The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass by St. Leonard of Port Maurice

by Leonard of Port Maurice

This book describes the great spiritual power of the Mass, how it holds back the wrath of God, its wonderful eternal and temporal benefits and several excellent ways to pray at Mass. Hidden Treasure is the prototype book on the Mass for all other books on the same subject; others basically repeat what this small book contains. Impr. 123 pgs, PB

Genres: Catholic, Spirituality, Nonfiction, Christianity

Paperback

First published January 1, 1737

About the author

St. Leonard of Port Maurice, O.F.M. was born in 1676 near Genoa, Italy. While at the famous Roman college of St. Aloysius, he became known as another version of that saint because of his extraordinary piety, diligence, and good deeds. Subsequently he was made aware of his vocation to the priesthood at the Roman convent of St. Bonaventure, and became a Franciscan in 1697. Additionally, he possessed an intense love for Christ and His Mother, the Immaculate Conception, penance, and humility. His The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass was published in the nineteenth century with the Nihil Obstat and Imprimatur. St. Leonard died at Rome on the twenty-sixth of November, 1751. He was canonized by Pope Pius IX in 1867.

Reviews

[Christine Calabrese]

When I've learned all there can be to know or have reached some level of sanctity, Our Lord places a book in my path, a retreat, or something to push me on. Further, He calls, you can do this; come along little soul, little Christine. You can do this, little lamb.

This book is that call.

The Mass, what can we say? If you are a protestant as I was, there is no way of explaining this except to say, "Imagine you are at the foot of the cross with Our Lady, St. Mary Magdalene, and St. John. This is the Mass."

And what are the benefits to the soul of those who assist at Mass daily? Innumerable. Impossible to calculate for as the stars of the sky or the fish in the sea, so are Our Lord's rich blessings and graces to those who are attentive and comprehend this great mystery.

Time reverses, time stands still, you are there, and you not only see Our Lord, you taste Him as He has made Himself available to all in the Eucharist.

Is there a cost to such an incredible donation to souls? YES, those souls who assist in Mass must be prepared, pray, do penance, and move forward in sanctity.

In this book, St. Leonard gives us prayers to assist at Mass.

Go to Mass, go to the Latin Mass, and use this book to help you; I intend to do the same.

St. Leonard de Port Maurice, priez pour nous.

[ShepherdsDelight]

95/100 (= 5.7/6) ≈ 5 Stars

-----------------------------------------
Priceless!
Highlights:
- The 4 debts that everyone of us has.
- Excellent short explanations of the 4 ends of Mass (corresponding to our 4 debts).
- Manner of hearing Mass given here is superb!
- Treasure present at each Mass.
- An excellent "Rule of Life".

[Luís de Santa Maria]

Please, read it.

[J.T. Therrien]

In this book St. Leonard argues against the common view expressed in the sentiment: "What's one more Mass, more or less?"

He presents numerous arguments why it does make a difference, and why the believer should attend as many Masses as possible for the safety and care of his/her soul.

Along with these arguments, the small book contains prayers and acts, along with a novena.

Besides prayers to pray during the Mass (Chapter IV) there is also a chapter on spiritual exercises in preparation for Holy Communion and Confession (Chapter V). Chapter VI lays out a program of rules for living well.

This book is definitely worth reading, but if you don't already attend Mass every day, St. Leonard probably won't convince you to change your ways - although, who knows, the reader might be convinced to attend more than once a week on Sundays.

[Clinton M. Resler]

Challenging

I have and still am finding this book to be a treasury of prayers, good advice and reproof of my own lukewarm response. Blessed be God in St. Leonard of Port Maurice.

[Stephen Heiner]

While there are countless books on the Mass that are well worth your time, this little classic of St. Leonard of Port Maurice is one that I will often go back to.

Not only does it have devotional prayers you can use for Mass and for Holy Communion, but the text is full of examples of the importance of getting to Mass as often as you can, as well as different perspectives on how to participate in the liturgy with more devotion and proper attention. It's a classic text that will offer new fruit each time you return to it. My only quibble is with the binding, not the text itself, but that's TAN's fault, and one that plagued a certain era of their works.

"Let us take care to attend many Masses, to attend with all the devotion possible, and to cause them to be celebrated elsewhere as frequently as we can; and thus, were our debts the most exorbitant, were they even literally innumerable, there is no room to doubt but that with this treasure we might be able most fully to pay them all." (p. 31)

"One single mortal sin so weighs in the scales of divine justice, that to satisfy for it, all the good works of all the martyrs and of all the saints who as yet have existed, who exist now, or ever shall exist, would not suffice." (p. 33)

"...do not ask things of small importance, but ask great graces..."

[Thayna Brunê]

Com uma abordagem devota e reflexiva, Tesouro Oculto: Méritos e Excelências da Santa Missa cumpre seu propósito de despertar no leitor um amor mais profundo pela missa. A divisão dos capítulos facilita a leitura e torna a experiência proveitosa, trazendo ensinamentos valiosos sobre a importância desse rito sagrado.

No entanto, por ser um livro escrito há muitos anos, o vocabulário pode tornar a leitura um pouco arrastada, exigindo mais atenção e, em alguns momentos, chegando a ser sonolento. Ainda assim, é uma obra que vale a pena para quem busca fortalecer sua fé e compreender melhor o valor desse tesouro espiritual.

[Reuben Nuxoll]

St. Leonard helps us understand the Mass, and uses stories to motivate us to go to Mass and live it well. He also provides some prayers for the preconciliar Mass and for communion.

[Lawrence Jakows]

A truly outstanding book on the power of Holy Mass written by an amazing saint.

[HERNAN OROZCO]

Este libro te cambiara tu alma

Este libro ha excitado en mi deseos de afecto y amor hacia la eucaristia, mi anhelo maximo es atender misa diaria.

[Anna]

This book is a treasure in of itself. Every Catholic should read this to gain the most from Holy Mass and to better understand its significance.

[Ayelén Torres]

Un canto a la Santa Misa. Un libro excelente, lleno de testimonios que nos recuerdan que la misa no es un elemento más de nuestra vida, un lugar al que vamos, sino un alimento clave para nuestra alma, fundamental para la vida en la Tierra y vital para nuestra salvación. Recomiendo mucho su lectura, sobre todo en estos tiempos en los que se prioriza no contraer un virus por sobre asistir a la Eucaristía, cosa que se promueve incluso (y lamentablemente) desde la misma Iglesia.

[Jose Martinez]

Experimentando cosas místicas en la misa

Después de leer este libro comencé a experimentar cosas místicas en la misa y crecio un celo y amor por la Santa misa y.comencé a.asistir diariamente

[Jack]

This book convinced me to start going to daily Mass which has transformed my life.

[Ricardo Portella]

É um livrinho pequeno escrito para incentivar a ida a Santa Missa. Tem bastante informações interessantes, mas é um tanto repetitivo. No final tem alguns parágrafos escritos pelo Padre Rodrigo Maria.

[Gregory]

After reading this little book, you'll never go to mass the same way again!

[Aline]

Bem objetivo. Seria bom se todo católico lesse esse livro.

[Elizabeth Mcnally]

A classic to read and reread.