Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers

by Mike Aquilina

The Mass may seem routine, and it may be the common property of millions of Catholics, but much lies beneath. Mike Aquilina not only answers practical questions about this central act of Catholic worship, but also walks you through the Mass, explaining the meaning behind the prayers and practices. Find answer to such questions What is the Real Presence?What are the Jewish roots of the Mass?Why is the Mass a sacrifice?Why do some people receive Communion on the tongue and others in the hand?You may be surprised by how much you've missed in your understanding of the Mass.

Genres: Religion, Catholic, Nonfiction, Faith, Christianity, Theology

116 pages, Paperback

First published May 13, 2011

About the author

Mike Aquilina is author or editor of more than thirty books, including The Fathers of the Church, The Mass of the Early Christians, and A Year with the Church Fathers. He has co-hosted eight series that air on the Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN). He has co-authored books with Cardinal Donald Wuerl of Washington, D.C., and theologian Scott Hahn. He is past editor of New Covenant magazine and The Pittsburgh Catholic newspaper. He appears weekly on Sirius Radio's "Sonrise Morning Show." Mike and his wife, Terri, have six children, who are the subject of his book Love in the Little Things.

In 2011 Mike was a featured presenter of the U.S. Bishops' Diocesan Educational/Catechetical Leadership Institute. He also wrote the USCCB's theological reflection for Catechetical Sunday in 2011.

His reviews, essays and journalism have appeared in many journals, including First Things, Touchstone, Crisis, Our Sunday Visitor, National Catholic Register, and Catholic Heritage. He contributed work on early Christianity to the Encyclopedia of Catholic Social Thought.

Mike is a also poet whose works have appeared in U.S. literary journals and have been translated into Polish and Spanish. He shared songwriting credits with Grammy Award-winner Dion DiMucci on the forthcoming album "Tank Full of Blues."

Reviews

[Steven R. McEvoy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read a few books by Mike Aquilina and have a few in my two be read pile. This one got bumped to the top of the list when my oldest decided that she wanted to become an alter server. I wanted a quick refresher in case she has questions as she did her three weeks of alter serving training and started to help serve at mass. To be honest I was unaware of this book by Mike Aquilina, until an email from The Dynamic Catholic Institute promoted it. It was perfect timing.

The book is exactly what you would expect from the title. It is 100 questions with 100 answers and a lot of references back and forth between different questions. The sections in the book are:

Introduction
The First Mass
Basics of the Mass
1. Why do we call our worship "the Mass"?
2. What other names does the Mass go by?
3. What happens at a Catholic Mass?
4. Why do we need this ritual? Can't I worship God just as well using my own words?
5. Why does the Mass refer to Jesus as a "victim" and a "lamb"?
6. Why is the Mass a sacrifice?
7. Why is the Mass the same sacrifice that Christ made on the cross?
8. Is every Catholic worship service a Mass?
The Eucharist: The Real Presence of Christ
9. What is the Eucharist?
10. What is the real presence?
11. If God is everywhere, what's special about the real presence in the Eucharist?
12. Why do Catholics believe in the real presence, instead of just saying that the bread and wine are symbols?
13. What is transubstantiation?
14. When does transubstantiation happen?
15. Why does the priest mix water with the wine?
16. If the Body of Christ is in every Catholic church, does that mean Jesus has lots of bodies all over the world?
17. How can we teach children about the real presence?
Scriptural and Historic Roots
18. Where does the Mass appear in the Bible?
19. How can the Mass appear in the Old Testament if Jesus instituted it in the New?
20. What are the Jewish roots of the Christian ritual?
21. Where does the Mass appear in the New Testament?
22. How did Jesus prepare his followers for the institution of the Mass?
23. Why do the accounts of the first Mass differ from book to book?
24. How do we know that Jesus intended the Church to continue offering the Mass?
25. Did the early Church-the persecuted, "underground" Church-celebrate the Mass? If so, how?
The Celebrant
26. Who may offer the Mass?
27. How did Jesus give our priests the power to change bread and wine into his body and blood?
28. What is a pontifical Mass?
29. Is Mass with the pope or bishop "worth more" than Mass in my parish?
30. Does there have to be a congregation for there to be a Mass?
31. What are the vestments the priest wears?
32. Why does the priest wear vestments?
33. What do the colors of the vestments mean?
Obligation and Opportunity
34. How often must I go to Mass?
35. Why does the Church require us to go to Mass on Sunday?
36. Can I satisfy the Sunday obligation by going to Vespers instead of Mass?
37. What does it mean to offer the Mass for a particular "intention"?
38. Why do Catholics offer Masses for the dead?
39. How does the Mass relate to the other sacraments?
40. What is the relationship between the Mass and social
justice?
41. How is the Mass like heaven?
Rites
42. Why do some Catholic churches celebrate the Eucharist in ways that are far different from the way I know?
43. What is the Latin Mass?
44. What is the Tridentine Mass or Extraordinary Form?
45. Why do some Catholics like the Latin Mass so much?
46. Why is Latin still the official language of the Mass in the Catholic Church?
47. Do non-Catholic churches also celebrate the Mass?
Properly Equipped
48. Why does the Church use unleavened bread?
49. May the priest use other types of bread?
50. May a priest use gluten-free wheat bread for the sake of people who have celiac disease?
51. What if my body can't take any wheat at all?
52. What are the vessels used in the Mass?
53. What's special about altar candles?
54. What are rubrics?
55. What's hidden in the compartment in or under many altars?
56. Why does the Church honor the relics of the saints?
Receiving Communion
57. Who may receive Holy Communion?
58. How should I prepare to go to Mass and receive Communion?
59. What is the Communion fast?
60. What if I forget and break the Communion fast?
61. What happens if I receive Communion in a state of mortal sin?
62. How should I receive Communion?
63. Why do some people receive Communion on the hand and others on the tongue?
64. Is it better to receive Communion under both species? Do I receive "more" if I do?
65. What is viaticum?
66. Can the Church deny Communion to particular individuals? If so, when and how?
67. Why are certain politicians allowed to take Communion even when they vote against Church teachings?
68. What is excommunication?
69. How often may I go to Communion?
70. How often must I go to Communion?
71. What should I do after taking Communion?
72. What should I do if I attend Mass but cannot go, or choose not to go, to Communion?
73. Are Catholics allowed to take Communion in a non-Catholic church?
74. Are non-Catholics allowed to take Communion in a Catholic church?
The Parts of the Mass
75. How is the Mass divided?
76. Why does the Mass begin with the Sign of the Cross?
77. What is the Penitential Rite?
78. Why do we pray to Mary and the saints?
79. What is the Gloria?
80. How does the Church pick the Bible readings for each Mass?
81. What is the Alleluia?
82. What is the gesture people make before the reading of the Gospel?
83. What is a sermon supposed to be?
84. What is the Creed?
85. What is the Universal Prayer?
86. Why does the Church collect money at Mass?
87. What is the Offertory?
88. What is the Eucharistic Prayer?
89. What is the Canon of the Mass?
90. What is the Preface?
91. What is the "Holy, Holy, Holy"?
92. What is the institution narrative?
93. Why does the Church call upon the Holy Spirit at this point in the Mass?
94. What is the "mystery of faith"?
95. What is the Communion Rite?
96. Why do we pray the Lord's Prayer at this part of the Mass?
97. What is the "Lord, I am not worthy" prayer?
98. What is Holy Communion?
99. Why does the Mass end so abruptly after Communion?
100. What should I do after Mass?
Notes

To be honest this is not a hard read, but it is a very informative read. Even as someone who has attended mass most of my life, and having a religious studies degree with a focus on the Raman Catholic Faith I still got a lot out of this book. It was hard to put down once I got going. Mike writes in an easy engaging style. Some authors especially theologians are a struggle to read, but Mike's writing especially in this book is not that way at all. I read this book in three short sittings, and found it very useful.

I can highly recommend it even for seasoned Catholics. There is a lot of benefit to be had from reading this little volume.


Read the review on my blog Book Reviews and More. As well as reviews of other books by Mike Aquilina.

(Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: A Year of Reading Intention - Catholic Reading!)

[Lindsi (Do You Dog-ear?) · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

I thought the information was good, but the formatting and explanations could be a little confusing, especially when the author referenced other questions within the book. The author would tell you to "see question..." and it could be something you've already read, or a question that hasn't been addressed yet. It made the current topic and explanation feel less like the focal point, despite the references being used to backup the present piece of information being shared.

It also felt like this was meant for someone that's somewhat familiar with how the Mass works, and would be more difficult for a person who wasn't Catholic - or had any knowledge of Catholic traditions - to simply pick up and understand. Having personally experienced Mass, and gaining some basic knowledge, made Understanding the Mass: 100 Questions, 100 Answers feel more relevant and enlightening. However, despite having attended Mass for several months now, there were a few things I had to look up independently to better understand.

[Matt · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm Protestant, but this book has been useful to me on my journey to learning more about Catholicism.

[Trisha Georgiou · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very informative book for the new Catholic or a seasoned Catholic needing a refresher.
It helped me to contemplate parts of the service to renew my faith and focus. It is a valuable resource
for the new Catholic.

[John · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a simplistic little book. The book does not delve deep into theological discussions or the complexity of the Faith. Readers who regularly attend Mass and are active in the Church will know most of the information. On the plus side, it can serve as a helpful little reference book.

[Michael Dailey · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Commentary

This is an excellent commentary and explanation of the Holy Mass. The author has successfully and with simplicity offered complete insight into the Holy Mass making it easy to understand and comprehend.

[Angie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought the information was good and it clarified a lot of things however I think some of the answers were a little lengthy and could’ve been more concise. The author does need to be careful about imbuing opinion versus Catholic doctrine.

[Pete Reinagel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found this very informative and even though I've been a practicing Catholic all my life, I learned many things in this little book. It's a handy reference when people ask why things are done a certain way. The Q&A format makes it simple to find the answers you may be seeking.

[Matt Hoover · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sound and good for someone who has little familiarity with the mass, but otherwise, anyone who has a better than basic understanding is unlikely to learn much.

[Fred Christopherson]

This is a good overview of the Catholic mass. The language is easy to understand.