The Wonders of the Mass
Father Paul O'Sullivan
ISBN 9780895554918
eISBN 9781505102420
ASIN B00T6NOHIS
This was the second volume from Father Paul that I have read. I picked the first, The Wonders of the Mass, book up because it was promoted by TAN books in an email blast. They were promoting a bundle of books by Father Paul O'Sullivan. I know I have seen the covers before. After reading the first one I picked up a few more. And this was the second volume I have read. The description of this book is:
“Says "The Mass is the greatest wonder in the world," seconded only by "the next greatest wonder. . .the indifference and ignorance of Catholics regarding the Mass." Quotes Saints, plus Our Lord Himself in revelations to various Saints. Filled with incomparable insights on the glories of the Mass.”
And the chapters are:
The Wonders of Holy Mass
What is the Mass?
The Joy of the Saints at Mass
Priests, The Happiest of Men
The Benefits of the Mass
Priests – Angels on Earth
How to Hear Mass with profit
This was a great little volume. It is the second by Father Paul I have read and it will not be the last. Right now, legally I cannot attend mass. But I can attend online masses. I have been able to attend Latin Masses, Extraordinary forms of the mass, and mass by several priests who I have read books from and follow-on social media. Not being able to attend mass for most of the past year has mad me realize how important and central it is to my life. This book offers tips and advice for appreciating the mass more. And for realizing it’s power and centrality to our faith. And even if I am mostly watching online this book can help me to learn to go deeper.
Some of the sections I highlighted my first time through this volume are:
“The Mass is the greatest wonder in the world. There is nothing on Earth equal to it, and there is nothing in Heaven greater than it.”
“No intelligent, no enlightened Christian would fail to attend Mass if he only knew what it was.”
“By hearing Mass, the day would become worth a thousand days to them, so wonderful would be the graces and benefits they should receive.”
“Similar wonderful favors are granted to the humblest of the faithful, to anyone who hears Mass devoutly.”
“St. John Damascene: “If anyone wishes to know how the bread is changed into the Body of Jesus Christ, I will tell him. The Holy Ghost overshadows the priest and acts on him as He acted on the Blessed Virgin Mary.””
“4. Nothing on this Earth, nothing in Heaven itself, gives more glory to God and obtains more benefits for us than a single Mass.”
“7. No prayers, no suffrages, no matter how fervent, can help the Holy Souls as the Mass. Oh, let us think of the Souls in Purgatory! Among them may be our dear father and mother and friends. We can help them most easily, we can relieve their awful pains most efficaciously by hearing Mass for them.”
“All good Christians would do well to follow these holy examples and ask God every time they hear Mass to grant them the grace of a holy death and freedom from the fires of Purgatory.”
“One Mass heard with understanding and devotion obtains for us more graces than a hundred, than a thousand Masses heard carelessly and in ignorance of what the Mass is.”
“Remember, Dear Reader, that the day you hear Mass is worth a thousand days to you, that all the labors and works of a day, or a week, or a whole year are nothing in comparison with the value of one Mass.”
As can be see by these samples from the book. The book helps us realize the importance of the Mass. Helps us learn to draw in deeper during mass. And helps us to get the most out of the mass. It is an excellent volume that any Catholic would benefit from reading.
Note: This book is part of a series of reviews: 2021 Catholic Reading Plan!
Books by Father Paul Henry O'Sullivan, O.P:
How to Avoid Purgatory
My Lord and My God, Or, Visits to the Blessed Sacrament
Our Lady of Fatima
Read Me or Rue It
St. Patrick and the Irish
The Divine Office: How to Say it Devoutly, How to Make it a Pleasure
The Glorious Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary
The Story of a Great Man: Doctor Antonio de Oliveira Salazar
The Ten Commandments: For Real - For Now
What Ireland Owes to Portugal
…
No comments:
Post a Comment