Meditations Before Mass - Paperback

by Romano Guardini (Author)

The profound wisdom found in this Romano Guardini classic will help you to quiet your soul, concentrate your mind, and grow more receptive to God's grace in the Holy Mass.

Written for ordinary Catholics who are struggling to become closer to Christ, Meditations Before Mass is full of wisdom and yet offers practical, straightforward advice that will help you overcome distractions and restlessness while leading you into a more enriching experience when you enter into Holy Communion with God.

Over fifty years ago, Msgr. Romano Guardini resolved to help his parishioners move beyond the petty hindrances to full participation in the Mass--hindrances to which we are all prone. Just before Mass each Sunday, he gave a brief talk on some aspect of the Mass, teaching them week by week, topic by topic, how to prepare themselves to participate more prayerfully.

So helpful were these 32 talks that they were soon published and have since been reprinted countless times in numerous countries and languages, helping generations of Catholics to deepen their devotion during Mass.

In these pages, you'll discover:

• What to do when Mass becomes boring and "routine"
• How to achieve a genuine--not superficial--stillness
• The one indispensible element for a deep liturgical life
• How to gain control over your wandering attention
• One tendency we must overcome when listening to Scripture readings
• The real meaning of "keeping holy" the Sabbath--and its special importance for the family
• The importance of listening, and the inner barriers that prevent it
• Why it's good to arrive early at Mass whenever possible
• The true significance of standing and kneeling in church
• And dozens of other practical ways to enrich your worship

Front Jacket

Over fifty years ago, Msgr. Romano Guardini resolved to help his parishioners overcome the distractions and restlessness they suffered at Mass. Just before Mass each Sunday, he gave a brief talk on some aspect of the Mass, teaching them week by week, topic by topic, how to pre-pare themselves to participate more prayerfully. Afterward, he provided a few minutes of silence for reflection, and then began to offer Mass.

So helpful were these 32 talks that they were soon published and have since been reprinted countless times in numerous countries and languages, helping generations of Catholics to deepen their devotion during Mass. Practical, straightforward, and full of wisdom, these talks will help you to quiet your soul, concentrate your mind, and grow receptive to God's grace during Mass.

In these pages, you'll discover:

- The three principal hindrances to full participation in the Mass to which all of us are prone

- The real meaning of "keeping holy" the Sabbath. Its special importance for the family

- One tendency we must overcome when listening to Scripture readings

- How to gain control over your wandering attention

- The one indispensable element of a deep liturgical life

- What to do when the Mass becomes boring and "routine"

- How to achieve a genuine not superficial stillness

- The importance of listening. Inner barriers that prevent it

- Why it's good to arrive early at Mass whenever possible

- The true significance of kneeling and standing in church

- And dozens of other practical ways to enrich your worship

Although he was an eminent theologian, Msgr. Guardini wrote for ordinary Catholics who are struggling to become closer to Christ. Practical, straightforward, yet full of wisdom, Meditations Before Mass will help you to quiet your soul, concentrate your mind, and grow more receptive to grace.

Author Biography

Romano Guardini (1885-1968) was ordained a priest in 1910. He was a professor at the University of Berlin until the Nazis expelled him in 1939. His sermons, books, popular classes, and his involvement in the post-war German Catholic Youth Movement won him worldwide acclaim. His works combine a keen thirst for God with a profound depth of thought and a delightful perfection of expression.