The Weight of One Holy Mass

This true story was told by Father Stanislaus to a Nun.  He was a religious of the Sacred Heart, and the Captain was his father!

Many years ago, in a town in Luxembourg, a Captain of the Forest Guards was talking to a butcher.  An old lady entered the shop and asked the butcher, "Could you please give me a little meat?"

“Only a little meat," he asked, "but how much are you going to pay me?”

The poor woman explained, “I am sorry I have no money, but I will hear Mass for you!”

The butcher and the Captain did not care much about the Catholic religion, and they began to scoff at the old woman's answer.

“All right, then,” said the butcher. “You go out and hear Mass for me, and when you come back, I'll give you as much meat as the Mass is worth.” 

The woman left the shop and returned later. She approached the counter, and the butcher seeing her said, “All right then, we'll see!” He took a piece of paper and wrote on it, “I heard a Mass for you.” He then placed the paper on the scale and a thin bone on the other side, but nothing happened!  Next he placed a piece of meat instead of the bone, but still the paper was heavier.  Both men were beginning to feel ashamed of what they had said.  The butcher then placed a large piece of meat on the scale, but still the paper was heavier! The butcher was shocked and examined the scales, but found they were all right!

“What do you want, my good woman?  Must I give you a whole leg of lamb?"  He placed the whole leg of lamb on the balance, but the paper still outweighed the meat!  A larger piece of meat was put on, but again the paper remained heavier!  The butcher was converted on the spot and promised to give the poor lady some meat everyday.

The Captain also converted on the spot, and became a great lover of daily Holy Mass.  He went to Mass every day and trained his children to follow his example and to love daily Holy Mass.

Later, two of the Captain's sons became Priests; one became a Jesuit, and one became a Priest of the Sacred Heart, taking the name of Fr. Stanislaus.  The Captain advised them to offer Holy Mass well every day and never miss the Sacrifice through any fault of their own.