If Your Mind Wanders at Mass

by Thomas Howard

Book Overview

Distractions, fatigue, boredom at Sunday worship-maybe we experience these because we don't fully appreciate what's going on at Mass. Howard's profound and practical look at the liturgy focuses our wandering minds. It reminds us that at Mass the veil separating earth and heaven lifts, so that we stand with angels and saints in the presence of God Most High.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0898707617
• ISBN13: 9780898707618
• Release Date: March 2001
• Publisher: Ignatius Press
• Length: 128 Pages
• Weight: 0.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 4.8" x 7.3"

Customer Reviews

So Helpful

If you, like me find yourself not able to focus on the mass this is a tremendous help. Thankfully, this book put the mass in perspective and allowed me to enjoy and participate on another level.

Wonderful!

Thomas Howard has given ordinary Catholics a wonderful gift in this beautiful little book. Even those whose minds never wander at Mass should read it. Howard aptly leads the reader through a step-by-step tour of the Mass, pausing along the way to explain the heavenly significance of each minute detail of the liturgy. This book would not be particularly appropriate primer for someone who had never been to a Catholic church, but Catholics who have always wondered why we do things the way we do will find their appreciation of the Mass greatly increased by reading this slim volume.

Helpful at every Mass I've attended

Thomas Howard's book, If Your Mind Wanders at Mass, has given me visual images and insights that I have carried with me at every Mass I've attended since reading it. The significance of each part of the Mass is beautifully explained. For instance, Mr. Howard discusses the very first prayers at the Mass, where we first approach the Almighty God. What will the response of the Almighty be to His creatures? A greeting of peace and fellowship - how could God be so good to us? I had never really noticed the number of times the greetings such as "The Lord be with you/And also with you" are exchanged during the Mass, and Mr. Howard suggests that such greetings resound throughout heaven, that place of peace and love. Simple yet profound thoughts on all parts of the Mass are found throughout this small book. Reading it has given me a far greater appreciation for the gift of the Mass and greatly increased my gratitude for being able to participate in it.

Wonderful, short, easy to read book

What a simply wonderful book! This book really helped me to get more out of my participation at Mass, and to understand why things the way they are at Mass. This is a book you can go back to, time after time.

An indepth review of the Catholic Mass

Some people might take offense at the title of the book, and on the basis of that alone, not pick it up and read it. "Why, I always pay attention at Mass, I don't need this book." might be a common reply to the question asked by the title of this book, and they'd be fully justified in that answer, however this book can still help them out, and even come to a DEEPER appreciation of the Mass. Dr. Howard's book doesn't intend on giving suggestions on how we can "bide our time" during a boring church service, rather, Dr. Howard explains the meaning behind each part of the Mass and tells us why it is done, and why it has always been done this way. This book is meant as a resource, to give us a deeper appreciation of the Mass, allowing us to connect more deeply with each phase of the mass on a spiritual level. For those who are not Catholic, and are not familiar with the Mass, this book will serve as a valuable resouce for them, explaining why things are done and what to expect if the non-Catholic should ever attend a Mass. For Catholics, they will come to a deeper understanding and appreciation of why the Mass is the pinnacle of Christian worship, and why it should be treated as such. I highly recommend this book for everyone.