Gus reads an email he got recently from a listener who tells him that he's going back to mass for the first time in about 30 years. He says he doesn't know how to pray before mass and asks his advice. Since there's no formula for pre-mass prayers, Gus invites listeners to call in and share how they pray before mass.
Later, Fr. Leo Patalinghug calls in. He and Gus talk about prayer before mass and Fr. Leo offers some pointers, his four-part mass series called "Teaching Mass," the news of another priest who baptized thousands of people incorrectly over the last 20 years or so and getting back to traveling. He and Gus also preview their Rhine River cruise in May which looks like will happen.
I found a great prayer for before Mass from St Ambrose:
Lord Jesus Christ, I approach your banquet table in fear and trembling, for I am a sinner, and dare not rely on my own worth, but only on your goodness and mercy. I am defiled by many sins in body and soul, and by my unguarded thoughts and words. Gracious God of majesty and awe, I seek your protection, I look for your healing. Poor troubled sinner that I am, I appeal to you, the fountain of all mercy. I cannot bear your judgment, but I trust in your salvation. Lord, I show my wounds to you and uncover my shame before you. I know my sins are many and great, and they fill me with fear, but I hope in your mercies, for they cannot be numbered. Lord Jesus Christ, eternal king, God, and man, crucified for mankind, look upon me with mercy and hear my prayer, for I trust in you. Have mercy on me, full of sorrow and sin, for the depth of your compassion never ends. Praise to you, saving sacrifice, offered on the wood
of the cross for me and for all mankind. Praise to the noble and precious blood, flowing from the wounds of my crucified Lord Jesus Christ and washing away the sins of the whole world. Remember, Lord your creature, whom you have redeemed with your blood; I repent my sins, and I long to put right what I have done. Merciful Father, take away all my offenses and sins; purify me in body and soul, and make me worthy to taste the holy of holies. May your body and blood, which I intend to receive, although I am unworthy, be for me the remission of my sins, the washing away of my guilt, the end of my evil thoughts, and the rebirth of my better instincts. May it incite me to do the works pleasing to you and profitable to my health in body and soul, and be a firm defense against the wiles of my enemies. Amen…
Dear Gus,
I came across this prayer years ago. Hope you like it. It begins by stating:
"By assisting devoutly at Mass, we render the sacred humanity of Our Lord the greatest homage. He makes up for many negligence’s and omissions. We should pray like this at the beginning of Mass: ‘O most just God, with contrite heart and steadfast hope, I lay my sins upon this sacred altar, in order that they may be consumed by the flames of Your divine Charity, purged away by the Precious Blood of Jesus, and fully atoned for by His infinite merits. Amen.’ "
Have a great day!