The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You [Paperback]

Michael Dubruiel (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 2002

Mass (mas) n. 1. The Liturgy of the Eucharist. 2. The Breaking of the Bread. 3. To send forth with blessing.

Maybe you are a recent convert, or perhaps you’ve attended Mass your whole life, but there are still things that puzzle you — like when you should genuflect and when you should bow. What the different books used at Mass are and what they contain. The meaning of words like "Amen," "Alleluia," or "Hosanna." What to do during the Sign of Peace.

You aren’t alone.

The How-To Book of the Mass not only provides the who, what, where, when, and why of the most time-honored traditions of the Catholic Church, but also the how. All in an easy-to-read, easy-to understand format.

In this complete guide to the celebration of the Eucharist you get:

• Step-by-step guidelines to walk you through the Mass

• Explanation of the various parts of the Mass

• Biblical background of the prayers of the Mass

• Insights from the Tradition and teaching of the Church

• Practical aid to overcoming distractions

• Concrete ways to grow in your relationship with our Lord at every Mass

If you want to get something out of every Mass you attend — and share this grace with others — you need The How-To Book of the Mass.

Learn the right way to:

• Bless yourself with holy water

• Make the Sign of the Cross

• Genuflect

• Pray before Mass

• Sing the opening hymn

• Confess your sins

• Listen to the Scriptures

• Get meaning out of every homily

• Intercede for others

• Be a good steward

• Give thanks to God

• Offer the Sign of Peace

• Receive the Eucharist

• Accept a blessing

• Spread the Good News

"Every day Our Lord humbles himself just as he did when he came from his heavenly throne into the Virgin's womb; every day he comes to us and lets us see him in abjection, when he descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar… We, too, with our own eyes, see only bread and wine, but we must see further and firmly believe that this is his most holy Body and Blood, living and true. In this way our Lord remains continually with his followers, as he promised." — Saint Francis Assisi

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Michael Dubruiel authored ten books, including the sequel to
this book, How to Get the Most Out of the Eucharist. He holds a master's degree in Christian Spirituality from Creighton University in Omaha. He passed away on February 3, 2009. --This text refers to an alternate Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor (September 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1931709327
• ISBN-13: 978-1931709323
• Product Dimensions: 7.7 x 6.8 x 0.5 inches
• Shipping Weight: 8.5 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (74 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #847,821 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 155 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars One-stop-shopping for all, April 26, 2003

By 

Arthem "arthem" (Knoxville, TN USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You (Paperback)

I can easily see how this book would be indispensable for those new to the Catholic faith. In fact, I was tempted to buy this book for the entire RCIA class this year (pecuniary interests prevented this, of course).

What may not be so obvious is the value to cradle Catholics. So many details of the Mass are lost in the fog of CCD & "Religion Class" (in my day, calling it "Catechism Class" would have offended the hippies and ex-nuns). Details on the meaning and purpose of bowing vs. genuflecting, signs of the Cross, etc., were invaluable, as was the emphasis on the liturgical calendar and historical origins of different components of the Mass.

The author does a great job of focusing on the Real Meaning, as opposed to simply detailing the mechanics. The Scriptural storyline provided is relevant and helpful, as are the personal anecdotes. Also helpful was the admonition to the overscrupulous. It was particularly appropriate for me to be armed with humility when I began to notice fellow parishioners genuflecting to the empty tabernacle on Good Friday.

The only thing missing from this book is an appendix of prayers during Mass (before & after are provided). While referencing the text of the Gloria, the Confiteor, etc., the full text was not provided. Obviously these can be obtained elsewhere, but it would have been nice to have them for reference in this book.

In summary, Dubruiel's work ought to provide an entertaining and instructive read for any Catholic - cradle, convert, or returning, as well as providing a full explanation for non-Catholics wondering what the "smells & bells" are all about.

118 of 121 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars An Enlightened Cradle Catholic, November 14, 2003

By 

scientific mom - See all my reviews

This review is from: The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You (Paperback)

As a "cradle Catholic", I'm pleasantly surprised to find how much I learned from this book! At age 25, I obviously know the "how" of mass, but this book also gives the "why" - something I was (unfortunately) never taught in CCD growing up. It explains the rituals of the mass by telling of their uses in the early church and/or relevant passages in the bible. It also gives "opportunities for spiritual growth" in the sidebars that are especially helpful to the cradle Catholic. I know I will get at least twice as much out of attending mass from now on!

The book is an "easy" (fast) read. I read half in one sitting; I suppose it might take a little longer for a new or non-Catholic not already familiar with the traditional mass. It is not too overbearing or complicated and would therefore be great for teens with a ho-hum attitude toward attending mass.

My mother always used to complain that my generation was not taught the "parts of the mass" in CCD as hers was. I don't know if this is a result of changes made by Vatican II, or simply the archdiocese I grew up in. I hope CCD children today are again taught the parts of the mass; I personally purchased this book to learn more myself so I can teach my own children better. After reading it, I wish I could afford to pass out copies at my church to the other parishioners of my generation who are obviously also not getting as much from the mass as they could be!

I agree with another reviewer that it would have been nice if the text of the prayers explained were included in the book, even if just in the back. But don't let this keep you from purchasing it; if you are a cradle Catholic, you already KNOW the prayers. If you are new, they can be easily found in a missal at any Catholic church.

59 of 60 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars I highly recommend this book!, August 3, 2003

By A Customer

This review is from: The How-To Book of the Mass: Everything You Need to Know But No One Ever Taught You (Paperback)

I bought this book several a couple of months ago but just really delved into it more deeply this week. I used it in preparing a talk about the mass for our RCIA group. I have many books on the mass but this one was the most help. The catechumens and candidates and even some of the sponsors got interested in it after seeing me refer to it a few times in my talk. Several of them asked me to order copies for them.

One of the nice features of this book is the content on "how" to go to mass. The author tells us what happens in the mass and why, but also explains how to get more out of the mass every time.
Great book. You won't be sorry for buying it.