Customer Reviews

Praying the Mass: The Prayers of the People

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The book was recommended by a Catholic website, I thought it was excellent. I was surprised that it seemed not to have been published by a well-known editor, maybe because the new translation of the Mass has not yet been officially approved. There certainly would be many Catholics interested in this very thoughtful commentary on the Novus Ordo translation of the Mass.

I bought this book because I know that there are going to be a number changes to the Mass translation here in the US. I didn't want to wait until this fall or winter when my parish would begin to explain the changes right before they are due to take place, so upon recommendation of others, I purchased this book.
The author, Jeffery Pinyan, takes us step by step through the mass and tells exactly what is changing and how it is changing and more importantly, WHY it's changing. And not only does he explain the changes taking place, he explains the entire Mass very VERY well.
I believe that this book would be especially helpful to those who are making the journey to Catholicism via RCIA. As an RCIA kind of Catholic of almost 25 years, I wish this book had been available to me back then. Should anyone I know or love begin the RCIA program I would purchase this book as a gift for them to begin their walk with Jesus and the Church.
I also think that cradle Catholics of any age will enjoy this book and learn a lot about how they celebrate their faith in the Mass. Understanding what is happening makes it so much easier to be a part of the Mass, not to just say the right words at the right time, but to say them with love and feeling and understanding.
Great book, buy it!

It has often been said, that in order to appreciate something or someone, one has to "know" that something or someone. When it comes to the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, many Catholics find themselves simply going through the motions and not really knowing why. In his book, Jeffrey Pinyan seeks to help us grow in our understanding of the Mass which in turn will deepen one's prayer during the Mass. Not only does his book deepen one's prayer experience, but it can be regarded as a wonderful resource to have for general knowledge and research. As a graduate theologian, I HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who desires to learn more about the Mass, deepen their spiritual awareness, or to use for research purposes.

I've just ordered the author's second book, Praying the Mass: Priestly Preparation and Ceremonial, based upon the few chapters that I've just read of the first. I had ordered the first in the hopes of sharing with cradle Catholics some of the depth of understanding of the mass that I, as a convert, had learned through my RCIA studies. But what a surprise! Instead of a 'once over lightly' of the rubrics and a few of the reasons for them, I found a veritable FEAST. As I read, I must stop every few verses and digest, much like the 'Selah' of the Psalms. While Scott Hahn's work on the Mass, The Lamb's Supper, whisked my mind and heart away into the heavenlies, this work rends the curtain between the two sanctuaries, allowing a synthesis that will forever change my experience of the mass - perhaps as much as Dr Hahn's book has! God bless both authors for their gifts to the Church.

Great book, explains the parts of the mass perfectly which is exactly what I was looking for. You will find that the next time you go to mass the different parts will have a whole new meaning for you. It also explains what all the new terms mean. Buy it!

I found this book very interesting. The author takes the reader thorough the Mass noting all the prayers and responses of the people. He gives the latin text and the new translation of each prayer or response, noting where the new translation differs. More importanly, he gives the history of that section of the Mass and why the new translation is a closer fit. He also gives Bible verses to go with the prayers and Resopnses.

The book gave me a deeper appreciation of the Mass and our Tradition.