The Traditional Latin Mass Explained

by Prosper Guéranger, Peter Kwasniewski (Foreword)

The spiritual vision of Dom Prosper Gueranger culminated in the primacy and centrality of the sacred liturgy, the opus Dei or work of God. He writes, “The liturgy is the highest and the holiest expression of the thought and intelligence of the Church, simply because it is carried out by the Church in direct communication with God, in confession, in prayer, and praise.”

The Traditional Latin Mass Explained, a succinct and sublime presentation of the prayers and ceremonies of the Latin Mass, is the perfect complement to his magnum opus, The Liturgical Year. This short work delivers a surprisingly complete exposition of the theology and spirituality of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass by way of commentary on the texts and gestures of the Tridentine Rite. In this way, beyond its author’s original intention, this gem of a book is capable of revealing to us anew the treasure we have always possessed in this magnificent liturgy, the tragedy of its near extinction in the period after the Second Vatican Council, and the immense blessing of its gradual return across the Catholic world. Consequently, as time goes on, we shall have not less but more and more reason to take up again the writings of Dom Gueranger, discovering in him, not a relic of the nineteenth century, but a prophet of the twenty-first.

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

124 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 1, 2006

About the author

Dom Prosper Louis Pascal Guéranger, Servant of God, was a Benedictine priest, abbot of Solesmes Abbey (which he founded in the disused priory of Solesmes) and founder of the French Benedictine Congregation (now the Solesmes Congregation). Dom Guéranger was the author of The Liturgical Year, which covers every day of the Catholic Church's Liturgical Cycle in 15 volumes. He was well regarded by Pope Pius IX, and was a proponent of the dogmas of papal infallibility and the Immaculate Conception. Dom Guéranger is credited with reviving the Benedictine Order in France, and revitalizing the Tridentine Mass.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prosper...

Reviews

[Ryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent spiritual reflection on the true mass for all time. This little book is suitable for multiple readings for devotional purposes and for a bit of history and theology on the mass and the meaning of the various rubrics. Every Catholic should read this and understand what a loss to the Church was the introduction of the Novus Ordo in 1969.

[John Ray Catingub · Rating 5 out of 5]

Straightforward and direct without being overly scholarly or too basic, this explanation of the Latin Mass is a must-read for anyone who loves the Sacrament, or wants to learn more about the traditional celebration. Familiarity with Latin, or at least a nearby translator, are recommended because the book does not always provide translation for the Latin prayers.

[Walter Plymale · Rating 5 out of 5]

“The Holy Mass” by Dom Guéranger is the most thorough commentary on the ceremonies of the Traditional Latin Mass. Dom Guéranger is a treasure trove of historical facts on the development of the Mass. He also offers spiritual insight into the very mystery of the Eucharist. My favourite part of “The Holy Mass” was when he breaks the Roman Canon down line by line. The physical edition by Baronius Press is high quality hardback with wonderful typesetting. I cannot highly recommend this book enough.

[Shay · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really great stuff! This book presents an angle to the Mass that I have always vaguely wondered about, but have never had the opportunity to tackle. It analyzes the why behind the things that we do in church. Super informative and not too long, either. I would say it is of medium length.

[Michał · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dobre kompendium.

[Zach de Walsingham · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent. Some typos in the Loreto Publications edition.

[J. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a good book to read, especially for those Catholics who are considering attending The Traditional Latin Mass, or Mass in the Extraordinary Form. As a note however, this is written prior to the 1962 Mass. Therefore, while it is largely consistent and unchanged, there maybe parts that either were omitted, edited or put into the Mass compared to what this author wrote about.

As a recommendation, I would read the book in the Reverse form of what the author had written, by that I mean, I would read The Third Part of the Book (Ordinary of the Mass) first, then The Second Part (Canon of the Mass), and finally the First Part (Explanation of the Holy Mass), especially if you find yourself learning as you go. To compliment this book, I would certainly say getting your hand on the 1962 Missal and then comparing the two books when it comes to the Rubrics would be most helpful and enlightening to help you get Spiritually Online to the Holy Mass of the Extraordinary Form.

[Eric · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thorough and enlightening.

[Randy Shed Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Well worth the read!

This is well worth the read. As one dives into the deeper mysteries of the Roman Mass, this book adds valuable insights as it walks you through the mass

[Meg Pilcher · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect addition to a regular Latin mass. If you’re ever looking for a quick explanation of where the mass comes from or the history of the prayers, this little gem walks you through everything!

[Nativist Crusader · Rating 5 out of 5]

A profound and well-written explanation of the Orders of the Mass and its origins.