“In the presence of Jesus in the Holy Sacrament we ought to be like the Blessed in heaven before the Divine Essence,” – St. Teresa of Avila
My mom and dad had a strong belief in the real presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist.
1. We never arrived late to Mass and my dad made sure we got there at least 5 minutes before Mass started.
2. From the moment my parents walked in the Church doors, they were in a different zone. They dipped their hands in the holy water, made a reverent genuflection and knelt down to pray in silence. My mom brought out her rosary and my dad put his hands to his head to block out distractions. This was not a time for socializing or catching up with friends (coffee and donuts after Mass provided that opportunity)
3. We never left Mass early and they were not in a hurry to get out. They would often kneel to pray a little more, and after another reverent genuflection, we would leave the Church in silence.
