Unveiling the Spiritual Riches of the Mass
By John Graveline, Director of Parish Life
September 13, 2026
“They said one to another, ‘Were not our hearts burning inside us as he talked to us on the road and explained the Scriptures to us?’ . . . Then they recounted what had happened on the road and how they had come to know him in the breaking of the bread.”
Luke 24:32, 35
It has been inspiring for me to reflect upon the 16 Documents of Vatican II with you over the summer as we began our observance of the Year of the Holy Spirit here in the Diocese of Saginaw. A large part of the idea was to connect spiritually with Pope Leo, who has been reflecting on the documents of Vatican II at his weekly Wednesday teachings. He’s been going at a much slower pace. Since January, he began with the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy—which was the first document promulgated by Vatican II—and he is still reflecting upon it. I would highly recommend exploring these Wednesday audiences on the Vatican website. His gentle wisdom and balanced pastoral approach really shine forth.
As I continue to reflect upon Vatican II’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the fundamental importance of liturgy, especially the Eucharistic liturgy—the Mass—impresses itself upon me. “The liturgy is the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed; it is also the fount from which all her power flows.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 10) It is at Mass that we encounter our Lord Jesus Christ and are offered his gift of eternal life right here and now. “Our Savior instituted the eucharistic sacrifice of his Body and Blood. He did this in order to perpetuate the sacrifice of his Cross throughout the ages until he should come again, and so to entrust to his beloved Spouse, the Church, a memorial of his death and resurrection: a sacrament of love, a sign of unity, a bond of charity, a paschal banquet in which Christ is consumed, the mind is filled with grace, and a pledge of future glory is given to us.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 47)
Our liturgical worship does not bear the fruit it is capable of in our lives magically or as if by osmosis.
However, our liturgical worship does not bear the fruit it is capable of in our lives magically or as if by osmosis. “But in order that the liturgy may be able to produce its full effects, it is necessary that the faithful come to it with proper dispositions, that their minds be attuned to their voices, and that they cooperate with heavenly grace lest they receive it in vain.” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, no. 11) This is why it is so important to fully, consciously, and actively participate in the Mass. It is the unique place where God’s saving work and our work of praise and worship come together for our salvation and the salvation of the whole world. We are then called to receive the graces available to us at Mass and bear the fruit of love, truth, compassion, and reconciliation in our community, nation, and world that so desperately need of Christ’s peace.
As we are now enjoying the last days of summer and starting our fall schedules, school and faith formation are back in session, and we enter a second season of this Year of the Holy Spirit, it is most fitting that we ask ourselves as a parish, “Is the celebration of the Eucharist the source and summit, the irreplaceable center of our parish life?” Likewise, each one of us personally are invited to ask, “Is the Mass the source and summit, the fundamental touchstone of the spiritual life of myself and my household?”
The first step is to make attendance at Mass the priority of our weekend around which every other activity or recreation is scheduled, as health allows. There are so many great ministries going on at our parish every day: those in need of assistance for food, clothing, heat or cooling, and shelter are given assistance; prayers are offered for those in healing and strength; children, youth, and adults deepen their faith through bible studies and other faith formation offerings, praise is given to God and the community is inspired through beautiful music, people who are lonely or seeking connection find hospitality here, those who are grieving are comforted, and so much more. However, attendance at Mass is much lower than it should be week-to-week for a parish of our size.
Here are a few suggestions I would like to propose to make the Mass the center of parish it should be.
1. Commit to coming every weekend
Commit to attendance at weekend Mass, actively participating through engaged listening, prayer, lively responses and singing, and a conscious disposition to encounter Christ in each other, in the prayers of the priest, in the Scripture readings, and especially in the Eucharist. So much of this is building the habit. I remember listening to a radio show where the host would ask listeners to give the show two weeks before passing judgement on it. In that spirit, I ask that you commit to making the parish celebration of Mass the priority of your household calendar for two months, between now and Thanksgiving. See what effect this has on your life and on the life of your household.
2. Consider coming one day during the week
If Sunday Mass is already your practice, consider participating in Mass one other day of the week. Eucharist is celebrated every day of the week at Assumption except on Monday. Wednesday evening is a great opportunity to “charge your spiritual batteries.” We conclude 6:30 p.m. Mass with Exposition and Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament. This quiet “holy hour” is a time to be “heart to heart” with Jesus present in the Eucharist. This is a life-changing practice.
3. Request a Mass intention
At Mass, the priest has a special and unique role in offering the Paschal Sacrifice of Jesus’ death and resurrection. While we all offer our sacrifice of praise united with the offering of the priest, the priest may offer a particular Mass for a requested intention. These intentions are published in the bulletin and remembered by the priest during the Mass. Often a small donation is made for these Mass intentions (around $10), but no intention request is ever turned away when no donation is offered. This ensures that we never give the appearance that people are “paying” for spiritual benefits or consideration. Many Masses are offered at Assumption parish without a stated intention. All are strongly encouraged to contact the parish office or use the envelopes provided on the Welcome Circle (completed envelopes can be placed in the collection basket) to request a Mass intention, especially for friends and family members who are deceased.
4. Bring forward the gifts
Since at Mass we offer our entire selves: our lives, our loved ones, the work of our daily labors, etc. along with the bread and wine destined to be changed into the Body and Blood of Christ, it is a special privilege to bring forth the bread, wine, and sacrificial offerings at the beginning of the Liturgy of the Eucharist. Over the past couple of years, we’ve placed a book on the Welcome Circle so that people can sign up to bring forward the gifts. All households are strongly encouraged to sign up at least once a year for this beautiful way of participating in the Mass.
Often, we hear that people find Mass to be repetitive week-to-week or they say, “I don’t get anything out of the Mass.” However, this gets things backwards. When we approach Mass not for what we “get out” of it, but rather with the attitude of what we can give, the Mass truly becomes an encounter with Christ, who came not to be served but to serve, and we begin to find its spiritual riches unveiled and our lives transformed week-by-week. Let us as a parish and each one of us personally ensure that the Mass is the source and summit of our spiritual life, for our benefit and the benefit of the entire world.
John