The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Catholic Mass

The Incredible Catholic Mass: An Explanation of the Catholic Mass

By Fr. Martin von Cochem · Published by TAN Books

Overview

Every single time the Holy Sacrifice of the Altar is celebrated, an event of infinite majesty takes place right before our eyes—yet so many Catholics sit in the pews entirely blind to its supernatural reality. We struggle with distractions, view the liturgy as a mere social gathering, or forget that the Mass is a literal, unbloody representation of Christ's sacrifice on Calvary. If we truly understood the staggering spiritual riches poured out at every Consecration, we would crawl on hands and knees just to attend one more Mass.

In The Incredible Catholic Mass, the venerable Fr. Martin von Cochem delivers an unmatched, profoundly illuminating explanation of the Eucharistic liturgy. Drawing seamlessly upon Sacred Scripture, strict dogmatic theology, and the ecstatic private revelations of the saints, Fr. Cochem strips away the veil hanging between heaven and earth. He systematically demonstrates why the Mass is the highest possible form of prayer, adoration, penance, and thanksgiving available to humanity. Written with the traditional Latin Mass as its structural paradigm, its deep mystical principles apply universally to the essence of the Holy Sacrifice, changing forever how you enter the doors of a Catholic church.

• The Infinite Value: Discover why a single Holy Mass possesses more spiritual merit and pleasing adoration to God than all the private prayers and severe penances of the saints combined.
• Angelic Intercession: Learn how choirs of invisible angels descend in trembling adoration around the priest during the Consecration to carry your personal intentions to the throne of God.
• The Power of Reparation: Understand how actively offering the Mass safely satisfies the temporal punishment due to your sins, offering a direct path of purgatorial cleansing while still on earth.
• Fruits for the Deceased: Explore the profound canonical and mystical reality of how the Holy Sacrifice brings immediate, cooling relief and swift release to the Poor Souls suffering in Purgatory.
• Active Interior Participation: Move beyond superficial, external behaviors and learn how to align your heart, mind, and soul with the Paschal Mystery being enacted upon the altar.

Intended Audience

This masterpiece is perfectly designed for any practicing Catholic (ages 15 and up) who wants to thoroughly shatter distractions and lukewarmness during worship. It is an incomparable text for individuals going through RCIA/OCIA, youth preparing for Confirmation, seminarians studying the liturgy, and any believer desiring to unlock an unshakeable, lifelong devotion to the Most Blessed Sacrament.

FAQs

Is this book only relevant if I attend the Traditional Latin Mass?
No. While Fr. Cochem writes during an era where the traditional Latin rubrics were universal, he focuses entirely on the *essence* of the Mass—the sacrifice, the consecration, and the supernatural reality of Christ’s body and blood. Its truths apply beautifully to and will enrich your participation in any valid Catholic rite.

Who was the author, Fr. Martin von Cochem?
Fr. Martin von Cochem (1634–1712) was a holy German Capuchin Franciscan priest, theologian, and highly successful missionary preacher. He was renowned for his ability to translate the highest concepts of ascetical and dogmatic theology into deeply engaging, accessible, and life-changing books for the everyday lay faithful.

Can I use this book as a guide for making better Holy Hours?
Yes, seamlessly. The chapters are short, inspiring, and completely saturated with the wisdom of the saints, making them perfect to read and meditate upon during Eucharistic Adoration or right before attending Holy Mass.