Many Catholics attend Mass without fully understanding its meaning and purpose. This book was written to provide that understanding.
Author Father Thomas Kocik walks the reader through each part of the Mass, explaining the meaning of the prayers, the sacred vestments, the bodily gestures (such as bowing and genuflecting), and how each of these fit into the overall “drama” of the Mass.
He explains these things in a clear, easy-to-follow style. But there is real substance here as well: Fr. Kocik often discusses the history behind a particular prayer or gesture, and the Scriptural background as well. This is no dry textbook. He makes understanding the Mass an enjoyable journey. Although written for adults, high school students will enjoy it, too.
The Mass is a treasure-house of grace, but all too often the doors to this treasure-house remain closed through a lack of understanding. This book was written to open the doors — to help Catholics appreciate and embrace the transformative power of the Mass.
About the Author
Father Thomas Kocik is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts and a member of the Society for Catholic Liturgy. He is the author of Apostolic Succession in an Ecumenical Context (Alba House, 1996), The Reform of the Reform? A Liturgical Debate (Ignatius Press, 2003), and several periodical articles.
Praise for Loving and Living the Mass
“An excellent short treatment of the Mass for new Catholics and cradle Catholics as well. The author invites you to a real understanding of the Mass as a deeply spiritual event.”
—Fr. Benedict Groeschel
“Sadly many cradle Catholics have very little sense of what the Mass even means unless they somehow encounter a good catechist. Fr. Kocik is that man. He points out that EVERYTHING within the liturgy has meaning, and writes with a soft tone throughout. Loving and Living the Mass is perfect for teenagers and adults, written with simplicity, clarity, and doctrinal soundness.
I volunteer for the RCIA (Rite of Christian Initiation for Adults) program in my parish and have given a copy of this book to all of the candidates and to the catchecists as well.”
—Anthony (Houston, TX)
