Mass Appeal: The ABCs of Worship

Rating:
Summary: Mass for the newcomer.
Review: 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.