4th Step--Obligatory Weekly Saturday or Sunday Mass
and Weekly Reception of Holy Communion

     Weekly Mass is an obligation for all Catholics, whether they like it or not.  Going to weekend Mass is not an option as some people may think.  It is the 3rd Commandment which says, "Thou shalt keep the Sabbath holy".  The Sabbath for Catholics is on Sunday but Saturday evening Mass also fulfills the Sabbath requirement.  Many single Catholics and other Catholics seem to think that they can skip weekly Mass and that just is not the truth.  All Catholics cannot afford to skip going to Mass because when one does so they are allowing mortal sin to separate them from God.  The only time that people can stay home and not go to Mass is when they are really ill or sick.  If one has a question about whether they can be excused from going to Mass, one should contact a priest as soon as possible, hopefully a few days before Mass, so that the priest can give them some ways in which they may still be able to go to Church and fulfill this requirement.

     Going to Mass should not be thought of as a dreaded obligation.  People should feel happy and blessed to be able to go to Mass and share in the celebration of the Body and Blood of Our Lord Jesus Christ.  As Jesus says, "If you do not eat My Body and Drink My Blood, you will not have life within you.  For my Body is real food and My Blood real drink which has been poured out for you."  When we are in the state of grace, we are allowed to share in the Real Presence of Jesus in the Holy Eucharist each week.  Heaven is brought down to earth for us once a week through Jesus in the Tabernacle and that is truly a cause for happiness in itself. 

     So, if individuals are to rise on the last day of Judgment, they must participate in receiving Holy Communion every week without delay or excuses.  Jesus promised that individuals will be raised on the last day if they participate in the Mass and Holy Communion and they should take this very seriously.  Otherwise, individuals will not have life within them and they will not be able to go to Heaven at the end of their lives, plain and simple.

Go to the 5 Step--Daily Recitation of the Holy Rosary and the Divine Mercy Chaplet>>