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If Your Mind Wanders at Mass by Thomas Howard
Distractions, fatigue, boredom at Sunday worship -- maybe we experience these because we don't fully appreciate what's going on at Mass. Howard's profound and practical look at the liturgy focuses our wandering minds. It reminds us that at Mass the veil separating earth and heaven lifts, so that we stand with angels and saints in the presence of God Most High.
Paperback
First published June 4, 2009
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About the author
Thomas Howard
55 books76 followersThomas Howard (b. 1935) is a highly acclaimed writer and scholar.
He was raised in a prominent Evangelical home (his sister is well-known author and former missionary Elisabeth Elliot), became Episcopalian in his mid-twenties, then entered the Catholic Church in 1985, at the age of fifty. At the time, his conversion shocked many in evangelical circles, and was the subject of a feature article in the leading evangelical periodical Christianity Today.
Dave Armstrong writes of Howard: "He cites the influence of great Catholic writers such as Newman, Knox, Chesterton, Guardini, Ratzinger, Karl Adam, Louis Bouyer, and St. Augustine on his final decision. Howard's always stylistically-excellent prose is especially noteworthy for its emphasis on the sacramental, incarnational and ‘transcendent’ aspects of Christianity."
Like C.S. Lewis, who he greatly admires and has written about often, Howard is an English professor (recently retired, after nearly forty years of teaching), who taught at Gordon College and then at St. John's Seminary. He is a highly acclaimed writer and scholar, noted for his studies of Inklings C.S. Lewis Narnia Beyond: A Guide to the Fiction of C.S. Lewis (2006, 1987) and Charles Williams The Novels of Charles Williams (1991), as well as books including Christ the Tiger (1967), Chance or the Dance (1969), Hallowed be This House (1976), Evangelical is Not Enough (1984), If Your Mind Wanders at Mass (1995), On Being Catholic (1997), and The Secret of New York Revealed.
He was raised in a prominent Evangelical home (his sister is well-known author and former missionary Elisabeth Elliot), became Episcopalian in his mid-twenties, then entered the Catholic Church in 1985, at the age of fifty. At the time, his conversion shocked many in evangelical circles, and was the subject of a feature article in the leading evangelical periodical Christianity Today.
Dave Armstrong writes of Howard: "He cites the influence of great Catholic writers such as Newman, Knox, Chesterton, Guardini, Ratzinger, Karl Adam, Louis Bouyer, and St. Augustine on his final decision. Howard's always stylistically-excellent prose is especially noteworthy for its emphasis on the sacramental, incarnational and ‘transcendent’ aspects of Christianity."
Like C.S. Lewis, who he greatly admires and has written about often, Howard is an English professor (recently retired, after nearly forty years of teaching), who taught at Gordon College and then at St. John's Seminary. He is a highly acclaimed writer and scholar, noted for his studies of Inklings C.S. Lewis Narnia Beyond: A Guide to the Fiction of C.S. Lewis (2006, 1987) and Charles Williams The Novels of Charles Williams (1991), as well as books including Christ the Tiger (1967), Chance or the Dance (1969), Hallowed be This House (1976), Evangelical is Not Enough (1984), If Your Mind Wanders at Mass (1995), On Being Catholic (1997), and The Secret of New York Revealed.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
December 30, 2020
Salvation means health.
The Mass is our all-important Act of Worship to the Triune God and yet how often do we walk away complaining that we got nothing out of it? Or if we don’t do that (anymore), we certainly hear it said. Our worship of God needs to be constantly renewed just like other important relationships, such as that with our spouse, parents, siblings and dear friends. Going to Mass is a solemn yet joyful occasion, a liturgical celebration with fixed words and actions which grant freedom by and in their specific rubrics. Without them, the individual is left on his/her own to make up what to say to God Almighty Omnipotent.
Within the beauty of 2000 years of Sacred Tradition based on Scripture, the Church Fathers, Doctors and Saints, the individual brings his/her own unique soul to the Mass and is joined to the Eternal celebration of Christ’s Sacrifice.
It is good to read books like this every so often, as they re-motivate, reinvigorate the spirit within. This is not some trivial self-help book, despite the rather banal title. Anyone familiar with the author will know he doesn’t write those type of books anyway. This is only my third Thomas Howard book and apparently I haven’t even read any of his best (Dove Descending: A Journey into T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets and Narnia and Beyond: A Guide to the Fiction of C. S. Lewis to name 2 of those I most want to read) yet, although I found The Novels of Charles Williams to be an invaluable guide and have returned to it often!
Back to the present volume, If Your Mind Wanders at Mass is not an *exciting* read, but it is important. We know the necessity of exercising the body. There is even greater imperative to keep one’s spirit in tip-top shape. This also requires effort outside of attending ‘church’. I have read other books on the Mass and this stands alongside them in providing sound explanation.
Thank you Mr. Howard and may you rest in peace! He died on October 15, 2020, the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Ávila, whose image I portray here on Goodreads.
(Listened to this on FORMED.)
The Mass is our all-important Act of Worship to the Triune God and yet how often do we walk away complaining that we got nothing out of it? Or if we don’t do that (anymore), we certainly hear it said. Our worship of God needs to be constantly renewed just like other important relationships, such as that with our spouse, parents, siblings and dear friends. Going to Mass is a solemn yet joyful occasion, a liturgical celebration with fixed words and actions which grant freedom by and in their specific rubrics. Without them, the individual is left on his/her own to make up what to say to God Almighty Omnipotent.
Within the beauty of 2000 years of Sacred Tradition based on Scripture, the Church Fathers, Doctors and Saints, the individual brings his/her own unique soul to the Mass and is joined to the Eternal celebration of Christ’s Sacrifice.
It is good to read books like this every so often, as they re-motivate, reinvigorate the spirit within. This is not some trivial self-help book, despite the rather banal title. Anyone familiar with the author will know he doesn’t write those type of books anyway. This is only my third Thomas Howard book and apparently I haven’t even read any of his best (Dove Descending: A Journey into T.S. Eliot's Four Quartets and Narnia and Beyond: A Guide to the Fiction of C. S. Lewis to name 2 of those I most want to read) yet, although I found The Novels of Charles Williams to be an invaluable guide and have returned to it often!
Back to the present volume, If Your Mind Wanders at Mass is not an *exciting* read, but it is important. We know the necessity of exercising the body. There is even greater imperative to keep one’s spirit in tip-top shape. This also requires effort outside of attending ‘church’. I have read other books on the Mass and this stands alongside them in providing sound explanation.
Thank you Mr. Howard and may you rest in peace! He died on October 15, 2020, the Memorial of Saint Teresa of Ávila, whose image I portray here on Goodreads.
(Listened to this on FORMED.)
August 20, 2020
3.5 ⭐️
Was reading this book in preparation for a Bible study on the Mass. It’s a short and light read. It goes through all the sections of the Mass and the way the author speaks of each part is joyous and at times a little funny (as the author tries to relate to the audience and engage with them). Many of the things the author brought up I already knew. But the book is still good to read and can refresh any mind about right praise and the importance of the Mass.
Was reading this book in preparation for a Bible study on the Mass. It’s a short and light read. It goes through all the sections of the Mass and the way the author speaks of each part is joyous and at times a little funny (as the author tries to relate to the audience and engage with them). Many of the things the author brought up I already knew. But the book is still good to read and can refresh any mind about right praise and the importance of the Mass.
July 20, 2016
A joyful account of the Mass, draws the reader into joy and worship.
October 7, 2024
Beautifully written and inspirational reminder of how the Mass is the most important part of the day. As a cradle Catholic, I'm always inspired by recent converts' fresh enthusiasm as a personal reminder not to take the Sacraments for granted. Both the author Thomas Howard (convert at 50 years old) and the book recommender Scott Hahn (a most popular convert and contemporary) fit that bill. Highly recommend for one and all.
May 21, 2018
I listened to this book as an audio book on formed. This book is filled with excellent information about the mass. The title is decent is describing what the book is about but not the best. This book goes section by section of the mass explaining everything!!! It is full of detail, honestly you could read this book several times and learn something new each time.
February 15, 2020
An excellent study and reflection on the invisible occurrences taking place during the Mass. Howard is a passionate writer who shares a great perspective that will increase the reader's sense of devotion and awe during this wonderful ritual. With brevity and joy, Howard expands on each part of the mass, enlightening and inspiring readers.
December 24, 2024
Very helpful guide to the Mass if you’ve already been.
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews