20 Ways To Make Yourself Appear More Pious During Mass... Or Not.

A word of advice - disregard the following "advice".

advice (n.)

late 13c., auys "opinion," from Old French avis "opinion, view, judgment, idea" (13c.), from phrase ço m'est à vis "it seems to me," or from Vulgar Latin mi est visum "in my view," ultimately from Latin visum, neuter past participle of videre "to see" (from PIE root weid- "to see"). Meaning "opinion offered as worthy to be followed, counsel" is from late 14c.

1. Soon after the homily starts, prop up your chin with one hand and close your eyes as if engaged in intense concentration. Occasionally nod as if making a silent 'amen'.
2. Wear a hair shirt to Mass. (An oldie but a goodie!)
3. Nab the largest Rosary you can find and wear it around your neck.
4. Increase all bows one degree. Instead of a head bow, make a shoulder bow. Instead of a shoulder bow, make a waist bow. Instead of a waist bow, prostrate yourself in the aisle.
5. Say or sing the responses of the Mass with great gusto.
6. Say the responses of the Mass... v-e-r-y s-l-o-w-l-y.
7. Light ten votive candles.
8. Pull your veil over your face and bow your head. (Nab some shut eye after a long night comforting a restless infant. You're forgiven for being exhausted after being up all night.)
9. Bring a massive Bible to Mass and read along during the Lesson and Epistle.
10. Take notes during the homily.
11. Sway back and forth during the Introit and other chants of the Mass.
12. Bring an altar copy of the Missal to Mass and follow along. Feel free to share with a neighbour.
13. Utter gentle exclamations at the end of every sentence of the homily - "Ah" and "Mmm."
14. Bring your own Holy Water to Mass and use it at the beginning of each prayer.
15. Wear three veils, not just one, during Mass.
16. Use a length of rope to flagellate yourself during the Penitential Rite.
17. Bring a large statue of Mary to accompany you in the pew.
18. Conceal a small onion in your pocket, crush it in your hand, rub the corners of your eyes and let the tears flow... as if you're overcome with emotion.
19. With hands held in prayer, stare upward throughout the entire Mass.
20. During Holy Communion, after you return to your pew, recite aloud the Athanasian Creed.
21. Bonus suggestion. Turn on your phone flashlight and place it in such a way that it illuminates your face, so that you appear radiant.

St Matthew 24:24 For false Christs and false prophets will arise and show great signs and wonders, so as to lead astray, if possible, even the elect.

There is a lot of sham advice floating around these days.  Well-intentioned people, young and old, can be ensnared by charlatans who prey on people's fears and need for affirmation.  An endless selection of dead-end cul-de-sacs, i.e., terminating paths or plans or projects, or what-have-you, capture the imaginations and aspirations of vulnerable individuals.  Ideologies of one kind or another that pretend to liberate can and do trap a well meaning seeker in a deadly illusion.

The Church - the Catholic Church, that is - provides a vast library of authentic spiritual practices that dispose the heart and mind to God's action.  Jesus invites the seeker into a saving communion with the Holy Trinity.

Here are a few recommended resources to engage the seeker along the avenue of faith in Jesus Christ.

The Daily Office

Also known as the Divine Office or the Breviary or the Liturgy of the Hours, the Office is the public and communal prayer of the Church, intended to sanctify the different hours of the day through prayer, particularly through the recitation of the word of God (psalms and other scriptural texts). It is a vital aspect of the Church's liturgical life, reflecting the continuous prayer of Christ and His Body, the Church, throughout the day and night (Compendium of the CCC 243; CCC 1174).

• https://dailyoffice.online/

The Holy Rosary

The Holy Rosary is a form of prayer that involves the recitation of specific prayers, primarily the "Our Father" and the "Hail Mary," while meditating on significant events in the life of Jesus Christ and the Virgin Mary, known as the mysteries of the Rosary. The structure of the Rosary consists of a string of beads, typically organized into five decades, with each decade representing a set of ten Hail Marys preceded by an Our Father. This method of prayer allows the faithful to reflect on the life of Christ through the lens of Mary, who is seen as a guide in contemplating these mysteries (A Catechism of Christian Doctrine (The Baltimore Catechism No. 3) 1080, Third Plenary Council of Baltimore; Rosarium Virginis Mariae (On the Most Holy Rosary 1) Pope John Paul II).

Countless saints have recommended the Rosary.

• St. Dominic | Our Lady herself gave St. Dominic the Rosary, which he established in its current form in the 13th century.
• St. John Paul II | The Rosary is my favorite prayer. A marvelous prayer! Marvelous in its simplicity and its depth.
• St. Josemaria Escriva | Because that apparently monotonous way of beseeching Our Lady as children do their Mother, can destroy every seed of vainglory and pride.
• St. Leo XIII | The Rosary is the most excellent form of prayer and the most efficacious means of attaining eternal life.
• St. Louis de Montfort | Never will anyone who says his Rosary every day be led astray.
• St. Pius X | Of all prayers the rosary is the most beautiful and the richest in graces.
• Pope Pius XI | The greatest method of praying is to pray the Rosary.

• https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-rosary-in-a-year-with-fr-mark-mary-ames/id1776236328
• https://rosarycenter.org/

The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises

The Ignatian Spiritual Exercises, developed by St. Ignatius of Loyola in the 16th century, are a series of meditations, prayers, and contemplative practices designed to deepen one's relationship with God and facilitate spiritual growth.  These exercises are structured to guide individuals through a transformative spiritual journey, focusing on self-examination, discernment, and the pursuit of God's will in their lives.

• https://www.jesuitseastois.org/spiritualexercises
• https://store.loyolapress.com/the-spiritual-exercises-of-st-ignatius-revised#pre01

Conclusion

Of course, stay close to Jesus in the Sacred Liturgy, the Mass, and the sacraments, especially the Sacrament of Penance.  The Mass is where heaven and earth meet.

Be wary of individuals and groups that charge a fee for enlightenment or salvation.

A wise spiritual director is worth his weight in gold.  In your quest for meaning, pray that the Holy Spirit may guide you to find a Catholic priest who will speak truth to you and help you navigate your way closer to Jesus and entrance into the Catholic Church, the community established by Jesus Christ.

Heavenly Father, I humbly beseech Thee to send me Thy Holy Spirit to guide me closer to Thee, so that I may know Thee and live and love according to Thy will; grant this, Father, through Jesus Christ our Lord, Who liveth and reigneth with Thee and the Holy Spirit, ever one God, world without end. Amen.