How to get the most out of attending virtual Mass

I hope all of you are getting by in these trying times. It is not easy for any of us right now, but if we all take it one day at a time, we will get through this. What I would like to do in this reflection is offer some suggestions as to how you can get the most out of watching mass on television or the computer while you are unable to attend mass in person.

It goes without saying that there is nothing like attending mass at your local church. To be present at the holy sacrifice and receive the Blessed Sacrament in Holy Communion is the greatest thing we can do while we are on this earth. Also, a great benefit of attending mass in person is receiving the priest’s blessing at the end of mass. But right now, all of this is not possible for you. Therefore, while it is not required that you watch mass on television or online, I highly recommend that you do so. While the same graces that you would receive at mass are unavailable, there are still many other graces to be received by prayerful attention to watching mass, meditation on the readings and prayers, and making a good Spiritual Communion.

To get the most out of watching mass, I would like to make the following recommendations. These recommendations are given so that there is some continuity with what you experience normally at your local church, and so that you will be better prepared and still “in the groove” once you are again able to attend mass in person:

1. Watch the mass together as a family, preferably at the time you would normally go to your local parish.
2. Tidy up the area where you will be watching the mass, so that there will be less distractions for you.
3. Silence your phones and other electronic devices.
4. Put your pets in another room so that they do not become a distraction.
5. Put on nice clothes to watch the mass, instead of the clothes you normally wear when lounging around the house.
6. Have a few minutes of silence to collect your thoughts before you push the play button.
7. Say the responses out loud together, and try your best to sing the songs if you know them.
8. After the mass is over, have a few more minutes of silence, meditating on what you saw and heard.
9. Take some time to discuss with each other the readings and the homily.

And you may find some other ways that you can deepen your experience of watching mass on television or online – talk together as a family about what you can do to make it better. While watching the mass on a screen is not the ideal, the more you take it seriously, the deeper the grace you will receive.

God bless,

Fr. Bill Dorner

About the Author

Fr. Bill Dorner has served as OLSH's chaplain since the start of the 2018-2019 school year. He has also served as chaplain at various other schools and universities, and he serves the Diocese as a Tribunal Consultant. Fr. Bill spends a significant amount of time at OLSH, meeting with students, celebrating Mass, and offering the opportunity for confession.