The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass

St Leonard of Port Maurice is one of the most hardcore saints I know of. He is best known for his short essay "The Little Number of Those Who Are Saved," which uses the Church Fathers and tradition to show how difficult it is to persevere and die a happy death. In many places actual numbers are given, and it is staggeringly terrifying. If you want someone who will forgo your feelings, give it to you straight, and call you to a much higher level than the low bar you set for yourself, this is your man. All this is said in order to let you know about the kind of man who is explaining the importance of the mass in this little book.While there are many things that could be said about the value of this text, probably the most important one is this. St Leonard actually gives practical, doable advice about how to get the most out of the mass and how to "actively participate" in the mass (remember, this was written well before Vatican II, before people thought that participation in the mass meant bringing up the gifts). He gives three ways to participate during the mass. The first is to follow along word for word in the missal. Your nose is constantly in the missal, you are looking for signs that the priest is doing to ensure you are at the right place, you are reading the prayers yourself as the priest is saying them under his breath, etc. A second way is to completely forgo your missal and pay attention to what the priest is saying and doing. Follow his movements, listen to his words, pray them in your heart. Both of these are acceptable ways to follow. But St Leonard offers a third way, one which he shows is superior to the first two. This third way is to offer your own prayers during the mass according to the 4 debts one owes to God- adoration, penance, thanksgiving, petition. From the beginning of mass until the gospel, your prayers should be that of adoring God. From the end of the gospel until the elevation, your prayers should be that of penance. From the elevation until the reception of Holy Communion, your prayers should be that of thanksgiving. Finally, from the reception of Holy Communion until the end of mass, that of petition. Furthermore, St Leonard gives prayers that can be said during each part of the mass. He has a "prayer while the priest says the Kyrie", a "prayer while the priest reads the gospel" etc. (again, this was written with the old mass in mind). You can follow along with the mass, offering your prayers,"actively participating" the entire time. ANd what St Leonard teaches us is that this is the intention of the mass! The priest offers the Holy sacrifice, the representation of Christ on Calvary, and we join our own personal prayers with the priest. That is EXACTLY how it should be. We often hear criticism of "little old lades who would prayer the rosary during the old mass because they were bored and didn't know what else to do." On the contrary, they were doing exactly what they should be doing! THAT was true active participation.This point of view is so invaluable, and it helps us to obtain the fullness of the graces that we possibly can at mass. St Leonard discusses how the graces that one can receive at mass are so beyond anything that we can comprehend. Yet so often we receive only a fraction of the graces because we either don't ask, are not engaged, going to mass out of habit, etc. He recounts stories of saints who made major sacrifices, and sometimes risked their lives just to attend mass. These were people who understood much better than we do the value of the mass and the extraordinary graces that can be obtained at every single mass. He who has ears to hear...I first learned of this book while reading St John Boscos' Life of St Dominic Savio. In it, I learned that St Dominic Savio highly recommended this book. And of course, there is a very good reason for it. If you are struggling with the mass or simply want to go deeper, to "get more out" of mass and obtain more of the graces that God offers you at every single mass every day, this book is for you. I highly recommend it.

Review of "The Hidden Treasure: Holy Mass"As noted by the eminent Cardinal Alfredo Ottaviani (in his magisterial brief to Pope Paul VI “A Brief Critical Study of the Novus Ordo Missae by a group of Roman Theologians”) the dogmas relating to the Holy Sacrifice of Mass as taught by the Council of Trent, are of such a nature that to these dogmas “the Catholic conscience is bound forever.” What are these dogmas that the Catholic conscience is forever bound?1. The Holy Mass is a true and proper Sacrifice.2. In the Sacrifice of the Mass, Christ’s Sacrifice on the Cross is made present, its memory is celebrated, and its saving power is applied.3. In the Sacrifice of the Mass and in the Sacrifice of the Cross the Sacrificial Gift and the Primary Sacrificing Priest are identical; only the nature and mode of the offering are different.4. The Sacrifice of the Mass is not merely a sacrifice of praise and thanksgiving, but also a sacrifice of expiation and impetration.These beautiful Catholic dogmatic statements are clearly and forcefully brought to life for the modern-day Catholic by this wonderful book by St Leonard of Port Maurice. St Leonard is considered the greatest missionary priest of the 18th century and when you read this book you will understand why. This book provides a forceful presentation of the profound nature of the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass and will be of benefit to all who read it. It is well written and translated and was originally written for the common Catholic reader with no formal theological training.In my opinion the best part of this book is where St Leonard discusses the four ends (or purposes) of the Mass namely:1. Adoration2. Thanksgiving3. Atonement4. PetitionIf you have ever wondered why Mass is offered in the Traditional Rite when no congregation is present this book will explain the reasoning behind this holy practice.I have read and reread this book many times. This marvelous book has enlarged my understanding of and deepened my interior participation in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. I wish I could buy a copy of this book and give one to every Catholic in the world. May the good God bless all who read this review.

This is the best book I’ve ever read on the Catholic Mass!

Great story but printing is very small

great

Great book, every catholic should read this!

certainly stresses how good GOD is to us if we attend mass devoutly.

The content is excellent! That's because a Saint wrote it.Text is a bit small for my liking. Looks like a re-printed book.

I never understood the meaning of mass or how diligent one has to be during the Holy Mass. We should really thank Jesus for sharing his secrets which are not comprehensible to human mind through St. Leonard. Its for the tough reader but opens the spiritual eyes

Marvellous book...Its a treasure...It changed the way I attend Holy Mass now....and through its teaching I have great many achievements in my life.