Mass Confusion: The Do's and Don'ts of Catholic Worship

Although liturgical practice tends to be the most tedious and boring subjects of the Catholic faith, Akin uses his unique writing talent to engage this monumental task. This work is thorough and complete, while at the same time easy to understand for the average layman.The only thing I regret after reading this book is that when I go to Mass, it's difficult to not enjoy it completely. It's quite easy to read a liturgical book and become a "liturgy policeman", since abuses nowadays are so common. I go to a parish in Berkeley, so this parish definitely has its share of liturgical abuses in the name of "ecumenism". But this is something I can't blame the book for, since I'm sure all excellent liturgical treatments will result in this type of mentality.Regardless, this book is still recommended. It allows you to appreciate the Mass for what it is and show you the reasoning behind certain aspects of Catholic worship.

At mass, you notice that the priest routinely omits the Confetior. You wonder, "Is this permitted?" If you had read James Akin's book, you would know that the answer is yes. However, when this same priest substitutes the Apostles Creed for the Nicene Creed at an adult mass, you'll also know that he's stepped over the line.Always respectful to the priestly office, James Akin has written a terrific resource for Catholics who worry that their priest might be taking liturgical innovation too far. He also gives detailed instructions on how to approach a priest who has transgressed liturgical law, and what to do if you can't get a response. In these days of clown and balloon masses, paganesque liturgical dancing, and 'guest speakers' at the homily, this book will offer valuable guidance for the confused layman.

This book, along with Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger's "Spirit of the Liturgy" should be manditory reading for all Roman Catholic priests.After 20 years absence from holy mother Church, I was amazed to see all of the "changes" in the mass; changes like omitting the Profession of Faith on Sundays, omitting the Lavabo, standing (as opposed to kneeling) during the Eucharistic Prayer, not wearing a chasuble or wearing the stole over the chasuble, holding hands during the Our Father, and so on. Was I ever surprised to learn that these were NOT accepted changes, but liturgical abuses by renegade priests!This book addresses all of these abuses and much, much more. Mister Akin does a superb job of giving references for his statements on each individual abuse, whether he is quoting the GIRM (General Instructions of the Roman Missal), the Lectionary, or any other authoritative Church document pertaining to the Mass. He even gives a list of these at the beginning of the book, and most of them are easily available on the web. That makes this book an excellent study guide on the do's and don'ts of Catholic worship.Some might consider this material as nothing but strict conformism, but not so. All of the symbolism in the Liturgy has meaning. The Catholic Mass does what it symbolizes, and it symbolizes what it does, so the symbolism must be performed properly.Read this book and see how good a job your priest is doing. "The faithful have a right to a true Liturgy ..." says the Inaestimabile Donum, and it is time we started holding our priests to this!

James Akin did an excellent job of summarizing and answering some of the common questions concerning the Catholic Mass. If you have specific questions about how Mass should be celebrated, or if you just want more knowledge and a deeper appreciation for the parts of Mass this is an excellent book. James Akin used many credible sources and was not pushing his own agenda. The book was neither touchy-feely, nor was it leaning towards radicle conservatism, and was written with much charity. As a lay person I found this book easy to understand while having my questions answered. I highly recomend it.

James Akin has brought order out of the confusion that marks so much of Catholic worship these days. Akin is not a liturgist, but he is very effective teacher, which means that he can explain the Do's and Dont's of the Mass in ways most convenient for lay readers. This is an easy book to read, completely faithful to the various reforms the way they were meant to be applied. It is, in brief, the No. 1 book I can (and do) recommend to thoughtful Catholics with questions on liturgical life. I did a fuller review of Akin's work for the National Catholic Register, 23-29 August 1998, p. 8. I know the publishing house as well, "Catholic Answers, Inc." here in San Diego, and I know that it has recently replenished its own supplies of Akin's text, so it should be available