A Quotable Guide to Attending Holy Mass

Perhaps I have too much time on my hands, though the Lord knows I don't!  But I nonetheless present to you, the reader, a quotable guide to the Mass.  It goes through the major parts of the Mass, with advice from saints and others on how to be present for it.  I have taken the liberty of quoting a few Protestant and Eastern Orthodox figures as well, where I thought their quotes were fitting.  Without further ado:

Part 1 - The Introductory Rites

"As you enter the church you should humble yourself profoundly in your heart, seeing yourself as most unworthy of entering the house of God, of appearing before His face, of taking part in such a great mystery, which contains in itself all the mysteries and all the wonders of heaven and earth.  This awareness of your nothingness and sins should create in you a spirit of penance, humiliation and contrition at the beginning of Mass."
-St. John Eudes, The Life and Kingdom of Jesus in Christian Souls, XXIV

"From the beginning until the priest goes up to the altar make your preparation with him.  This consists in placing yourself in the presence of God, recognizing your unworthiness, and asking pardon for your sins."
-St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, II:14

"Every Christian ought to believe what the Master, Jesus, on Holy Thursday ordained and instituted the holy sacrament of the Mass, to the holy apostles present, and he commanded them that they were to do the same with great reverence and perpetual memorial, according to what St. Luke says (Lk 22:19), and St. Paul to the Corinthians: "Do this in memory of me,"  (1 Cor 11:24) Namely: you should want to recall and remember devoutly, by hearing Mass, the entire blessed life of Jesus Christ."

-St. Vincent Ferrer, "A Very Devout Contemplation Which Includes the Whole Lifetime of Jesus Christ Our Savior from the Parts of the Mass"

"On Sundays she used to think about the resurrection, as if each one were Easter Morning.  She was also so filled within with eternal life that the whole expanse of time was much too short for her and she could not restrain herself from rejoicing."
-Edifying Points of the Older Sisters, "Sister Gese Broekelants"

On singing:

"IV.  Sing lustily and with a good courage. Beware of singing as if you were half dead, or half asleep; but lift up your voice with strength ...

V.  Sing modestly. Do not bawl, so as to be heard above or distinct from the rest of the congregation, that you may not destroy the harmony ...

VI.  Sing in Time. Whatever time is sung, be sure to keep with it. Do not run before nor stay behind it ... and take care not to sing too slow...

VII.  Above all sing spiritually. Have an eye to God in every word you sing. Aim at pleasing Him more than yourself or any other creature."

-John Wesley, "Instructions For Singing", 1761

Part 2 - Liturgy of the Word

"Always rise at the reading of the Gospel and remain standing , whence it says in the decretum, 'We decree by apostolic authority that... we should not sit but stand with a respectful bow in the presence of the Gospel.'  Included in the word respectful is the idea that we should pay honor to the Gospel.  So also it says, 'Listen attentively to its words, and worship in faith.'  Which is to say, the words are venerated by the body's attitude.  Such corporal acts of veneration are: to bow; second, to remove hats as is customary; third, to bow at the words Jesus and Mary because the devout so conduct themselves."
-Geert Grote, Resolutions and Intentions, But Not Vows

"Be devoted to the word of God whether you hear it in familiar conversation with spiritual friends or in sermons.  Always listen to it with attention and reverence; make good use of it; do not let it fall to earth but take it into your heart like a precious balm."
-St. Francis de Sales, Introduction to the Devout Life, II:17

"Let us turn to ourselves and let each of us search his own conscience about what is said."
-St. Bernard of Clairvaux, Sermons on the Song of Songs, III

"One should nourish the soul with the word of God: for the word of God, as St. Gregory the Theologian says, is angelic bread, by which are nourished souls that hunger for God."
-Seraphim of Sarov, Spiritual Instructions, 23

Part 3 - Liturgy of the Eucharist

"Little flower cherished by Jesus... You must open a little, or rather raise on high your corolla so that the Bread of Angels may come as a divine dew to strengthen you, and to give you all that is wanting to you."
-St. Therese of Lisieux, Counsels and Reminiscences

"In receiving the Holy Sacrament be as undoubtedly sure that you communicate of the Body and Blood of Christ, as you are sure that every moment you breathe air."
-John of Kronstadt, My Life in Christ

"He received Holy Communion so often and so devoutly that he made others devout also, for at the sweet taste of the spotless Lamb (1 Peter 1:19) he was often rapt in ecstasy as if drunk in the Spirit."
-St. Bonaventure, The Life of St. Francis, IX:2

"What kind of life, then, must be in a man who has repented?  Life which is in Christ Jesus, our Lord.  What must be his constant desire?  The desire for communion with the Lord.  Let him hurry, then, at the initial stirrings of this life to partake precious and holy Body and Blood of the Lord."
-Theophan the Recluse, The Path of Salvation, II:14

"After this ye hear the chanter inviting you with a sacred melody to the communion of the Holy Mysteries, and saying, O taste and see that the Lord is good. Trust not the judgment to your bodily palate no, but to faith unfaltering; for they who taste are bidden to taste, not bread and wine, but the anti-typical Body and Blood of Christ."
-St. Cyril of Jerusalem, Catechetical Lectures, 23

"...he used to say that the whole church was then filled with holy angels, and that the King of the celestial powers Himself was invisibly celebrating, transformed in our hearts into body and blood."
-A Discourse on Abba Philimon

"Thou commandest me to approach thee with confidence if I would have part with thee and to receive the food of immortality if I desire to obtain life and glory everlasting."
-Thomas a Kempis, The Imitation of Christ, III:1

"When in fear, trembling, and unworthiness we are yet permitted to receive the divine, undefiled Mysteries of Christ, our King and our God, we should then display even greater watchfulness, strictness and guard over our hearts, so that the divine fire, the body of our Lord Jesus Christ, may consume our sins and stains, great and small."
-St. Hesychios the Priest, On Watchfulness and Holiness

"What does Jesus Christ do in the Eucharist? It is God who, as our Savior, offers himself each day for us to his Father's justice. If you are in difficulties and sorrows, he will comfort and relieve you. If you are sick, he will either cure you or give you strength to suffer so as to merit Heaven. If the devil, the world, and the flesh are making war upon you, he will give you the weapons with which to fight, to resist, and to win victory. If you are poor, he will enrich you with all sorts of riches for time and eternity. Let us open the door of his sacred and adorable Heart, and be wrapped about for an instant by the flames of his love, and we shall see what a God who loves us can do. O my God, who shall be able to comprehend?"
-St. John Vianney, from HERE.

Part 4 - Concluding Rites

"Thou hast restored us to this ease
By this heav'nly blood;
Which I can go to, when I please,
And leave th' earth to their food."
-George Herbert, "The Holy Communion", The Temple

"The test of a preacher is that his congregation goes away saying, not,"What a lovely sermon!" but, "I will do something!"
-St. Francis de Sales, from HERE.