When Mass is being celebrated, the sanctuary is filled with countless angels who adore the Divine Victim immolated on the altar." - St. John Chrysostom
Have you ever felt lost during Mass? Like you didn't really understand what was happening? Or do you just want to deepen your understanding and appreciation for this wonderful moment that unfolds before your eyes every Sunday? Then this book is for you.
Join Charles Johnston as he unpacks the unending depth and infinite beauty of the Holy Sacrifice of The Mass.
"Let the entire man be seized with fear; let the whole world tremble; let heaven exult when Christ, the Son of the Living God, is on the altar in the hands of the priest. O admirable height and stupendous condescension! O humble sublimity! O sublime humility! that the Lord of the universe, God and the Son of God, so humbles Himself that for our salvation He hides Himself under a morsel of bread." - St. Francis of Assisi
This beautifully written, yet readily tangible account of the beauty of the mass is a perfect companion for Catholics and anyone interested in furthering their understanding of the mass. Written by a convert from evangelical Protestantism, this richly referenced mass aid dissects the underlying sources of both the Liturgy of the Word and Liturgy of the Eucharist in an easily digestible format.
Having attended weekly mass for 30 years and read numerous books on the subject, I closed the work having learned several core tenets of my faith as it relates to the mass (i.e. the Kyrie is the only prayer within the contemporary mass which originated from Greek). Also notable are the appendices reviewing the Our Father and the four marks of the Church.
Kudos to Mr. Johnston for his richly researched review that is easily digested across the entire spectrum of believers.
I am an adult convert also, almost 50 years. I didn't have RCIA and have learned by self study the depth and richness that Mr. Johnson writes in his testimony. I would have loved to have this "Handbook" as a companion and guide being a new Catholic. I regret it is not in print, I would carry a copy at all times. Excellent and well written.
Perhaps not the most scholarly book ever written, but definitely full of wonderful knowledge about our beautiful religion. There are facts shared by Mr. Johnston that I, as a cradle Catholic, Parochial school grad and Catholic college grad was never aware of. This will make you a better Catholic.