I quietly slipped into the basement chapel down at Marquette, Gesu. They were having a noon Mass and I had never gone to Mass before. I slipped in. I sat down in the back pew. I didn't kneel. I didn't genuflect, I wouldn't stand. I was an observer; I was there to watch. But I was surprised when 40, 50, 60, 80, or 100 ordinary folk just walked in off the street for midday Mass, ordinary folk who just came in, genuflected, knelt and prayed. Then a bell rang and they all stood up and Mass began. I had never seen it before.From the Scott Hahn conversion storyThe Liturgy of the Word was so rich, not only the Scripture readings. They read more Scripture, I thought, in a weekday Mass than we read in a Sunday service. But their prayers were soaked with Biblical language and phrases from Isaiah and Ezekiel. I sat there saying, "Man, stop the show, let me explain your prayers. That's Zechariah; that's Ezekiel. Wow! It's like the Bible coming to life and dancing out on the center stage and saying, "This is where I belong."
Then the Liturgy of the Eucharist began. I watched and listened as the priest pronounced the words of consecration and elevated the host. And I confess, the last drop of doubt drained away at that moment. I looked and said, "My Lord and my God." As the people began going forward to receive communion, I literally began to drool, "Lord, I want you. I want communion more fully with you. You've come into my heart. You're my personal Savior and Lord, but now I think You want to come onto my tongue and into my stomach, and into my body as well as my soul until this communion is complete."
And as soon as it began, it was over. People stuck around for a minute or two for thanksgiving and then left. And eventually, I just walked out and wondered, what have I done? But the next day I was back, and the next, and the next...
The bread and wine used by Jesus did not turn into His body and blood .. it remained bread and wine.
“How a Non-Catholic respectfully communes at Mass”(Bush At St Louis)
Giving to God in Mass [Liturgy of the Eucharist]
The New Order of the Mass takes its next step on Monday
Archbishop Burke, Bishop Rifan comment: Will classical liturgy aid reunion with Eastern Orthodox?
Australian Bishops approve new English translation of the mass
Pope Against Pop Music In Mass
Liturgy changes for U.S. Catholics (some clarifications)
Bishops to vote on new Order of Mass in English
"Anything But 'Dew'!" (follow up on the USCCB liturgy discussions)
The Votes Are In! And the Winner Is .... (USCCB meeting on revisions to the Latin liturgy)
Liturgy translation tops (Catholic) bishops' agenda for L.A. meeting
Teach Us! [About the True Presence -- Summit of the Mass, Holy Communion]
Yes to the Mass "with the back to the people"
I hope you have read Scott Hahn's beautiful book on the Mass. " The Lamb's Sacrifice". He rightly points out that the Mass can be found in the Book of Revelations.