Throughout the history of the Church, the Holy Spirit has made many Christians holy by leading them to pray the Mass frequently or daily. However, when daily communicants didn't appear that holy, the practice of daily Mass waned, and the Church weakened.

Many of you reading this book pray the Mass daily or at least frequently. If your holy Masses make you holy, the practice of daily Mass will grow, and the Church will become stronger. If, however, you are not holy, a de-emphasis of daily Mass may well contribute to the Church being further victimized by the culture of death.

Your holy Masses will probably make you holy if you listen to God's word at Mass, take it to heart, and yield a great harvest (Mk 4:20). For example, after God's word burned in the hearts of the two disciples on the road to Emmaus, they recognized the risen Christ in the breaking of the bread (Lk 24:30ff). We too will probably recognize Christ and become holy as He is holy, if we let God's word penetrate our hearts. Thus, Jesus warns us to guard against choking God's word by "anxieties over life's demands, and the desire for wealth, and cravings of other sorts" (Mk 4:19). Guard and mortify your senses and worldly desires. Don't be an example of the non-importance of daily Mass. Rather, be an example of eucharistic holiness.

Nihil Obstat:  Reverend Robert A. Stricker, June 23, 2003

Imprimatur:  †Most Reverend Carl K. Moeddel, Vicar General and Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, June 26, 2003