Mass Testimonial

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Testimonial by Archbishop Felix Gibbins

As I look back on my years in ministry and my journey of faith, one of the most transformative practices I have embraced is taking ten or fifteen quiet minutes before Mass to prepare my heart. This time of preparation, steeped in the spiritual wisdom of the Camaldolese tradition—a branch of the Benedictine brotherhood founded by St. Romuald—has taught me that the silence of the heart is where God speaks most clearly.

There is an unparalleled gift in stepping away from the busyness of life, even briefly, to retreat inward and listen. In those moments of quiet before Mass, I have often experienced a profound sense of God's presence, as though the stillness itself becomes a sacred space where my soul is drawn closer to Him. The Camaldolese spirituality has long emphasized this silence—not as an absence of noise, but as a fullness of awareness, a doorway into communion with the Divine.

I encourage you, dear brothers and sisters, to approach Mass with the same intention. The Eucharist is the source and summit of our faith, but the depth of our encounter with Christ in the Blessed Sacrament is shaped by how we prepare our hearts. When we take time beforehand to reflect, pray, and settle into the sacred, the entire experience of the liturgy becomes richer and more meaningful. Scripture speaks to us more clearly, prayers flow with greater sincerity, and the presence of Christ in the Eucharist resonates in every fiber of our being.

In these quiet moments of preparation, let yourself be guided by simple but transformative practices:

Pause and Reflect: Close your eyes and breathe deeply. Ask God to help you leave behind the distractions and worries of the day. Reflect on what you bring to this moment—your joys, your struggles, your hopes—and place them in His hands.
Examine Your Conscience: Spend a few minutes considering where you need God's forgiveness and grace. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal areas where you can grow in love and humility. Even a brief examination can open your heart to receive the Blessed Sacrament with gratitude and openness.
Invite the Holy Spirit: Pray for the Spirit to guide you through the Mass. Ask for clarity in the Word, peace in the prayers, and a deeper awareness of Christ's real presence in the Eucharist.

This time of preparation is not simply a duty; it is a gift to yourself. It creates a sacred pause in a busy world and allows you to encounter the Mass not as an obligation, but as a living, breathing source of grace. You will find that the stillness you cultivate before Mass carries into the liturgy itself. The hymns, the readings, the prayers—they all come alive, and the Eucharist becomes not just something you receive, but Someone you encounter.

Let this practice of preparation become a cherished part of your faith. In those quiet minutes, you will meet the gentle whisper of God and ready your heart to receive the transformative gifts of the Blessed Sacrament. May this time be a wellspring of peace and renewal for you, as it continues to be for me.

In the sacred silence, may you find the presence of Christ waiting to fill your heart with His grace and guide you into deeper communion with Him.

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