What Happens At Mass [6/5/2011] Jeremy Driscoll

by Jeremy Driscoll

What Happens at Mass presents an understanding of the Mass, how it is to be celebrated, and its profound meaning for the Church and the individuals within the Church. Perfect for parish study groups, mystagogia programs, parish liturgical committees, those involved in catechumenal ministry, and anyone seeking to deepen their knowledge of the liturgy. All will find this to be an intelligent yet widely accessible guide. Paperback, 6 x 9, 144 pages.

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

Paperback

First published April 17, 2007

About the author

Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B. has been a Benedictine monk of Mount Angel Abbey in Oregon since 1973. He was ordained a priest in 1981. In 1983 he earned an S.T.L. in patristics from the Augustinianum Patristic Institute in Rome.

He has been teaching theology in Mount Angel Seminary since then. In 1990 he was awarded an S.T.D. from the Pontifical Athenaeum Sant’Anselmo in Rome, writing his thesis on Evagrius Ponticus and ancient Egyptian monasticism.

He has taught theology at Mount Angel Seminary since 1983, and since 1994 he has also been teaching a semester each year at Sant’Anselmo in Rome. In 2002 he was named as advisor to the Vox Clara Commission for the Congregation for Divine Worship at the Vatican. In 2004 he was named a member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology. In 2005 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II as consultor to the Congregation for Divine Worship. He is also a Senior Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology.

On March 12, 2016, Abbot Jeremy was elected the 12th Abbot of Mount Angel Abbey.

Reviews

[Thadeus · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a stellar book explaining the parts of mass and what is going on during the different parts. It was suggested to me by Fr. John Riccardo and it did not disappoint.

Highly recommended.

[Christian Raab, OSB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book has probably one of the top ten or so books I have read insofar as shaping my thoughts and understanding. Deep and rich but also accessible. Highly recommended.

[Christine · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow, it never ceases to amaze me just how ignorant I am in regards to my Faith! There were so many little devotional facts about the mass in this book that I had never heard of before! I was constantly reading parts out loud to the rest of my family. Sometimes they had heard of what I was reading other times they too had never heard the different parts of the mass expressed in such a way. This book has certainly been a great help in renewing my devotion during mass and the big but simple facts have actually helped me to focus more during mass now that I understand better what is going on! This book would be great for the convert realizing they don't know a whole lot and also for the regular church goer who may be looking for a kick in their spiritual rear :)It is certainly something I plan on keeping in my arsenal of books to read over and over!

[Patrick B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book. Very helpful.

[JJ Cylk · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have been reading this book along with Dr. Edward Sri's book "A Biblical Walk Through the Mass". Both are excellent learning tools for all Catholics. I have come to like Father Driscoll's book better. Maybe because it was written first. It seems like a lot of passages in Sri's were exact repeats of this book. I found this book to have a more spiritual explanation of the Mass. Driscoll spends from page 107 to 118 explaining the Our Father in such detail that I never heard before. I have learned very much from both books. Driscoll reminds in the end that the Mass is "great event from the past...proclaimed by means of words and ritual actions." We bring the past action forward just as the Passover is re-enacted every year, except we do it everyday. Once you realize that you are bring the Last Supper & the Crucifixion forward, where you are becoming a participant in that holy activity, the Mass has a deeper, personal meaning. All the Praising, the participation in praise to God just as the Angels, prophets, and Apostles, and all Christians do and have done for all ages and in Heaven throughout the whole Bible, gives me more reason to celebrate the Mass and not just attend.

[Samantha Zee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Catholic/religious

So this book has a lot of info that can be helpful, but oh boy is it dry. The paragraphs can be longer too, and without it getting broken up, the reading fatigue hit hard and I had to break this 131 page book up so much that it took be about two months to read.

Saying that, it does have a lot of information in the deep dive of what goes on during mass and it explained a lot more of certain parts that I, as a cradle Catholic, was less familiar with the meaning of.

I'd give it 3 stars, it's a good read if you are trying to learn but it's length is misleading and it is not easy to get through.

[Paul · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great job by Fr. Driscoll to break down all the elements of Mass and how we can enter more deeply into the Paschal Mystery and the offering of ourselves joined to the perfect offering of Christ's sacrifice.

[Brian Boothe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hands down, the absolute best book on the Mass; it will never be the same!

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This little book offers a great deal of insight into the Mass and is easily accessible to anyone who would like to learn more about how the Catholic Mass is celebrated.

[Sue Gaddam · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent description of the who, what, when, where, and why of every party if the Mass

[Becky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended by a parish co-worker. Short book (less than 150 pages), so I thought it would be a quick read. No. Fairly dense with much to reflect upon.

[Evan H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book, excellent writing and solid theology. However, as someone who is not well versed in theology and the denseness of the subject, I often found myself confused, rereading passages. That may just be me and my lack of knowledge on theology and theological reading, but I did feel like parts of it were a little confusing to understand.
That being said, I still highly recommend this book to any Catholic who wants to grow to understand what happens at church every day.

[Becki · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent! If you are into apologetics or a new Catholic this is for you! This book covers all parts of the Mass and backs the Mass of with history of the Church and Holy Scripture. Excellent resource!

[Kevin de Ataíde · Rating 4 out of 5]

Short and insightful commentary on the new Order of Holy Mass, written intentionally for the lay faithful, and so in a simpler language. Well recommended for its phase by phase treatment and appreciation of the Christian concepts of tradition and mystery.

[Rapha Gabriel Benjamin · Rating 3 out of 5]

lovely book with the beauty of the mass expressed as I have never seen before an excellent interpretation of mystery and an insightful read.

[George M. · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must for all catholics who wish to have a better understanding of our liturgy.