Digne, attente, devote - posture of the mass

Wise words by Jean Chautard to really prepare and immerse oneself in the mass

1. DIGNE. A respectful position and bearing, the precise pronunciation of the words, slowing down over the more important parts. It means giving dignity to the liturgy. Careful observance of the rubrics. My tone of voice, the way in which I make signs of the Cross, genuflections, etc.; my body itself: all will go to show not only that I know Whom I am addressing, and what I am saying, but also that my heart is in what I am doing. What an APOSTOLATE I can sometimes exercise. 
- my state of mind and by the dignity of my bearing when I carry out my duties in my capacity as member of the guard of honor of the King of Kings and of the God of all Majesty

2. ATTENTE. My mind will be eager to go foraging through the sacred words and rites in order to get everything that will nourish my heart.
Sometimes my attention will consider the literal sense of the texts, whether I follow every phase or whether, while going on with my recitation of the prayers, I take time to meditate on some word that has struck my attention, until such time as I feel the need to seek the honey of devotion in some other flower. 

At other times, my intellect may occupy itself with the mystery of the day or the principal idea of the liturgical season.

As soon as distractions arise it shall be my will to return to the act of adoration; but I shall make this movement of the will without irritation or harshness, without a sudden violent jerk, but peacefully (since everything that is done with Your aid, Lord Jesus, is peaceful and quiet), yet powerfully (since every genuine desire to co-operate with Your aid, Lord, is powerful and strong).

3. DEVOTE. This is the most important point. Everything comes back to the need of making the mass an act of piety, and, consequently, acts that come from the heart.
“Haste kills all devotion.” Such is the principle laid down by St. Francis de Sales.

Hence. I shall make it a hard and fast rule to devote around half an hour to my MASS in order to ensure a devout recitation not only of the Canon but of all the other parts as well. I shall reject without pity all PRETEXTS for getting through this, the principal act of my day, in a hurry. If I have the habit of mutilating certain words or ceremonies, I shall apply myself, and go over these faulty places very slowly and carefully, even exaggerating my exactitude for a while.



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