The Mass and Its Folklore

Interesting and an easy read

Although not an exhaustive treaty on the Mass, "The Mass and Its Folklore" is a wonderful little treasure that explains the meaning and history behind some of the more important features of the Mass. Starting with the meaning behind the word Mass, to priestly vestments and Church furniture, to hymns (Kyrie, Gloria), processions and the chanting of Litanies, the Epistle and the Gospel. Lastly the author also addresses how to pray during the Mass (i.e., when to stand or knell, hands uplifted or joined together, etc.), which I always did by imitation but never questioned or knew the history of. Thus, I highly recommend the "The Mass and Its Folklore" to anyone who wants to better understand and appreciate the Mass.

A great little book on the Mass

A delightful, informative little companion to all the weightier tomes on the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

This book includes so many great points and stories about the Mass that I will carry with me for the rest of my life. We definitely have a lot to learn from our ancestors in regards to faith, and this is a great place to begin.

The Mass is endlessly rich in both ritual significance and the actual efficacy of grace, but it's also rich in history, history which has furnished it with many cultural and devotional adornments over the age of the Church. This book provides obscure and fascinating details on how this greatest of all liturgies has been loved by the Catholic people of every time and place, though the author has a focus on Wales in this particular book. My only complaint is that it ends too soon.

I enjoyed reading this book. It gives a little window to a people and culture shaped and centered on the Mass. Reading it inspires greater devotion to the Eucharist, but also longing for what is lost in the Novus Ordo and our modern society. May we one day be a nation, so devoted to the Mass, whose culture and traditions are shaped by it.

This little book was a joy to read. I have attended a few TLM's and many questions that I had - why do they change the missal to the left side of the altar come the gospel? - were answered; and a question has arisen: how much folklore from new world cultures, if any, is admissible in the liturgy? perhaps a question for Off the Menu.

This is a fun little book to discover the history and nuances of the tradition of the Holy Mass.

The book contains so many fascinating and rich stories, hymns, folklore regarding the Mass in Wales and England. Some of the most interesting stories revolve around how the priests would often hold masses in manors owned by Catholics who would harbor the priests for safety. At a time in the history of England and Wales when to be Catholic was to be treasonous, you would disguise going to your, once in a blue-moon, mass as "going to prayers", no one knew when an agent of the state could be in your town snooping around for Catholics. We indeed have come a long way from those trying times and there is still some fallout from it unfortunately. In conclusion, much is to be learned of the history of Catholicism in England and Wales, and this small handy book only gives us only a glimpse of what occurred.

A great glimpse into the history of the mass. Was especially poignant learning of the martyrs who kept the faith through the reformation in England. I highly recommend this book. And Tumblar house is a great company to work with.

An excellent little book that will make you hunger for the Mass and Our Lord's presence in the Holy Eucharist. This book spoke as much to my heart as it did my head, and made me see the Mass with deeper love, devotion, and gratitude!

This is a wonderful little book that I honestly didn't expect much from, BUT, it is one of the most informative and instructive books (at least for me) that I have. It, also, sadly shows what we are missing in not having a Catholic culture.

If you are wondering how to make the Mass more than something you do for an hour on Sundays, then read this book. You will see the Mass with new eyes and hear it with new ears. Specifically you will see it with the eyes of your ancestors along with the customs that surrounded the Mass and the liturgical year. Whenever I go to Mass I now picture myself as one of the knights of old coming across a hidden chapel in the woods and hearing a Mass to start my day. This book shows that in ages past, people deeply loved the Mass and it serves as inspiration for us to revive that love and many of the traditions that came about because of it.

What a great little read that gives a tremendous amount of insight on areas of the Mass that are not discussed regularly. A short read well worth your time

The folklore of the mass is really amazing. It’s not a long book but you definitely won’t be able to read it quickly. There’s so many interesting elements and better understanding the various beliefs of our ancestors that were suppressed during the reformation and years after. For anyone who is trying to understand how to better inculcate a Catholic Culture, read this book.

Excellent book, very interesting. Small book and fun to re-read

This is a tremendous little book full of delightful anecdotes and surprising facts concerning the Mass of our ancestors, how they lived with it, how they fought for it, how they loved it. The book goes well beyond rubrics and into the pious and the popular traditions surrounding the traditional liturgy. You will certainly enjoy the read and perhaps find a few devotional takeaways to bring with you next Sunday.

into the history, culture, and traditions emanating for the love of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

"The Mass and Its Folklore" by John Hobson Matthews is a wonderful introduction to the piety and devotion of our forefathers to what Vatican II famously called the "source and summit" of our Faith. The author explains popular Catholic customs related to the Liturgy, recounts the sacrifices made by the faithful to attend *the Sacrifice* in Penal Times, and gives a brief walk-through of the structure of celebration in the Extraordinary Form. I particularly enjoyed his commentary on the chanting of the Gospel in a High Mass and the charming Medieval item called the "paxbrede." Written -if I recall correctly- in 1906, Matthews' little book is sure to enrich your experience at that Mystery "ever ancient yet ever new" in whatever Form you attend. I would recommend this book for both seasoned Mass-goers and people interested in exploring Catholicism. God love you!

For being a short book, less than 100 pages after one takes out the foreword and other pages not directly focusing on the topic, there is a whole lot of fascinating information inside. For each part of the Mass customs and practices are discussed, which show that the faithful in generations not only prayed the Mass, but made it part of their lives. The only disappointing thing about the book is that it is so short, and it is clear that it only scratches the surface of the folk traditions around the Mass.

The Mass and Its Folklore is a great insight into the culture, folklore, and history surrounding the Mass in England. It also covers the whole Mass in detail, such as what people thought of certain parts, previous practices, and why certain actions are done. A quick and easy read that will further devotion to Catholic tradition and the ancient Mass.

Things that I knew but haven't experienced for too long a while; things I didn't know but know now; things I suspected that were confirmed. A wonderful reminder of the the reverence once prevalent in the One True Faith. Oh Captain, my Captain.

Not in any way comprehensive, perhaps somewhat eccentric, but quite enjoyable. Looks like one more remarkable Coulombe discovery!

This book really gives the reader an insight on how valued the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was to the faithful of old in the penal times. The first half talks about the virtue of the Mass and how it was celebrated in the penal times. The 2nd half talks about specific parts of the Mass. There is a lot of detail and stories in here that will sure to inspire a new sense of awe and excitement when you go to Mass after reading. So much information that people have never heard of. Definitely recommend it as a gift for yourself and others.

Those interested in the history of the church especially of the Brit. Isles will enjoy it . Those interested in the development of the liturgy will find insights aplenty. Even serious non-religious folklorists will be fascinated . It was a delight.

Lovely little book on some of the history of the Mass and its folklore - an insight into why certain traditions and items were used in the Mass, and a true depiction of how considerably the Mass is imprinted into old stories and ways of life. It is interesting to note how some of these customs still remain in the modern Latin Mass, if done well, and how strikingly these traditions are etched into remembrance and love of God and of the Faith and how they may be shown in the Mass. The book was not as extensive as I would have liked and thought (talking more comprehensively about the objects and rituals used during the Mass) but, rather, it was a compelling story of the Mass and the reverence and beauty surrounding it.

This book is extraordinary for its old references and little details. Unless you're a top expert who has devoted his whole life to the subject, you will probably learn something (if not multiple somethings) from this book. Stop reading reviews. Just get it now!