Customer Reviews

Child's Guide to the Mass

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

This book explains the mass in simple and clear terms, with an insight that would be helpful for casual Catholics too. My French grandson-age 4- was fascinated by the celebration of Mass during a recent visit.He insisted that his mom explain everything that the Priest said. I bought this book so that he and his little sister could remember our religious celebration. Both of the kids love this book and insist that my daugther read it to them most nights.

This book explains the sequence of the Mass very well, and is quite engaging. The illustrations are interesting to kids - at least to mine!

I would have preferred a little more background on the why's of the Mass. The book focuses somewhat on who does what and when. I'd like to see just a sentence or two that goes into the theology. What does it *mean* when the priest offers up the bread and wine during the offertory? How is that different from the Consecraton?

It has been very valuable, and if used as a starting point for discussing the why's, then it can't be faulted.

This is nice book for children to learn about the mass. It is geared toward older children though, a little old for my four year old. It gives the names for each part of mass, which is nice but the words are too big for small children. My daughter kept losing interest but each page asks a question that quickly caught her attention again. I actually thought this book would go more in depth about mass, listing the prayers and explaining church a little more, but it didn't. Overall is it a cute modern book for older children.

Not recommended for those who prefer more traditional, reverent type of mass. It is for those who like the mass more as a social gathering, and not as holy sacrifice, and want their kids to think that way. The priest starts mass by saying loud 'Good morning everyone', then choir performs with guitars, and Sign of Peace where everyone tries to hand shake as many people as possible.

I had the opportunity to look at this book at the library. I was disappointed in the over-simplified language, but most of all the illustrations that show some forms of liturgical abuses. If you take a look at the cover with all the kids standing with the priest as if they might be possibly be up on the altar saying the Our Father together (although I don't know for sure that's what the illustration is), you get the idea. One of the pictures is of the priest is giving a homily down in front of the congregation, not from a pulpit... little things like that.
As far as the language used to explain the parts of the Mass, I think the proper terminology can be given and explained at a child's level instead of using "near synonyms" for what is going on. Some of the terms and descriptions given were not acurate or theologically/liturgically correct.
If you want to teach your child about the Mass without liturgical abuses and dumbed-down language - stay away from this one!!

This is good, but too old for my 2 year old granddaughter. Probably better for Kindergarten age.

A good book to add to the church bag, but definitely not structured a missal and harder for my younger kids to follow along during Mass since it's wordy. I like the friendly pictures and tone, however. It's a good book, just not recommended if you're looking for a book that will help the kids follow along with Mass.

I bought this book 1-2 years ago for my godson, who is almost 6. It took him a while, but he loves it. I am now buying a second book b/c his sister, who is 3, also loves it, and they argue over the book during mass. :) They both like it a lot. I like it b/c it shows people of all different ages, races, and abilities attending mass.

I used this book in addition to the textbook for my first grade PSR (CCD) class this year and then sent it on to my kindergarten aged granddaughter. This is a well written book for children with delightful illustrations. It doesn't go into the why but that is something that can be added by parents or teachers. I found the book most helpful and recommend it for both home and PSR use.

The little six year old daughter of a friend of mine was the receipient of this book. After her mother helped her read through it one time she now wants to be a eucharistic minister at mass. I couldn't give you any better of a review than that for the Grace of God working through this little book.
It was also sent in very good condition for the price.
Thank you,
Bob O