Need two questions answered

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echasel

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I have two question for all who read.

#1. Do you have any recommended reading on prayer? My prayer life is developing and am looking for other ways to pray. It seems as though my prayer can be somewhat self serving. Am using rosarys, and standard prayers as well as conversations with God. Need more.

#2 Is there a book on the ABCs of the mass? A mass for dummies type book. I am looking for a book that lays why why why from the time I walk into the building to the time I leave. I would like to be able to explain where all the symbolism comes from, the words… just everything. I have Protestant relatives that join us at mass and would love to be able to share it with them.

Thanks

Eric
 
Eric,

Believe it or not there is now a “Dummies” book out on the Catholic faith. I haven’t seen it for myself, though.
 
I’ve flipped through “Catholicism for Dummies” before, and it looks well-written and informative. It was written by a couple of priests who work at EWTN.

If you’re looking for something that your relatives can reference during Mass, you might want to see if there are missalettes available at your parish (the “Dummies” book is rather large). If not, check out magnificat.net. You can request a complimentary copy on the website. This is the missalette that I use and I have been quite happy with it.
 
Isn’t there a book out by Scott Hahn about the Mass? Is it called “The Lamb’s Supper?” There are a lot of scriptural why’s to the mass, and I’d bet a book by him on the topic would give a lot of those (although I haven’t read it, so if someone has…).

There are so many books about prayer out there. What are you specifically hoping to improve on or learn more about? Do you want writings to meditate on, or instruction on meditation? Or are you looking for deeper stuff - some of the heavier writings from the Saints? I’m sure some here will know just what to recommend if you’re a bit more specific (and I’ll be listening). I like to just get on a catholic bookstore’s website and browse through their titles.

For myself, what has helped me in meditation (which I struggle with) is to first pray the “Come Holy Spirit” prayer, and ask for help in my prayer from Christ and Mary. I read something either from the bible, missal, or a saint’s writings just before moving in to the conversation part. I need simple readings so I like, “Sermon In a Sentence,” the St. Therese volume. It has one liners from her that spark my meditatons based on the things that I seem to need to focus on the most. I only spend about 10 minutes at that time (it’s hard to even get 10 interrupted minutes), but try to dedicate the rest of my day to a prayerful attitude, so prayer just happens spontaneously. I also try to come up with a specific resolution from that prayer time to help me put what I’ve gained into action.

TKC
 
My favorite inexpensive prayer book is The Gold Book of Prayers It is a whole three dollars. Great set of prayers and a scriptural Rosary among other great gems.

My serious and not so cheap prayer book is “The Catholic Prayer Book” by the late, great Fr. John Hardon, S. J. It is kind of a catechism on prayer with a pethora of material. It starts with God the Father, Jesus, the Holy Spirit, the Mass, the sacrament of confession. Much stuff from St. Ignatius of Loyola (what good Jesuit would leave out his material) then the Mother of God, and stuff from the saints. He has many prayers in Latin with an English translation following it.

I don’t know how many years it will take me to grow tired of the prayer book. It has just been a wonderful gift that Holy Spirit led me to. I thought I was buying the one that cost ten dollars less. I am so happy I bought what I did.
 
An Appointment with God by Fr. Michael Scanlan TOR, from Renewed Life or Franciscan University Press, small little primer on prayer, great starting point.

Celebrating the Mass, pamphlet by Fr. McBride from Our Sunday Visitor covers the basic elements what all that stuff is, why it is there, what is going on, parts of the Mass.
 
I suggest two books on prayer. The way of the Pilgrim and the Devout life by St. Francis Desales. Both books are available from Pauline books and media. They are on the net.

Glory be to Jesus Christ! Glory Forever!
 
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