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Bored Again Catholic: How the Mass Could Save Your Life
Are you BORED? Not likely, given the endless opportunities today to see, share, post, watch, and like. So are you bored? No way!
(Except maybe at Mass.)
We want the Mass to entertain, make us laugh, give us foot tapping music and sound-bite theology, and get it done in under an hour. Yet every Sunday many of us tune out. Author Tim O'Malley, in a series of reflections on every part of the Mass, challenges us to turn the idea of boredom on its head, calling boredom the good boredom that opens us to the quiet interior space where we can encounter God a sweet gift. It is there that full participation in the Mass becomes possible the potential to be transfixed by a ritual, to contemplate the readings, to savor the Eucharist. To be fruitfully bored again. Become a Bored Again Catholic and rediscover the power of the Mass to change your life and the entire world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Timothy P. O'Malley, Ph.D. is director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy in the McGrath Institute for Church Life. He teaches in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He researches in the areas of liturgy, catechesis, and Christian spirituality. He is the author of Liturgy and the New Practicing the Art of Self-Giving Love (Liturgical Press, 2014). He and his wife Kara live in South Bend and have one son.
(Except maybe at Mass.)
We want the Mass to entertain, make us laugh, give us foot tapping music and sound-bite theology, and get it done in under an hour. Yet every Sunday many of us tune out. Author Tim O'Malley, in a series of reflections on every part of the Mass, challenges us to turn the idea of boredom on its head, calling boredom the good boredom that opens us to the quiet interior space where we can encounter God a sweet gift. It is there that full participation in the Mass becomes possible the potential to be transfixed by a ritual, to contemplate the readings, to savor the Eucharist. To be fruitfully bored again. Become a Bored Again Catholic and rediscover the power of the Mass to change your life and the entire world.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Timothy P. O'Malley, Ph.D. is director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy in the McGrath Institute for Church Life. He teaches in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He researches in the areas of liturgy, catechesis, and Christian spirituality. He is the author of Liturgy and the New Practicing the Art of Self-Giving Love (Liturgical Press, 2014). He and his wife Kara live in South Bend and have one son.
192 pages, Paperback
Published February 24, 2017
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About the author
Timothy P. O'Malley
28 books9 followersDr. Timothy P. O'Malley, Ph.D. (theology and education, Boston College; M.T.S., Liturgical Studies, University of Notre Dame; B.A., Theology and Philosophy, Notre Dame), is Director of Education at the McGrath Institute for Church Life, and Academic Director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy.
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
May 1, 2017
This is a book intended for young adults, by a highly educated young adult but it has something important to say to Catholics of all ages about how the Mass truly relates to and enriches real life and offers opportunities for personal and communal transformation. Tim O'Malley walks you through the Mass, reflecting, explaining, and revealing its treasures in a unique way through personal witness, art, poetry, church documents and tradition as well as a little scholarship if you want to dig in.
Reflection/discussion questions at the end of each chapter and proposals for personal practice make this a book to savor and to come back to.
Reflection/discussion questions at the end of each chapter and proposals for personal practice make this a book to savor and to come back to.
October 9, 2017
I learned so much. Great resource.
August 14, 2018
Very solid approach to the Mass to diving a little deeper. Really enjoyed his tone which kept things light while conveying the seriousness of the venture of entering into the Mass more fully.
July 20, 2017
I was anxious to read this book when I saw Timothy O'Malley's interview with Cardinal Dolan on EWTN recently. I liked how the book breaks down each component of the Mass; in fact, it could be a great study for RCIA graduates if it had a little more information.
I only give the book 2 stars because it really didn't have the revelations and ideas I expected. Much of the book is simply common sense.
I only give the book 2 stars because it really didn't have the revelations and ideas I expected. Much of the book is simply common sense.
May 15, 2018
I really really enjoyed this book and will be rereading it again and again!
The format was great - breaking up each part of the Mass and addressing it. I will be able to go back to sections I need when I talk about different parts of the Mass with the youth. The questions at the end were very thought provoking and I would like to go through it again as a bit of a retreat on the Mass when I have time.
It wasn’t overwhelmingly deep but took my understanding a bit further than it was before, and really helped me contemplate the whys and hows.
My only issue is the section on the homily. The author seems to think all homilies (and to be more precise homilists) are irrevelent, but does not cover the fact that we need to be in a mindset to actually listen to what is said and realise that the priest is acting in persona christi. God will have a message for us. If the pen is faulty that doesn’t make the message invalid, and likewise if the priest/deacon is not perfect, it does not mean we should “get lost in stained glass windows and incense...”, switching off from what is being said... it might just mean we have to look harder and pay a bit more attention.
In saying that, the chapter on the Collect has really stood out for me. I often love these prayers but forget about them. This reminded me of them and i now want to spend some time praying and reflecting on them outside of the Mass.
The format was great - breaking up each part of the Mass and addressing it. I will be able to go back to sections I need when I talk about different parts of the Mass with the youth. The questions at the end were very thought provoking and I would like to go through it again as a bit of a retreat on the Mass when I have time.
It wasn’t overwhelmingly deep but took my understanding a bit further than it was before, and really helped me contemplate the whys and hows.
My only issue is the section on the homily. The author seems to think all homilies (and to be more precise homilists) are irrevelent, but does not cover the fact that we need to be in a mindset to actually listen to what is said and realise that the priest is acting in persona christi. God will have a message for us. If the pen is faulty that doesn’t make the message invalid, and likewise if the priest/deacon is not perfect, it does not mean we should “get lost in stained glass windows and incense...”, switching off from what is being said... it might just mean we have to look harder and pay a bit more attention.
In saying that, the chapter on the Collect has really stood out for me. I often love these prayers but forget about them. This reminded me of them and i now want to spend some time praying and reflecting on them outside of the Mass.
March 20, 2018
I chose this for Lenten reading after hearing the author interviewed. Unfortunately, I did not find it engaging at all. The information is fine, but presented more deeply in many other sources. The tone was a bit lecturing due to the use of the second person--a point of view I have always found grating--alternating with the first person plural. The multiple references to Taylor Swift are unnecessary and gratuitous seeming like a lame attempt to engage young adult readers. And the amount of long quotes reminds me of sophomores trying to pad the word count on research papers.
On a positive note, while seeming rather conservative, O'Malley defends the Vatican II changes to the mass and explains their origins in the earliest traditions of the Church--a refreshing point of view from a Conservative American Catholic.
However, O'Malley failed to convince me why I should not be occasionally bored and never explained the premise of his subtitle at all.
On a positive note, while seeming rather conservative, O'Malley defends the Vatican II changes to the mass and explains their origins in the earliest traditions of the Church--a refreshing point of view from a Conservative American Catholic.
However, O'Malley failed to convince me why I should not be occasionally bored and never explained the premise of his subtitle at all.
July 30, 2018
I guess I'm disappointed in this book. I went into it thinking it would be inspirational for teens and young adults who are bored by attending Catholic Mass, and would give them new ideas on how to approach the Mass which would change their perspective. This book did not do that. The book isn't bad at all, but it would be more properly titled The Catholic Mass for Those Who Want to Dig Deeper. The book delves into the rituals and order of the Mass. It is interesting and I learned some things.
My daughter is going to be reading this book in her Peer Ministry class in high school, as a senior. I think a different book should be chosen if the goal is to inspire young people in the Catholic Church. I think this book should be used in teaching foundations of the Mass. The intent should just be clear.
Also, a book should only have one Taylor Swift reference. Three is way too many and will dock the rating by at least 1/2 star. :)
My daughter is going to be reading this book in her Peer Ministry class in high school, as a senior. I think a different book should be chosen if the goal is to inspire young people in the Catholic Church. I think this book should be used in teaching foundations of the Mass. The intent should just be clear.
Also, a book should only have one Taylor Swift reference. Three is way too many and will dock the rating by at least 1/2 star. :)
June 7, 2020
I loved this book. I’m a cradle catholic and I learnt so much. The Mass is broken down into parts and there are loads of suggestions how to go deeper in your faith. This is one of the best faith based books I’ve ever read.
June 11, 2023
Got 3/4 of the way and DNF
March 18, 2025
I enjoyed this book. The descriptions and teaching of each portion of mass was very enlightened and helpful.
August 17, 2025
A beautiful book that breaks down and explains each part of the mass in a relatable and digestible manner.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews