The Lord Jesus Christ has given us the seven Sacraments as the visible signs of the grace of God. Each Sacrament gives us particular graces, rightly referred to as sacramental grace. From our birth to our last moments here on earth, we are blessed by God through these Sacraments.
The Eucharist, the Sacrament of the Body and Blood of Christ, stands as the central Sacrament in the Church. This is because Christ Himself is given and received in the form of the consecrated Bread and Wine. Furthermore, the Church teaches that the Eucharist is the fount and summit of our Catholic life. Therefore, all the work and mission of the Church are from and directed toward it.
Christ willed to remain with us through this Sacrament in His infinite goodness. He gave His disciples the commandment to “Do this in remembrance of me.” (Luke 22:19; also 1 Corinthians 11:24). Through our bishops, the successors of the Apostles, in participation of the priests, this commandment of Christ is being carried out throughout the whole world.
We have participated in this holiest Sacrament of the Eucharist. We have been nourished by the Word of God in the Scriptures. We have received Christ Himself in Holy Communion. Therefore, as we are about to leave the confines of the church, let us offer some moments to thank the Lord for having been able to participate in the celebration of the liturgy.
Prayer after attending Holy Mass
Lord God, our heavenly Father, I praise and thank You for the gift of Your Son’s Body and Blood in the Sacrament of the Eucharist. Through this Sacrament, we receive Christ Himself – Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity. Through this Sacrament, we become one Body in Christ. Through this Sacrament, we receive a foretaste of the heavenly liturgy.
Lord, thank You for today. Thank You for the opportunity to take part in the celebration of the holy sacrifice of the Mass. I am truly and sincerely grateful for the blessing of receiving the Body of Christ. At the same time, I am honored to partake in fraternal communion with the whole Body of Christ, the Church.
Dear God, as I stay in prayer after the Mass, please help me to better understand Your love and the gift of salvation that Christ has won for us all. Help me to immerse myself in Your Word as I ponder the readings and the homily. May I always appreciate all the blessings You have graciously given me. May I always be aware and assured of Your presence in my life.
Lord, I humbly beg Your pardon and forgiveness for whatever known and hidden sins I may have committed. Please grant me the grace to live a life of repentance and holiness and repair any hurts I may have inflicted on others.
I pray for the Church that She may continue to become a source of hope, compassion, and mercy to everyone who seeks Her and that She may continue to be a light in the world. May the Holy Spirit lead Her leaders, and may we always uphold Your teachings.
I also pray for all those suffering, the sick, the poor, the oppressed, and the lonely. Grant them strength, hope, and comfort. May they feel Your healing presence, and may Your love and mercy be upon them.
Lord, I ask for Your protection and guidance for myself, my family, my friends, and all those dear to me. Please help us to walk in the path of righteousness and to be faithful and obedient to Your will.
We ask all these through Your Son and our Savior, Jesus Christ, in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever. Amen.
Short prayer after Mass
Lord God, thank You for this Mass and the grace of having partaken of the Body and Blood of Christ our Lord. Help me in carrying the love and joy of Christ throughout the day. May I constantly be reminded of Your presence in my life. May I always strive to be a living example of Your love to the rest of the world. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
The Word of God
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, blessed and broke it, and gave it to them. Then their eyes were opened, and they recognized him, and he vanished from their sight. They said to each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while he was talking to us on the road, while he was opening the scriptures to us?”
Luke 24:30-32 NRSVUE
Prayer to Saint Tarcisius after attending Mass
Dear Saint Tarcisius, your deep love, and dedication to the Eucharist have given me profound appreciation and admiration. Aware of the great mystery of Christ’s presence in the Eucharist, you were prepared to sacrifice your life to prevent the Sacrament from being profaned. Your courage and faith still serve as an example to us.
I pray to you today with a heart overflowing with gratitude for the gift of the Mass, where we have the honor of receiving the Body and Blood of Christ. I give thanks to God for this act of love and to you for praying for the Eucharist and guarding it.
I humbly pray, Saint Tarcisius, to help me increase my adoration and honor for the Eucharist. Help me to always approach this Sacrament with the highest reverence and respect and to acknowledge the great privilege of receiving Christ’s Body and Blood. May I worthily receive Him. May I live a holy life worthy of receiving God’s love and grace.
Saint Tarcisius, I beseech you for direction and protection as I continue to live a holy life and bear testimony to the love of Christ in the world. Help me to uphold the faith with courage and faithfulness, especially in the face of hostility or retribution. May your steadfastness and dedication to the Eucharist serve as an example so that I may love and serve Christ more and more.
Saint Tarcisius, brave defender of the Eucharist, pray for us. Amen.
Further reflection
The value of prayer after attending Mass cannot be emphasized enough. The Mass is an opportunity to meet Christ, partake of His most holy Body and Blood, and join in communion with the whole body of Christ.
The faithful leave the Mass with a sense of thanksgiving, joy, and a desire to carry on praying to God. After the liturgical celebration of the Mass, the faithful can maintain this encounter with Christ through prayer. It is an effective way to praise God, ask for forgiveness, and make supplications.
Our spiritual life should include prayer after the Mass. It extends the experience with Christ beyond the liturgical celebration, increasing our faith and developing our connection with God. It is a moment to give thanks, ask for forgiveness, pray, and intercede on behalf of other people. To strengthen our relationship with God and to be a source of grace for others, we should always set aside time for prayer after the Mass.
