The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Catholic Mass

“The Holy Mass is as full of mysteries as the ocean is full of drops, or as the sky is full of stars, and as the courts of Heaven are full of Angels. For in it so many mysteries are daily performed that I should be at a loss to say whether greater or more lofty wonders have ever been accomplished by divine omnipotence.” St. Bonaventure (p. 49 of book)This book examines the Traditional Latin Mass and expounds upon each part in relation to the soul who assists at the Mass. It is excellent.“In Holy Mass we receive treasures so wonderful and so real gifts so divine and so costly: benefits so many appertaining to this temporal life, hope so certain for the life which is to come, that without faith it would be impossible for us to believe this to be true.” St. Bonaventure (p. 49-50)This book shares inspiring stories of individuals who reaped personal benefits from attending Mass, such as a man who, through his daily devotion, was blessed with the ability to provide for his children.Oh, there are so many examples of how important the Mass is for our souls. For instance, there was a man who appeared to his friend after his death and expressed gratitude for the unnecessary prayers. He said that every day of his life, he recited five Paters and five Aves for the five wounds. ( p. 278) Another example is the story of a farmer who, in his old age, was about to stop going to his daily Mass. However, upon seeing his guardian angel with a bundle of roses for each Mass he attended, he decided to keep going until the end of his life.These stories highlight the transformative power of the Traditional Catholic Mass.Our religion teaches us to hope firmly in Christ’s Death and Passion, these are not just invoked but actually experienced during each valid Mass. We are present at the foot of the cross on Calvary.And we offer this to the Father, for there is no means more efficacious to appease the Father’s anger than His OnlyBegotten, as He immolates Himself on the altar, we offer an oblation.Great Kings and Queens are cited for hearing Mass, daily many times. St. Louis of France heard Mass two, three and sometimes four times. The graces were so needed, no doubt.Saints are quoted in this book to back up the incredible promise of the Mass.In addition, excellent prayers are provided for the devout.At the Consecration Elevation p. 329.“My God, I offer thee thy beloved Son, here present upon the altar.”At the Elevation of the Chalice:“I offer thee the Sacred Blood of Christ for the living and the dead.” (and during the day!) p. 330p. 362 St. Mechtilde is quoted explaining how Our Lord comes to those assisting at Mass.p. 368 St. Bonaventure’s prayer at Mass.“Behold, O Eternal Father, this Thine only-begotten Son, whom all the world cannot contain, is now a prisoner in our hands. We will not surrender Him to Thee until, for His sake, Thou grant us what we earnestly request from Thee. We desire more forgiveness of our sins, forgiveness of our debts, an increase of grace, abundance of virtue, and the bliss of the world to come.”p. 374“I offer Thee, O heavenly Father, this Holy Sacrifice, I offer Thee Thy Beloved Son, His Incarnation, His birth, His Passion. I offer Thee His sweat of blood, His scourging, His crowning with thorns, the carrying of the Cross. I offer Thee the Crucifixion, the cruel death He Endured, the crimson stream that flowed from His Wounds; I offer all that He did and suffered for me, which is now reenacted in this Mass. I offer it to Thee for Thy greater glory and for my own salvation. Amen”We are instructed to offer to God His well-beloved Son often during the Mass.Can I say it anymore? Get this book and read it. Study this and mark it up! Reread!Blessings!

Excellent book about the Catholic Mass. was raised a Catholic and after 48 years of practicing the faith I still learned things I didn’t know!

Love this insight, makes going mass more enjoyable and more fulfilling. Highly recommended

In my opinion, this book should be ranked 2nd in importance after the Bible. This book is for all Christians that celebrate the Holy Eucharist and believe in the Real Presence, not only Roman Catholic (but also Eastern Orthodox, Eastern Catholic, and Oriental Orthodox believers). This book had a big impact on my life and how to view the mass in a proper way.The book goes into details about the mass, priest vestments, church, how to offer the mass in the right way, when to pray during mass, the fruits and graces obtained from the mass and the infinite value the mass holds.The mass is indeed incredible and so is this book.A must have for all Catholic and Orthodox believers!

This is one of the most excellent books on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, written by Fr Martin von Cochem, O.S.F. (1625-1712), who was a German Franciscan priest & a learned theologian. This book is aimed at the average reader and will leave him in absolute awe! In it we see our rich Catholic heritage and shows us that the INCREDIBLE MASS is truly the greatest prayer of all times! Also, that when the faithful offer the Mass with the greatest efficacy, it in turn will bring down upon the earth untold graces and undoubtedly thereby a transformation of our world to the teachings of Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church. We need to reread this book every few years.

Written by the same guy who (famously) wrote "The Four Last Things: Death, Judgement, Heaven and Hell" it is written in the same pull-no-punches style, providing information about the Holy Mass that is (unforturnately) hard to come by nowadays. Definitely worth a read for Catholics and I am mulling over creating an Adult Ed course from it for my parish.

I absolutely love this book!!! It gives the most beautiful description of the HolySacrifice of the Mass I have ever seen. There are so many things I want to remember as I am at Mass.I only wish I had a photographic memory. In the 'Forward' it says that you will want to read it again,and you find that's true. It's also the best book for Eucharistic Adoration. I gave copies to all my friends.I just can't say enough positive comments about it. Do not deny yourself this treasure.

As a convert of 16 years, I found this book to be an excellent source of understanding the mysteries of the Mass. The author was so knowledgeable and was so delighted in sharing his understanding of the Mass with the reader. He made the over 400 pages sail by with his dedication and his joyous fascination of the subject. All of the symbology and meaning are now available to the reader in the sacrifice of the Mass -- clearly, Mass has new meaning and depth to me as I will participate going forward. Thank you so much Fr. Cochem!