For Roman Catholics, the Mass is sacred. It is a time to focus on Jesus Christ and His call for each one of us to follow Him into salvation, which is accomplished through receiving His Real Presence in our lives by way of the Sacrament of Holy Communion. And even though the Mass is a singular sacred celebration, there are both distinct parts of the Mass and a hierarchy of sacredness among the various parts of the Mass. Let’s take a quick run through the Mass as a refresher:

Are we required to make the sign of the cross when we pass by a Catholic church? This simple gesture—often done almost out of habit—carries a profound meaning of faith and reverence. Many Catholics do this act consciously. Crossing oneself in front of a church is not an empty tradition but an act of respect and recognition of Christ’s real presence in the Tabernacle