the priests began to buy them, and the people gave him money for his own support; and thus you have the origin of offering money to the priest for celebrating Mass for your intention.  The money is not to pay for the Mass, because you could not buy any sacred thing without committing sin.  The priest may use the money also for the candles burned, the vestments and sacred vessels, etc., used at the Mass.  To buy a holy thing for money is the sin of simony—­so called after Simon, a magician, who tried to bribe the Apostles to give him Confirmation when he was unworthy of it.  To buy religious articles before they are blessed is not simony, nor even after they are blessed, if you pay only for the material of which they are made; but if you tried to buy the blessing, it would be simony.  When the Holy Mass is offered, the fruits or benefits of it are divided into four classes.  The first benefit comes to the priest who celebrates the Mass; the second, to the one for whom he offers the Mass; the third benefit to those who are present at it; and the fourth to all the faithful throughout the world.

270 Q. Which is the best manner of hearing Mass?  A. The best manner of hearing Mass is to offer it to God with the priest for the same purpose for which it is said, to meditate on Christ’s sufferings and death, and to go to Holy Communion.

That is, to offer it up for whatever intention the priest is offering it—­for the dead, for the conversion of sinners, for the good of others, etc.; but especially for the four ends of which I have already spoken—­to worship God, thank Him, etc.  “Christ’s death,” of which it reminds us.  “Holy Communion,” if we are in a state of grace, and have prepared to receive Communion.

You should go to Holy Communion as often as possible, and you should try every day to make yourself more worthy of that great Sacrament.  Think of it!  To receive your God and Saviour into your soul, and to be united with Him, as the word communion means!  The early Christians used to go to Communion very frequently.  The Church requires us to go to Holy Communion at least once a year, but we should not be satisfied with doing merely what is necessary to avoid mortal sin.  Do we try to keep away from persons we love?  Then if we really love Our Lord should we not desire to receive Him?  All good Catholics should go to Holy Communion at least once a week, on Sunday.  Persons wishing to lead truly holy lives should go to Communion more often, or even every day.

When we cannot go really to Communion we can merit God’s grace by making a spiritual Communion.  What is a spiritual Communion?  It is an earnest desire to receive Communion.  You prepare yourself as if you were really going to Communion; you try to imagine yourself going up, receiving the Blessed Sacrament, and returning to your place.  Then you thank God for all His blessings to you as you would have done had you received.  This is an act of devotion, and one very pleasing to God, as many holy writers tell us.