Petitions Before the Blessed Sacrament

Greeting continued:

The Priest's greeting prays that God's Spirit be with us to enable us to take part in liturgical worship and to spread the Gospel throughout the world as we ought to do.

In response to the Priest's greeting, we recognize the Priest as having been ordained to lead in our Eucharistic Celebration, and at the same time, we pray that through the charism or grace he received from the Lord at his ordination, the Priest may faithfully fulfil his vocation in the Church. (Introducing the Third Edition of the Roman Missal, Diocese of Davenport.)

"... By saying 'And with your spirit', the people are acknowledging the Holy Spirit's unique activity through the Priest during the sacred Liturgy by virtue of his ordination." (E. Sri, p. 28.)

And so, we see that the Greeting and Response at Mass is more than just a courteous acknoledgement of each other's presence. Both Greeting and Response are prayers for salvation!

5. Rite of Blessing and Sprinkling of Water:
(To be continued.)

In Australia, May 24 is the Solemnity of Mary, Help of Christians.

Read about this title given to Our Blessed Mother from:
http://www.catholicculture.org/cultu...ate=2013-05-24

A good reminder from Sirach when trials enter our lives:

" My son,
if you come forward to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for temptation.

Set your heart right and be steadfast,
and do not be hasty in time of calamity.

Cleave to him and do not depart,
that you may be honored at the end of your life.

Accept whatever is brought upon you,
and in changes that humble you
be patient.

For gold is tested in the fire,
and acceptable men in the furnace of humiliation.

Trust in him, and he will help you;
make your ways straight,
and hope in him."
(Sirach 2:1-6.)

Here's a beautiful quote from Scripture to meditate upon and make our own prayer:

http://ymlp.com/ziEVIa

I very much agree with you, grateful_child, that acquainting ourselves with the readings of the day is a good way to prepare for Mass. I always read your posts in the thread, Saints and Liturgical Year, under the Spirituality / Catholic Living forum. The posts give me the day's Opening Prayer, the readings and reflection.

Also, might I mention that having the reference to the day's Scripture Readings in your signature is a good way of providing the viewer with a reflection on the day's theme of the Mass.

I also follow what many spiritual writers suggest regarding Our Blessed Mother. She is the best person to ask for help when we prepare for Mass... And specially when it's Holy Communion time, spiritual writers suggest that we ask Our Blessed Lady to help us with our disposition, that we may receive Our Lord with a disposition akin to Our Blessed Mother's ...

More on Our Blessed Mother's help to prepare us for Holy Mass:
http://forums.catholic.com/showthrea...9#post10303469

Today, May 19, is the Solemnity of Pentecost.

Happy feast to all! May the Holy Spirit inundate our lives with His gifts and with all the graces that we need at this time of our life.

Come, Holy Spirit, we need You!