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

by Michael Dubruiel (Author) "Almost two thousand years ago, on the night before He died, Jesus of Nazareth celebrated the Passover meal with His disciples..." (more)
Key Phrases: candidates for full communion, great amen, opening hymn, Jesus Christ, Holy Spirit, Word of God (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
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

About the Author
Michael Dubruiel is the author of 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 is a frequent speaker and retreat director. --This text refers to the Paperback edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 224 pages
• Publisher: Our Sunday Visitor; illustrated edition edition (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: 4.8 out of 5 stars See all reviews (64 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #323,054 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

121 of 124 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

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.

102 of 104 people found the following review helpful:

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

By	scientific mom (Omaha, NE) - See all my reviews

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.

46 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Guide for the New Catholic or Old Catholic!, April 2, 2004

By A Customer

I was born Catholic, before Vatican II and there is so much about the Mass that I didn't know, well I thought I knew until I read this book. The author does a great job at showing how every prayer in the Mass is from the Bible and a running meditation throughout the book helps one to see the connection between the connnection between the Mass and Jesus.
The book is full of helpful advice on how to stay focused during the Mass, how to deal with the quirks of liturgical ministers, and even how to hear a great sermon at every Mass--I found this to be especially a big help because my pastor isn't the greatest preacher.
Everything is presented simply, yet there is a depth of knowledge here that even impressed my pastor when I mentioned to him a topic that I had just read about Lord's Prayer.
I highly recommend this book to those who are Catholic and have never really been given any instruction on the Mass (like me) and also to those who are thinking about joining the Catholic Church and want a better understanding of what goes on during the Mass.