Episode 2468: Attending Mass with the Sorrowful Mother - Nightly Episode

“O my God, at the end of this day I thank You most heartily for all the graces I have received from You. I am sorry that I have not made better use of them. I am sorry for all the sins I have committed against You. Forgive me, O my God, and graciously protect me this night. Blessed Virgin Mary, my dear heavenly mother, take me under your protection. St. Joseph, my dear Guardian Angel, and all you saints in heaven, pray for me. Sweet Jesus, have pity on all poor sinners, and save them from hell. Have mercy on the suffering souls in purgatory. Amen”
Attending Mass with the Sorrowful Mother and Seeking the Guidance of St. Michael
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Tonight, we will contemplate two powerful devotions that can deepen our spiritual life: attending Mass with the heart of the Sorrowful Mother, as encouraged by St. Padre Pio, and invoking the protection and guidance of St. Michael the Archangel, as prayed by St. Aloysius Gonzaga.
These two spiritual practices remind us of the importance of entering deeply into the mysteries of our faith and seeking heavenly assistance on our journey toward salvation. As we reflect on these devotions, let us open our hearts to the grace that God desires to pour into our lives.
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Attending Mass with the Heart of the Sorrowful Mother
St. Padre Pio, the humble Capuchin friar who bore the stigmata of Christ, was deeply devoted to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. He once said, “If you want to assist at Mass, with devotion and with fruit, think of the sorrowful Mother at the feet of Calvary.” This simple yet profound advice calls us to unite our hearts with the Blessed Virgin Mary as she stood by the Cross of her Son, Jesus Christ.
At every Mass, the sacrifice of Calvary is made present in an unbloody manner. When we attend Mass, we are standing at the foot of the Cross with Our Lady. Just as she offered her sorrow and suffering in union with Christ’s sacrifice, we too are called to unite our own joys, sorrows, and intentions with the Eucharistic offering.
Mary’s example shows us how to participate in the Mass with true devotion. She did not run away from the suffering of Calvary but embraced it with love, knowing that through it, salvation was being won for the world. In the same way, we are called to bring our whole selves—our struggles, our pain, and our hopes—to the altar, offering them to God in union with the perfect sacrifice of His Son.
By meditating on the sorrowful Mother during Mass, we can enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s Passion and experience the fruits of the Eucharist in our lives. As we behold the Lamb of God, who takes away the sins of the world, we can find strength, peace, and healing in the sacrament that gives us life.
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Seeking the Protection of St. Michael
In this world, we face many spiritual dangers, just as the Israelites faced physical dangers during their journey through the desert. St. Aloysius Gonzaga, a young Jesuit saint known for his purity and dedication to God, recognized the need for divine assistance in our spiritual battles. In one of his prayers, he invoked the aid of St. Michael the Archangel, saying, “Come, O unconquerable Saint Michael, to the assistance of my soul! For it is continually attacked and assailed, assaulted and imperiled, by its enemies—namely, the flesh, the world, and the devil.”
St. Michael, who led the heavenly armies in the battle against Satan, is a powerful intercessor in our spiritual struggles. Just as he defended the people of Israel in the desert, he now stands ready to protect us as we journey through the desert of this world. We live in a world that often opposes the values of our faith, and our souls are constantly under attack by temptations from within and without.
In his prayer, St. Aloysius Gonzaga asks St. Michael to be a faithful leader and companion on this journey. He recognizes that we cannot make it to our heavenly homeland on our own; we need the assistance of heavenly friends like St. Michael to guide us safely through the dangers of this life.
By regularly invoking St. Michael’s protection, we can find the strength to resist the temptations of the flesh, the world, and the devil. We can trust that, with his help, we will one day reach the joyful land of the living—the eternal glory of heaven—for which we all yearn as poor, banished exiles.
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Conclusion
As we reflect on today’s themes, let us take to heart the advice of St. Padre Pio and attend Mass with the sorrowful Mother at the foot of Calvary. By uniting our hearts with hers, we can enter more deeply into the mystery of Christ’s sacrifice and experience the transforming power of the Eucharist in our lives.
Let us also seek the guidance and protection of St. Michael the Archangel as we navigate the spiritual battles we face in this world. With his help, we can persevere on our journey toward heaven, confident that we are never alone in our struggles.
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Closing Prayer
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
Heavenly Father,
We thank You for the gift of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and for the example of the Blessed Virgin Mary, who teaches us how to unite our lives with the offering of Your Son. Help us to attend Mass with the same devotion and love that she had as she stood at the foot of the Cross.
We also ask for the protection of St. Michael the Archangel in our daily battles against the flesh, the world, and the devil. Lead us safely through the desert of this life and guide us to our true homeland in heaven, where we will rejoice with You forever.
Through Christ our Lord.
Amen.
St. Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle!
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.