The Mass Explained to Children

By Maria Montessori and Matthew A. Delaney

The Mass Explained to Children presents the beauty, depth, and simplicity of the traditional Latin Mass, helping to make it easily understandable for any and every child. With acute sensitivity to the purity and clarity of a child's mind and soul, Maria Montessori wisely instructs in how to prepare for Mass, explains how the altar is set up, and clarifies the meaning and use of the sacred vessels and other elements used during Mass. She describes also the role of the priest, the use and symbolism of vestments, and much more. Then she proceeds—in refreshingly straightforward language, and with abundant illustrations—to follow the order of the Mass as it slowly unfolds in word and gesture. This is a sure guide to the beauties of the traditional Mass for children of all ages, and at the same time a wonderful primer for adults who want to deepen their understanding of the Mass of the Ages.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Angelico Press
• Release date: Mar 27, 2015
• ISBN: 9781621381204

Maria Montessori

Italian doctor and educator MARIA MONTESSORI (1870-1952) was the first woman to graduate from the University of Rome Medical School. She traveled extensively in Europe, America, and the Near East, studying early education and testing her educational methods.

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The Meaning of the Mass

OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST said the first Mass at the Last Supper. Ever since then, His disciples have gone on looking for a large furnished room where they may prepare the table for Him.

You can see this for yourself when you go to Mass. The large furnished dining-room is the church, and the altar there is the table, prepared with its white cloths. A precious chalice stands on it for holding the wine and water, and also a plate containing a round piece of bread. You will see a man, too, standing by the prepared table; he is the priest who represents Christ. He repeats the very words which Christ said to the Apostles around Him: Take ye and eat, for this is My Body; and in the same way, taking the chalice, he repeats: This is the Chalice of My Blood . . . which shall be shed for the remission of sins.

And the faithful who are pure in heart lovingly and devoutly approach the table to receive the Sacred Host, just as the Apostles received it at the Last Supper from the hands of Christ: because He said: I am the living bread, which came down from heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live for ever: and the bread that I will give is My flesh for the life of the world.

THE MYSTERY

HOLY MASS, however, is not merely a commemoration. It may look no more than that to people who have not penetrated its mysteries. They may think it a rite carried out in memory of the dead Christ since, as a living Man, He has gone from this earth. Here then, they think, is His memorial service: there is the image of Jesus Crucified, an unchanging symbol in the center of the table, with lighted candles burning around it. The whole thing is exactly like a pious remembrance of His