Unraveling the Mysteries of Holy Mass, Part 7
by Ray Takacs
Part 7 (11/20/16): “Heaven’s View of Mass”
During the last 6 weeks, we learned that Holy Mass is Heaven on Earth; a participation in the Heavenly Banquet; that every time you go to Mass you go to Heaven. We discovered that at every Mass God is present to us, along with Mary, the angels and the saints. And yet, it is so incredibly hard to wrap our minds around the great mystery of the Mass. What if we could hear Heaven’s view of the Mass? What would Jesus want us to know about the Mass?
As we close this series on the Mass, I present for you the story of Catalina Rivas, of Merida, Mexico. She is said to receive messages from Mary, Jesus and the angels while she participates in Holy Mass. Her writings have the imprimatur of the local Bishop. Imprimatur is translated, “Let it be written” and means that the Bishop (and the Church) approve her writings. Her story is both incredible and enlightening. Catalina offers her testimony for the whole world. She says it is given, “So that those holy men and women consecrated to God will rekindle the fire of their love for Christ. It is also given for others so that they may break loose of the ‘routine practice’ of receiving Him, and relive the amazement of their daily encounter with love.” The following is excerpted from her booklet, The Holy Mass. The complete text is posted on the website www.michaeljournal.org/holymass.htm.
On this day Catalina arrives at Mass a little late. The priests are already coming out of the sacristy. Mary scolds her, “Why must you arrive at the last moment? You should have arrived earlier to be able to pray and ask the Lord to send His Holy Spirit to cleanse you of your worries, your problems and your distractions. . . This is the greatest of Miracles, when the Most High God gives His greatest gift, and you do not know how to appreciate it.”
The moment of the Liturgy of the Word arrives and Mary says, “I want you to be attentive to the readings and the homily. You should try to recall, all day long, those words that have left an impression on you. Savor them for the rest of the day, and let them be a part of you, because that is the way to change your life.”
At the Offertory Catalina explains, “Suddenly some beings, whom I had not seen before, began to stand up. It was as if from the side of each person present, another person emerged. Dressed in very white robes, they started to move toward the altar.” Mary said to her, “Observe. These are the guardian angels of each person at Mass. This is the moment in which your guardian angel carries your offerings and petitions before the Altar of the Lord.”
Some of the angels were carrying golden bowls, filled with a great light. Mary said, “These are the guardian angels of the people who are conscious of the true meaning of this celebration. They have something to offer to the Lord. Offer yourselves at this moment; offer your sorrows, your pains, your hopes, your sadness, your joys, your petitions. Remember that the Mass has infinite value.” Behind the first angels came others who were empty handed. Mary said, “These are the angels of those who are here, but never offer themselves to God.”
At the end of the procession came other angels with their hands joined in prayer, but with eyes downcast and sad. “These are the guardian angels of the people who are only here out of obligation, without any desire to participate in the Holy Mass. . . Do not sadden your guardian angel. Ask for much. Ask for the conversion of sinners, for peace in the world, for your families and friends. Ask for much, not only for yourselves, but for everyone else.”
At the preface as the assembly sang “Holy, Holy, Holy”, everything behind the priest disappeared. Then, at the moment of the Consecration, thousands of angels appeared to the priest’s right, dressed in brilliant white robes. On his left, a multitude of the people appeared dressed in multicolored robes. All were singing together with the people. Mary said, “These are the saints of Heaven, among them are the souls of your relatives who already enjoy the presence of God.” Then, Mary appeared to the right and slightly behind the priest. She was suspended above the floor, kneeling with hands folded in prayer. She said, “It surprises you to see me behind the priest. This is how it should be. I have not been given the gift of the priests to be able to perform the Miracle of bringing my Son to the world.”
Catalina said, “As the priest prayed the words of the Consecration, he grew in stature and became enveloped in brilliant light. Then as he raised the large host the priest took on the features of Jesus, Himself. At that moment, the host began to grow and upon it was the face of Jesus, smiling at all present”. The Virgin Mary said, “This is the miracles of miracles. At the moment of the Consecration, all here are taken to Calvary, at the instant of the Crucifixion.”
At the time to receive Communion, Jesus spoke to Catalina, “The Last Supper was the moment of the greatest intimacy with my own. In establishing the Eucharist, I made myself a prisoner of love, to remain with you until the end of the world and not leave you as orphans.” As the priest prayed the Prayer after Communion, Jesus continued, “I have died for love and I am risen. For love, I await each of you, and for love I remain with you.”
At the Final Blessing, Mary said,
“Be attentive and take care not to do any old sign annunciation instead of the Sign of the Cross. Remember that this blessing could be the last one you ever receive. The consecrated hands of the priest are giving you the blessing in the Name of the Holy Trinity. Therefore, make the Sign of the Cross with respect, as if it was the last one of your life.”
After Mass, Jesus asked Catalina to stay in church with Him a while longer. He spoke to her,
“I am with you as long as you want to have Me with you. If you speak to me all day long, I will listen to you. I am always with you. It is you who leave Me. Oh how many graces are lost by not giving me a place in your life!
Previous week: Communion Rite and Closing