Do I benefit from a Mass if I cannot understand well what is being spoken?

Question

I can follow along by pattern, knowing the Mass as well as I do from growing up Catholic. I happen to be listening to the Mass in Polish. I have some comprehension of Russian and Serb, and I can distinguish some words whose common roots help me relate the meaning.

Now I'm listening to the blessing of the Sacraments for the Mass by radio. I know that this is not the same as going physically to a Mass, but certain disabilities and circumstances complicate my attending Mass personally.

Is there any spiritual benefit to listening, if maybe I recall the meaning of the Mass by my memory of it in other languages-- English, Spanish, French, and Latin? Where can I get a missal in Polish, so I can learn the Mass in Polish? Is there a book with the Polish on one page, and the Latin or the English on the opposite page?

Thank you. Djenku je.

Answer 1

Yes you do, because you receive the Body of Christ at communion. As a Catholic, you have received the greatest gift: The Eucharist. If your faith is real and true, then you recive Christ in a real way - a way our fellow Christians who are non-Catholic do not know. Go to: http://www.catholic.com and click on "Sacraments" in the left side-bar, and read more about the Eucharist.

Answer 2

*Is Catholic*

Yes. If you are not attending a Mass but listening to it on the radio, you may participate in the Mass by praying along with it, or paying attention and contemplating (form of meditation) when you cannot understand. Such a participation does not fulfill your need to attend Mass BUT it appears that your disabilities and circumstances probably grant you a dispensation from such a requirement.

THUS it is quite laudable that you would still seek to participate in the Mass and it is VERY good for your soul as you are seeking Christ above and beyond, i.e. approaching a heroic level.

I would like for you to do the following.

1. Make sure a priest knows about your situation and has somebody take the Blessed Sacrament to you.
2. Pray to make a spiritual communion.
3. Pray that you might come to understand this form of the Mass that you have access to.
4. Pray that your sufferings might be united to Christ.

As for the book, what you would be looking for is a Polish Missal with Latin on the opposite pages. They do make these. Check the resources that others gave. However be sure to note if the Mass that you listen to is the newer form or the 1962 form so that you get the correct missal.

God bless you and yes again what you are doing is healthy for your soul.

Answer 3

If you listen to the Mass and are making the responses and prayers -- in any language -- I cannot help but think there are graces received in doing so. Of course it does not take the place of the Sunday obligation, but your disability and circumstances may excuse that anyway.

I occasionally hear a portion of a Mass said on the radio when I am traveling in my car. It is a great comfort and blessing. How much greater it must be for those who cannot attend Mass at all.

There are Polish-English and Polish-Latin missals but they're rather difficult to find on English-language web sites -- there is one on eBay right now, though it is the 1940 missal (mszal).

Your best source may be directly from the Vatican Publishing House; might require a bit of searching at the site but I think they may have such a missal.

http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/institutions_connected/lev/index.htm

Answer 4

You are the only one who can decide if you are getting personal benefit from the mass.

Remember, Jesus said the law (church) was created for man, not man for the law. The question here is how much benefit mass gives YOU. It's NOT over how well you conform to Mass.

Answer 5

talking in tongues has no benefit unless one can understand. the gospel message is to be preached to the entire word then the end will come, obviously Catholics don't want this to happen because they know that they will be in trouble. out of every form of false Christianity Catholics are the most unbiblical and nearly everything they preach is a falsehood. how does a catholic understand revelations chapter 19 I bet they don't. how does a catholic explain that the ten commandments are different in the catholic bible compared to other bibles ..........may the calling of god guide you to his truth and may the veil of spiritual blindness be lifted from you.

Answer 6

The same way that you get benefit from the bible, even though it is written as a meaningless translation. By faith alone can you know god.

Answer 7

you benefit nothing if you dont understand. you need to be hearing the Word of God in a language you understand and surrounded by people who are serious about living and following Jesus Christ and the Word of God.

Answer 8

Not at all.