a) What is the Holy Mass and Holy Communion?
The Mass is the renewal in an unbloody manner of the Paschal Mystery, that is, the passion, death, and resurrection of Jesus. It is the greatest prayer that we can offer to God, and the center and root of our Christian life, through which we receive abundant graces from God.
In Holy Communion, we receive Jesus Christ himself, who is truly present in the consecrated host and wine in his body, blood, soul, and divinity. He is the source of our spiritual life, thus we should approach him with confidence and ask him to make us better persons. We should also confess all mortal sins before receiving Holy Communion, since God wants us to receive him with a clean soul.
b) How do we live the Holy Mass and Holy Communion?
An Altar Server should be very attentive during the Mass, seeing to it that he does his part well especially when he serves. He may offer the Mass for his family and friends, for the Pope, Bishops, Priests, and members of the consecrated life; for the souls in purgatory; for the conversion of sinners; and in thanksgiving for all that God has given him. If possible, an Altar Server should try to attend Mass daily, whether it is his turn to serve or not, and invite his friends to do the same.
After receiving Holy Communion, we may spend a few minutes thanking the Lord for all his graces, and asking him for his help. During the day, we can say many spiritual communions (see Appendix) to continue asking God’s grace. There are some preparatory and thanksgiving prayers for Holy Communion (see Appendix) to make ourselves better disposed when receiving our Lord.