Aug 1 Tue
Nine Tips to Help You Stay Focused at Mass

1. Turn off music streaming and the car radio on the way to Mass.

2. Get to Mass at least 10 minutes early. By clearing out your mind on the way to Mass and making room for silence, you have already taken steps to prepare yourself for prayer. Deepen that preparation by spending at least a few minutes in quiet prayer before Mass begins. Remind yourself that you are now in the presence of God, that you are about to receive Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament, and thank Him for this gift.

3. Sit closer to the front. It is much easier to stay focused on what is happening there. You will also be less distracted by what is happening in the pews around you.

4. Posture is very important to prayer. Let your body remind you of what your heart and mind want to be doing by keeping yourself in a reverent position. There is a reason why we teach this to kids! Try it, and you’ll probably find that it helps lessen your distractions.

5. Fully participate in the Mass. Mass is not an event to watch. It is a Sacrifice to participate! Say the prayers and answers of the faithful. Sing the songs with all. If it helps, follow along with each part of the Mass using a Missal.

6. Bring back those wandering thoughts. Mass is the place where heaven meets earth. Each time you are distracted, bring your mind back to where you are, even if you have to do this 100 times from start to finish.

7. Intentionally add your intentions and sacrifices to the prayers of the Mass.

8. Memorize the “Anima Christi” prayer. It is a beautiful prayer dating back to the Middle Ages. Pray it to keep your mind focused on what Christ is doing in your soul at your reception of Holy Communion. Do it every day and you will have it memorized:

Soul of Christ, sanctify me.
Body of Christ, save me.
Blood of Christ, inebriate me.
Water from the side of Christ, wash me.
Passion of Christ, strengthen me.
O good Jesus, hear me.
Within your wounds conceal me.
Do not permit me to be parted from you.
From the evil foe protect me.
At the hour of my death call me.
And bid me come to you,
to praise you with all your saints
for ever and ever.
Amen.

9. Ask for help –from your guardian angel– to keep focused on the action that is going on: with Christ (through the ministry of the priest) and with the entire Church you are making sacramentally present his sacrifice, offering it to God the Father.