Part 4 of the Mass: He Who Sings Prays Twice!

Do you like to sing Cloë? Because I sure do. In fact, I think that is one of my favourite things about going to Mass.

I agree with you Tallulah, I really enjoy the music too. And this brings us to the next part of the Mass.

After everyone has arrived at the church, has blessed themselves with the Holy Water, has said hello to Jesus by genuflecting and then had a little chat with God, it's finally time to start the Mass! Mass always starts with the Entrance Antiphon or with a song.

The Entrance what?!

The Entrance Antiphon! It is the very first thing that is said as Mass begins. They are often a line taken from the Bible that gives you a bit of an idea about the readings for the day. It can also be a short line about the Saint of the day.

On Sundays the Entrance Antiphon is often replaced by a song.

Just like a concert!

Actually Tallulah, this is not a concert, at least not for the people in the church. But I guess you could say it's like a concert for God.

So that means everybody should be singing right Cloë, even if you don't have the best singing voice.

Exactly Tallulah! In fact it is often said that "he who sings prays twice". Remember most churches have a hymnal, a book that has all the songs in it, in case you don't know the words. Here is a song from the folks at CatChat that you can practice singing along to!

(youtube link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fykKL_yzkgI)

So make sure to sing your heart out at Mass on Sunday and if you hear something that sounds like howling it's the two of us joining in with the singing.

That last thing we want to mention today is about our friend Alex. Alex is having some tough times these days because the medicine he has to take is making him feel quite sick.

So we want to keep sending him lots of positive good thoughts and prayers.

Also we want to make sure he knows about St. Peregrine. Peregrine had a terrible time with cancer and the doctors thought he would not get better. But he prayed to Jesus and he also asked Mary to pray for him and he got better. So he has become known as the saint for those who have cancer. So Alex you've got someone up there in Heaven!

This nice picture of St. Peregine was painted by Sallie Thayer. You can see more saints on her blog.

And the rest of us can also pray to St. Peregrine to ask him to help Alex (and anyone else who has cancer).

St Peregrine -- Prayer for A Cancer Patient

O great St. Peregrine, you have been called "The Mighty", "The Wonder Worker" because of the numerous miracles which you obtained from God for those who have turned to you in their need. For so many years, you bore in your own flesh this cancerous disease that destroys the very fibre of our being. You turned to God when the power of human beings could do no more, and you were favoured with the vision of Jesus coming down from His cross to heal your affliction. I now ask God to heal this sick person whom I entrust to you. (NAME) Aided by your powerful intercession, I shall sing with Mary a hymn of gratitude to God for His great goodness and mercy. Amen.

Bye for now! Woof

Cloë and Tallulah