"Indeed, some notable contemporary spiritual writers (e.g. Fra Stefano Manelli) advocate attending as many Masses as possible everyday..."
This is not a new development, but has a been a spiritual practice of some of the saints for over a thousand years.
The below is from the "Explanation of the Holy Mass" by Father Martin von Cochem (1625-1712) in an edition published in 1896:
"Furthermore, let us hope that thy experience will be similar to that recorded of the Blessed Nancker, Bishop of Breslau in the thirteenth century. This prelate was distinguished by his great love for holy Mass, which induced him to be present, if possible, at all the Masses said every day in his cathedral. Just at the time when he lay dying a pious matron of the city heard the voices of angels singing in such sweet and melodious strains that she thought herself transported to paradise. While she was wondering within herself what was the cause of this rejoicing, a voice said to her : " The soul of Bishop Nancker has left the body and is being carried by the angels to heaven." The good woman then asked in what way the bishop had merited this great honor and privilege. And the same voice replied: " Through the great affection and veneration he had for holy Mass." An example such as this ought certainly to encourage us in going to Mass. The pious bishop was taken up to heaven without passing through purgatory; nay, more, he was carried up by the angels in triumph with glad and jubilant songs. And why? Chiefly because of his great devotion to holy Mass; he had thereby paid all he owed to divine justice and merited a glorious entry into the courts of heaven. If thou wouldst escape the purgatorial fire and obtain a high place in heaven, imitate his example and be zealous in hearing Mass. And if it is not possible for thee to hear many Masses, as he did, at least do so in desire, and God will accept thy good intention and grant thee a happy end."
...
"The ecclesiastical historian Baronius tells us that in the early ages of Christianity priests were at liberty to say as many Masses every day as they chose. The holy Pope Leo III. had recourse to the holy sacrifice in all his necessities, and was known, in times of affliction, to celebrate no less than nine Masses in one day, with great fervor and recollection.
"The saintly Bishop Ulrich was accustomed to say three Masses every day, unless prevented by sickness or stress of business. Since 1073 the practice of saying more Masses than one has been abolished, Christmas Day alone being excepted.
"St. Hedwige of Poland is said to have had a profound veneration for holy Mass. She always assisted at as many as she could; and if enough were not celebrated in the chapel attached to the palace to satisfy her devotion, she sent for other priests, recompensing them liberally for their trouble. Raynaldus records of St. Louis of France that he was in the habit of hearing two, three, sometimes even four Masses daily. His courtiers murmured at this, saying it was not right for the king to spend all the morning at prayer in the chapel instead of attending to state affairs and leaving Mass to the clergy. The king, hearing what they said, answered: " I wonder that you should complain of my hearing Mass, for not one of you would think me to blame if I spent twice as much time in hunting or playing dice." This was a very good answer, and it applies to many amongst ourselves as well as to the officials of King Louis' court. For in our blindness we imagine that it is a waste of time and loss of money to go to Mass on week-days. But if two or three hours are spent in idle conversation, at play, over our wine, or perhaps in sleep, we think that the time thus squandered has been most profitably employed. What an unfortunate delusion !
"The same historian tells us that Henry I of England was also accustomed to hear three Masses every day even when engrossed with urgent affairs of state. It is said that once, when he was talking with the King of France, the conversation turned upon hearing Mass; and the French king remarked that one ought not always to go to Mass, but to hear sermons as well. Henry I courteously replied: " It is a greater pleasure to me to see my friend frequently than to hear others speak in his praise." With this opinion I who write this book fully coincide; in fact, I have often told people who asked me whether it was better to go to Mass or to hear sermons that to assist at Mass was by far the best. One ought not, however, to eschew sermons altogether, for they are very useful, and even necessary, especially in the case of hardened sinners, to awaken in them a sense and an abhorrence of sin.
"The Blessed Anthony of Stroncone delighted in hearing Mass above any other spiritual exercise. He assisted at the holy sacrifice, and served the Mass with such fervor and joy of heart that he forgot all about his meals. If Mass could have been celebrated all day long from early morn until night closed in, he would always have been present, without ever leaving the church. When he grew old, and his enfeebled limbs could hardly support him, he would still totter to the church in order to hear Mass, and this he did even when the hand of death was already upon him, for he rose from his bed to fill his accustomed place near the altar. Let us take example from this Franciscan brother, who was beatified in the year 1690, and be more zealous than ever in our attendance at holy Mass.
"We read in Baronius that the Roman Emperor Lothaire used to hear three Masses every day, even when he had to take the field against the enemy."
http://books.google.com/books?id=B8QxAAAAMAAJ
