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Views from the Choir Loft

Teaching kids to Pray the Mass

Veronica Brandt · June 7, 2014

Pray the Mass by Rev McMahon A little booklet from 1959 in Sydney. DULTS HAVE BEEN WORKING on encouraging youngsters to pray the Mass for centuries I’m sure. You remember the amazing Cartoon book from 1954, Know Your Mass. As stated there, these books are also helpful for Catholics of all ages to deepen their understanding of the Mass.

This little 60 page booklet is over 50 year old but describes timeless truths about the Mass. It was printed in 1959 in Australia. It starts with “My dear Children -” and is written in that style which now seems so quaint. Though the cynics of today may scoff, these simple explanations are still so sorely needed!

There are three chapters:
1. At Mass with the Priest – 33 steps through the Mass
2. Preparing the Altar for Mass – with lots of illustrations
3. Watch the Priest Vesting – Why is each vestment so called? What is its origin? What does is stand for?
and an appendix with Suggestions for Teaching the Mass

Pray the Mass by Rev McMahon The epistle from Pray the Mass Sign of the Cross Advert for the sequel of Pray the Mass

Studying the Mass should happen at a time other than during Mass. This booklet recommends a full teaching period each week. It also emphasizes the use of memory in forming a scaffolding to understand the Mass. The 33 steps are given to be learnt in order, with the aid of flash cards and games and lots of repetition.

Is it worth scanning in? Would copyright be a problem? Maybe these ideas could be taken up in a new teaching aid with a more modern presentation, maybe like The Great Adventure Kids Bible Study.

* * *

From my family to yours, we have found young children find it hard to stay focussed continually. It was helpful to focus on three points when we insist they kneel up and face front:

  • at the Consecration
  • when we say “Lord, I am not worthy” / “Domine non sum dignus”
  • and for the final blessing
Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: January 1, 2020

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About Veronica Brandt

Veronica Brandt holds a Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering. She lives near Sydney, Australia, with her husband and six children.—(Read full biography).

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Quick Thoughts

19 May 2022 • “Trochee Trouble”

I’m still trying to decide how to visually present the “pure” Editio Vaticana scores, using what is (technically) the official rhythm of the Church. You can download my latest attempt, for this coming Sunday. Notice the “trochee trouble” as well as the old issue of neumes before the quilisma.

—Jeff Ostrowski
16 May 2022 • Harmonized Chant?

This year’s upcoming Sacred Music Symposium will demonstrate several ways to sing the CREDO at Mass. This is because—for many parishes—to sing a full-length polyphonic CREDO by Victoria or Palestrina is out of the question. Therefore, we show options that are halfway between plainsong and polyphony. You can hear my choir rehearsing a section that sounds like harmonized plainsong.

—Jeff Ostrowski
14 May 2022 • “Pure” Vatican Edition

As readers know, my choir has been singing from the “pure” Editio Vaticana. That is to say, the official rhythm which—technically—is the only rhythm allowed by the Church. I haven’t figured out how I want the scores to look, so in the meantime we’ve been using temporary scores that look like this. Stay tuned!

—Jeff Ostrowski

Random Quote

There is a lack of that kind of organization which favors mature judgment. Move on, move on, get it out. Schemata are multiplied without ever arriving at a considered form. The system of discussion is bad … Often the schemata arrive just before the discussions. Sometimes, and in important matters, such as the new anaphoras, the schema was distributed the evening before the discussion was to take place … Father Bugnini has only one interest: press ahead and finish.

— Cardinal Antonelli (Peritus during the Second Vatican Council)

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