Product Description

"Mass Appeal" is the perfect aid to help you learn the basics of the Mass--and to have a greater appreciation of the richness and depth of Catholic worship. This booklet will guide you through the Mass, whether you are attending one for the first time or whether you have been going for years. "Mass Appeal" explains the fundamentals of the Mass and where they come from in Scripture and Christian history. It shows how the parts fit together and what they mean. It also offers important practical advice about how to deepen your understanding of Catholic worship. Ideal for use by individuals, classes, and small groups, "Mass Appeal" contains helpful information, including an outline of the liturgy and the ways you can find the meaning of almost any term connected with the Mass. If you wonder what a particular part of the Mass is named, or what is the significance of a certain action or prayer, "Mass Appeal" will tell you. It is an ideal tool to assist anyone who wants to better know and to benefit from the treasure that is the Mass.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #652232 in Books
• Published on: 2003-12
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 32 pages

Review
"This booklet demonstrates a two-fold love--a love of the Mass and a love of the newcomer to it." -- Fr. Mitch Pacwa, S.J., Eternal World Television Network

From the Publisher
"Mass Appeal: The ABCs of Worship" walks you through the Mass from beginning to end, explaining precisely what is happening and--more importantly--why. The book explains all the things--candles, incense, vestments, statues, chalices, and so forth--you see at Mass, explaining what they are, why they're there, and what they mean. You'll see--perhaps for the first time--precisely how all the pieces of the Mass fit together to create a single, coherent whole. And you'll appreciate the Mass more than you do now. Use this booklet to improve your own understanding of the Mass, to get more out of the Mass, and to assist in your apologetics and evangelization efforts. Or give it to someone who is encountering the Mass for the first time and is having trouble absorbing all that is going on. It's also perfect for RCIA and CCD classes and parish pamphlet racks.

About the Author
Jimmy Akin is the director of apologetics and evangelization for Catholic Answers, an apostolate devoted to explaining and defending the Catholic faith. His books include "Mass Confusion: The Do's and Don'ts of Catholic Worship."

Customer Reviews

Mass for the newcomer.
Anyone who has lived most of their life outside the Christian faith or has always been a Protestant will almost always find that their first experience with Mass is overwhelming. Mass stimulates all of the senses at one point or another and anyone from outside of the Catholic tradition will often quickly become confused and bewildered as they try to figure out all that is going on. Mr. Akin has done a wonderful job of explaining the Mass in a way that anyone can understand. This is not some massive tome that will take you days to read, but almost a pamphlet that is short and to the point. It won't take you long to read this little book and the time will be well invested for you will learn a lot.

Akin explains the parts of the Mass, which are the Introductory Mass, The Liturgy of the Word, The Liturgy of the Eucharist, and the Concluding Rites. Within each section the author takes pains to explain in the simplest terms what is going on. He also covers what the non-Catholic will see in a Catholic Church that they might not be familiar with and also the different positions of people in the Church and what they will be doing during Mass. There is even a paragraph about the vestments worn by the priests and deacons.

After reading this anyone will have a basic understanding of the parts that make up the Mass and why each particular thing is done. If you plan on visiting a Catholic Church, are thinking of converting, or are just seeking more knowledge and understanding of the worlds largest Christian body, "Mass Appeal" would be a great place to start. If Amazon doesn't have it, check with your local Catholic Church as they may have some copies on hand.

ABCs of Mass indeed
I'm a life-long Catholic and I still found this little pamphlet-type book informative. I imagine Akin's intended audience is those who haven't had that much experience with the Mass; yet I learned some things. This book goes through all the rites of mass, from beginning to end (or shall I say Introductory to Concluding?), and though his descriptions are brief, they're filled with information. After reading this book, you should have a good idea on what's going on.

stand, sit, kneel, stand, sit, stand, kneel...now you will know why!
Ever wonder why Catholics stand, sit, and kneel so much during mass? Are they really restless and feel they need to circulate the blood? Why not just sit the whole time?

Well, Jimmy Akin's booklet will answer the basic questions most people have about the mass. He does not go into the small details and complete history of the mass, but instead he puts forth what is going on during the mass, step by step, and breaks it down into four simple parts. What is what, and why things are there.

After reading 30 pages of well written information of the mass, I now have a new found respect and reverance for what is going on. I have been going to mass all my life (21 years) and learned a lot from this booklet. Of course, this is only a booklet, but Jimmy Akin gives suggestions for further reading on this topic.

I would recommend this booklet to anyone considering Catholicism so that they may learn the basics of a Catholic Mass. Also, Catholics who have been attending mass all their life would benefit from this must-have. Just a few dollars to gain knowledge of what may be a mystery to the rest of the world.