4Real Forums: Teaching the Mass

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Domestic Church
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Topic: Teaching the Mass

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MichelleW
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Posted: April 26 2006 at 2:47am \| IP Logged

I am looking for good book(s)/resources on teaching the parts of the Mass, the symbolism and history. I would be using it with my children (8 and under) as well as my dh who has become quite interested.

We have been using the helps at CatholicCulture.org as well as a St. Joseph's "The Mass for Children." While these have been good, they are not quite deep enough.

Christine
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Posted: April 26 2006 at 8:15am \| IP Logged

The Mass Book for Children by Rosemarie Gortler is a good little book for explaining the Mass. Maria Montessori's Mass Explained to Children is good, too, but it explains the Tridentine Rite, so you may need to explain some differences.

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Erin
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Posted: April 26 2006 at 3:59pm \| IP Logged

I would second Christine's recommendation of Maria Montessori's book. I have been using it with my children, 12,10,8 and 6 and they are really eager for more. We don't attend the Latin Rite (none available) however it is still applicable.

I believe CHC may have something also for younger children?

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ALmom
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Posted: April 28 2006 at 12:10am \| IP Logged

CHC has a book used in 5th grade - but to be honest, the best thing we've done has been to ask for a missalette from the church before they are thrown out for the season and use this along with the mass kit. Our Fathers House sells the Mass kit and it has handouts for identifying vessels, etc.

However, what we have done has been to make miniature vestments for our boys (and nuns outfits for the girls) and the dc have "played" Mass and wanted to know what they were supposed to do next. With the missalette, I could step them through it and add brief words of explanation at the same time.

The encyclicals, CCC and other resources would give depth to your understanding of what it means so you could translate into simpler language for the others. Also the other resources would help here - because the Mass meaning and major parts have not really changed between old and knew - and understanding the Tridentine deepens your understanding of the Novos Ordo.

The other thing that might be possible is to ask a priest if he could walk through the parts of the Mass with your family (and have him over for dinner). Many priests will do this with children preparing for First Holy Communion or for converts to the faith. It's really great for our dc to know Father more than just seeing him after Mass. Perhaps it might even develop into a group thing. At our church, the associate pastor did this for the parish at large. Our whole family went - though ours were the only children in attendance, they still benefitted.

Janet

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