Preparing Yourself for Mass

Rating:
Summary: This is a book about spiritual atmosphere and symbolism.
Review: Preparing Yourself for the Mass, formerly Meditations Before Mass, by Romano Guardini, is a book discussing the meaning, symbolism and spirituality of the Mass. He talks about the proper way to approach the Mass, its significance, the difference between the arena of the Mass and the "marketplace" of the world, the symbolism of the words spoken, artifacts used, etc. He also discusses, interwoven in this, the significance of appearance, deportment and "external symbolism" in the body of a man - spiritual vs "worldly" man - in other words, how our outer appearance affects our inner state, and vice versa. It is a very beautiful meditation on the importance of atmosphere, appearance, dignity and respect, and the importance of being able to discern chaos, bad taste, noise, affliction and those things which mitigate against right relationship with God. This is very important for the age we live in, in which things spiritual are often under severe attack. Highly recommended.