflection; if you have little ones, that feeling might not come for the entire hour.  It can be quite fruitful then to choose a topic that brings you great joy to consider so that your joy might radiate outward while putting the shoe back on her little foot for the fourth time. 

Lent may be a wonderful time to replace something with a daily Mass.  It is worth praying about incorporating a commitment to daily Mass in your rule of life.  (Remember what Monsignor counseled though about it being easier to add something; you may want to put only one extra day in your rule to start.)