A Picture Book of the Mass is richly illustrated with beautiful masterpieces throughout. I love how the selected artwork beautifully complements each area of the missal. In a sense, the pictures can help a child who is learning to follow along and participate in the Mass get a feel for what is going on.
I had my seven year old daughter use this missal at Mass for a few weeks to see how easily she was able to follow along with it. She has been using a Magnifikid for the past two years, so she wasn't new to using a missal at Mass. While she missed not having the Mass readings in front of her, she liked looking at the artwork and found the larger print easier to follow. She also found the pictogram people instructing her when to sit, stand and kneel to be quite the novelty. I like how the instructions to "strike breast" or "bow during these words" are next to the bracketed text. In other missals you might find these instructions at the start of the words, but someone who is new to the Mass or learning to participate might really appreciate knowing when to start and stop.
You should know that this missal is a straight up missal. It's not a prayer book and missal like many missals. What you will find in this book is a beautifully illustrated and thoughtfully laid out guide to the Mass.
A Picture Book of the Mass would be perfect for children, recent converts (I would have LOVED something like this when I converted.) and even those who are sill getting used to the new translation of the Mass. It would be a great gift for a child who is preparing for or has just received first Eucharist.
I was provided with a complimentary review copy of this book by Lacy of Catholic Icing in exchange for my honest review. You can learn more about A Picture Book of the Mass or order a copy for yourself by visiting Catholic Icing.
Oh thank you for this review! We are using the
ReplyDeleteCatholicicing homeschooling curriculum and I wondered about this book as well. Seems like I might be ordering one of those in the near future. :)