A Child's Missal [Hardcover]

Patmos (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: June 2004

This Child’s Missal takes an unusual approach to bringing children and parents alike into the mysteries of the Mass. In a harmonious mix of artwork, photos, Scripture, and text, it presents the story of how Christ’s life and the Mass are one. Going beyond the obvious connections of the Mass with the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, it shows how the rich symbolism of the Mass touches upon the rest of Christ’s life. Soon enough we realize how far reaching were Christ’s words when he said of the Mass, "Do this in memory of me".

Lofty though the ideas are, the story is told quite simply. The beautiful artwork is inspired by the best of Catholic icon tradition but re-created in a child-friendly style. The photographs from the Mass blend seamlessly with this art to create an integrated expression of what is being remembered in the Mass with what is being done.

Throughout the book, a guardian angel appears who guides a boy (called "Adam") and teaches him about the Mass. The text that accompanies the angel is filled with explanations and good advice addressed to the boy "Adam" and to each child reading or being read to.

This durable, hardbound Missal also makes a worthy catechism. It is highly visual, richly theological, and poetically beautiful. It will open the eyes of any child of God to the mysterious and wondrous reality of Christ’s life in the Mass.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

The Patmos Group promotes liturgical prayer by creating books and other tools for worship that feature beautiful presentations, theological richness, and ease of use.

Other books authored by Patmos include Evening Prayerbook: Sunday Vespers and The Rosary Book: Joyful Mysteries.

Excerpt. © Reprinted by permission. All rights reserved.

How to Use This Book

When we attend Mass we enter a world that is partly visible and partly invisible. A world of symbols and rituals, through which we remember Christ’s saving deeds and renew his Sacrifice. It is a world so full of meaning that even the holiest and wisest never stop wondering at its mystery.

So how do we begin to understand the mystery of the Mass? How do we begin to understand what’s going on around us as we sit, kneel, or stand in the presence of the Heavenly court?

St. Paul tells us that through visible things we come to understand things that are invisible. So we watch the actions of the priest, listen to the music, smell the incense as it rises with our prayers to God. And these become not only the way we pray but also the symbols through which we understand our own prayer—and what God has done for us.

This Child’s Missal is meant to help you in the same way. It uses pictures and artwork to express the mysteries of the Mass. It is like a window through which you can see the invisible world that takes place around you.

Use this Missal to pray at Mass. But also use it to learn about the Mass at home or in catechism class. Parents will also learn as they teach their children through this visual prayerbook.

On the following page you will find a guide that will help you understand more about how to learn and pray with this Child’s Missal.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 32 pages
• Publisher: Patmos (June 2004)
• ISBN-10: 0974174815
• ISBN-13: 978-0974174815
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 7.6 x 0.3 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #336,586 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A blessing, March 22, 2005

By 

FrKurt Messick "FrKurt Messick" (Bloomington, IN USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Child's Missal (Hardcover)

There is a quote on the back cover of this book that is very apropos - 'The history of the Church is the history of the Mass,' a statement made by Maria Montessori. This book shows the Mass, a traditional form of the Mass. There are certain elements that some parishes will perform differently (this book shows the priests facing the altar; many parish Masses have the celebrant facing the congregation now), but the overall structure of the Mass remains the same.

This is a book intended for children, but the several adults with whom I have shared the book have all found it to be beautifully presented and very accessible. One person said, 'My mother's book she took to mass was very intimidating to me, but this one makes it look wonderful!' Her sentiment is one that I echo; while I am trained in liturgy and theology (and thus presume to make a claim on some small understanding of what goes on during the Mass), there are other elements of the service that reach out to people in different ways, touching people in body, mind and spirit.

The visual images throughout the text, which include delightful iconography done by Sister Anna Marie McCormick (derivative of eighth-century icons) and children-oriented illuminations done by Adam Repka (again inspired by Christian imagery throughout history), are simply stunning. Rich in colour and detail, they serve the original functions of art in the church, which is to be both educational and devotional. The icons and illuminations tell the story in ways that bare words could never do. These images are supplementary to photography of acolytes, choristers, congregation and clergy performing their various functions together to celebrate the Mass.

Each section of the Mass is presented in a two-page spread. The careful reader will notice the Latin headings in white-reverse printing, very subtle, placed near the centre of each spread; the principle heading in English is on the top right, corresponding to the Latin title. Each section begins with a selection from scripture, and continues with simple explanations about what is happening and why at each point of the Mass. The graphic imagery includes an angel guiding a boy through the pages; this echoes such imaginative treks as Dante's visionary journey in the Divine Comedy.

The pages are durable and colourful, and should stand up to much use; the book itself is a hardback, in anticipation of children's use that can be a bit rough on books. This book is useful for following the action in church services as well as explaining things in catechism or personal learning times.

Patmos is new to publishing; this is one of three books currently available (they also have a book on the Rosary and a book for Sunday Evening Vespers). With books of the quality of this Child's Missal, they cannot help but to grow. This book is a blessing.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A gift for all Masses, November 9, 2004

By 

Carolyn Lynch-Quinonez "Carolyn Lynch Quinonez" (Arizona) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Child's Missal (Hardcover)

Wow! What a gift this was! I was surprised by how easy this book was to use. The pages were filled with many pictures, explanations and reflections for the mass. My children were so interested in the pictures and the different ways to explain what was going on during the mass. I found that I was turning the pages before they were! It not only taught my children about the traditions, the different parts and what we should be reflecting on during mass but it reminded me of everything that I learned growing up with a much simpler and glorified understanding. This Missal enpowered me as a parent to not only be an example but a more knowledgable teacher. Thank you.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars For a wide range of ages, May 3, 2005

By 

Paul "Pauli" (United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: A Child's Missal (Hardcover)

I'm not a child psychologist, but I believe one of the best things about this book is that it has something for children of all ages. (I'm sure adults might learn something about the mass from this as well.) My three-year-old is captivated by the pictures on each page which include very reverent photographic images, colorful icons and "cartoon pictures" of a guardian angel explaining different parts of the Mass to a little boy. There are scripture verses on every page as well. All in all a very Roman Catholic presentation of the liturgy which gives more precedent to the mystery and majesty of the Mass than many "children's missals".