Maybe you are a recent convert, or perhaps you’ve attended Mass your whole life, but there are still things that puzzle you — like when you should genuflect and when you should bow. What the different books used at Mass are and what they contain. The meaning of words like "Amen," "Alleluia," or "Hosanna." What to do during the Sign of Peace.

You aren’t alone.

The How-To Book of the Mass not only provides the who, what, where, when, and why of the most time-honored traditions of the Catholic Church, but also the how. All in an easy-to-read, easy-to understand format.

In this complete guide to the celebration of the Eucharist you get:

• Step-by-step guidelines to walk you through the Mass

• Explanation of the various parts of the Mass

• Biblical background of the prayers of the Mass

• Insights from the Tradition and teaching of the Church

• Practical aid to overcoming distractions

• Concrete ways to grow in your relationship with our Lord at every Mass

If you want to get something out of every Mass you attend — and share this grace with others — you need The How-To Book of the Mass.

Learn the right way to:

• Bless yourself with holy water

• Make the Sign of the Cross

• Genuflect

• Pray before Mass

• Sing the opening hymn

• Confess your sins

• Listen to the Scriptures

• Get meaning out of every homily

• Intercede for others

• Be a good steward

• Give thanks to God

• Offer the Sign of Peace

• Receive the Eucharist

• Accept a blessing

• Spread the Good News

"Every day Our Lord humbles himself just as he did when he came from his heavenly throne into the Virgin's womb; every day he comes to us and lets us see him in abjection, when he descends from the bosom of the Father into the hands of the priest at the altar… We, too, with our own eyes, see only bread and wine, but we must see further and firmly believe that this is his most holy Body and Blood, living and true. In this way our Lord remains continually with his followers, as he promised." — Saint Francis Assisi