Following the Example of Saints & Martyrs: The Power of Mass

Throughout history, the saints and martyrs have shown us what it means to live a life centered on Christ. These holy men and women understood the supreme importance of the Mass, often risking their lives to attend or celebrate it. Their dedication to the Eucharist and their willingness to suffer for their faith should inspire us to make the Mass a priority in our own lives. If the saints would give everything—even their very lives—for the Mass, how can we neglect it?

The saints were not casual about attending Mass—they recognized it as the most important event of their day, their week, and their lives. St. John Vianney emphasized this when he said:

“If we truly understood the Mass, we would die of joy.”

Why did the saints feel this way? Because they knew that every Mass is a direct encounter with Jesus Christ in the Eucharist. St. Padre Pio described it as:

“The Mass is the infinite value of the Passion of Jesus Christ applied to our souls.”

If the saints centered their lives around the Mass, shouldn’t we do the same?

Many of the early Christians faced persecution and death simply for attending Mass. They refused to abandon the Eucharist, even at the cost of their lives. One of the most powerful examples is St. Tarcisius, a young Roman boy who was killed while protecting the Eucharist from pagan attackers.

Similarly, St. Margaret Clitherow in 16th-century England was executed for sheltering priests who secretly celebrated Mass during Protestant persecution. She famously declared:

“I die for the love of my Lord Jesus.”

When we consider the sacrifices these martyrs made for the Mass, it should deepen our appreciation for the freedom we have to attend Mass today.

The saints recognized that the Mass is not just an earthly gathering—it is a participation in the heavenly banquet. Every time we attend Mass, we join with the angels and saints in worshiping God. The Book of Revelation gives us a glimpse of this eternal liturgy:

“Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, everything in the universe, cry out: ‘To the one who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor, glory and might, forever and ever.’” – (Revelation 5:13)

When we attend Mass, we are not just worshipping alone—we are joining with all of Heaven in adoring God.

The saints faced immense difficulties, but their strength came from the Eucharist. They knew that Christ, present in the Mass, gave them the courage to endure suffering and hardship.

St. Maximilian Kolbe, who was imprisoned in Auschwitz and eventually gave his life for another prisoner, found strength in the Eucharist. Even in the horrors of the concentration camp, he secretly celebrated Mass, bringing Christ to his fellow prisoners. He famously said:

“Without the Eucharist, we would not have the strength to live.”

If the Eucharist could sustain the saints through such intense suffering, it can certainly strengthen us in our daily struggles.

For many Catholics today, skipping Mass has become an easy choice—whether due to busyness, fatigue, or lack of motivation. But for the saints, skipping Mass was unthinkable. They saw it as a grave loss to be absent from the Holy Sacrifice.

St. Peter Julian Eymard once said:

“Hear Mass daily; it will prosper the whole day. If you leave Mass, you leave God’s blessing behind you.”

We should ask ourselves: If the saints prioritized the Mass above all else, why don’t we?

The saints and martyrs show us the immeasurable value of the Mass. They were willing to sacrifice comfort, security, and even their lives to be in the presence of Christ in the Eucharist. If we want to grow in holiness, we must follow their example and make the Mass the center of our lives.

As St. Josemaría Escrivá reminds us:

“Many Christians take their time and have leisure for everything except the one thing that is necessary: their daily and Sunday Mass.”

The next time we consider skipping Mass, let us remember the saints who cherished it more than anything else. Let us follow their example, recognizing that nothing in this world is more important than encountering Christ in the Eucharist.

As Jesus Himself commands:

“Do this in memory of me.” – (Luke 22:19)

Let us respond with love, devotion, and the commitment to never take the gift of the Mass for granted.