By Rev. Gerald E. Murray, First Things - One of the pleasures of being a parish priest is celebrating weekday Masses, usually with a small congregation. The “regulars” at these Masses—all of whom are there without having to fulfill an obligation, as is the case on Sundays—are some of the happiest and most devout people you will ever meet. Their daily decision to take time to pray and be close to the Lord transforms their spirits. They truly celebrate, in their own quiet way, the solemn worship of the God they love so much, and draw from him in abundance the fruits of glad rejoicing.