My cradle Catholic parents instilled in me the importance of going to Mass religiously (no pun intended) but were never able to articulate why we went, answering only 'because we are Catholic and that is what good Catholics do.'
It wasn't until a youth minister explained the significance, depth and beauty of the Mass that my eyes (and heart) were truly opened.
Slowly, over time, I began to see the liturgy differently. It was as though, with every fact and insight I learned, the dots began to c