The Mass by Father Louis A. Gales

Today I sat down and had the opportunity to read through "The Mass" by Father Louis A. Gales, a booklet, which I believe to be at least 50 years old judging by the condition of the document as well as the photographs inside.

The booklet begins with an enumeration of the Eight Wonders of the Mass and then immediately enters the the component of the text which explains the Mass section by section. But rather than simply providing a translation of the Tridentine Mass, Fr. Gales explains the spiritual significance and offers a meditative approach in addition to providing a translation of the prayers. This booklet is not a missal but rather offers beautiful commentary on the rubrics of the Mass of the Ages

Here is a short excerpt from the text:

"Now the priest reads one or ore prayers in a low voice. He asks God to accept our gift of bread and wine. We may pause here to realize that hte Mass is not something being done for us; rather it is being done by us in union with Christ.

The Secret Prayer changes from day to day. Here is one we pray on the Feast of All Saints..."

The book is composed of Fr. Gales' writings along with a series of photographs by Father Robert E. Southard, from the set of Eighty Mass Photos published and copyrighted by the Catechetical Guild. The Catechetical Guild Educational Society, at the time of this document's publication, was located in my city: St. Paul, Minnesota.