This is the toughest holy day of obligation for many people. I remember when I was younger it always seemed like cruel and unusual punishment to make us go to Mass the morning after the biggest party night of the year.

Notice at the time I didn’t question my partying ways, I questioned whether the Church was cruel for making us go to Mass the night after my partying. I guess my partying was the given and the Church needed to build its calendar around my life. Or at least schedule afternoon masses.

But as you get older I’ve seen it as a wonderful day and a great reason to pray:

O God, who through the fruitful virginity of Blessed Mary bestowed on the human race the grace of eternal salvation, grant, we pray, that we may experience the intercession of her, through whom we were found worthy to receive the author of life, our Lord Jesus Christ, your Son. Who lives and reigns with you in the unity of the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever.