"Was ever another command so obeyed? For century after century, spreading slowly to every continent and country and among every race on earth, this action has been done in every conceivable human circumstance for every conceivable human need, from infancy and before it, to extreme old age and after it, . . . and best of all, week by week, and month by month, on a hundred thousand Sundays, faithfully, unfailingly, across all the parishes of Christendom, priest and people continue to work together in order to carry out this command, "Do this in memory of me." — Don Gregory Dix
As a pastor of many souls in a large parish, Fr. Eamon Tobin helps all people grow in their understanding and appreciation of the Mass. A Simple Explanation of The Mass includes a commentary on each part of the Mass, questions for personal and group reflection at the end of each chapter, and practical suggestions on how to enter into the Mass more consciously, actively and fruitfully.
A SIMPLE EXPLANATION OF THE MASS by Eamon Tobin – read in March 2023
When the priest at mass insisted after his long sermon that we read this book, I thought I’d try and grabbed a copy as I left church. I am still not sure if the book was for sale or for parishioners to take as it is only after I reached home that I saw a price on the cover.
I thought I needed to refresh my knowledge of some rituals, and learn where I was ignorant about others, and I was pleasantly surprised. Although divided into brief chapters and very clearly written, the content is not only about the rituals themselves but about the when, the why and the how. It insists on the meaningfulness of it all, of the spirituality and is a vehicle leading to growing in depth and in heart if we choose to.
Eamon Tobin combines teaching and writing ability, and this 101 on Catholicism can be multiplied as we read along.