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The Divine Symphony: An Exordium to the Theology of the Catholic Mass

$9.95$16.95

  • E-BOOK VERSION: Amazon Kindle
  • AUDIO VERSION: Amazon Audible Regular Price is $19.95, Reduced Price is $7.47 for those who have already purchased the Kindle Edition, Free with 30-day Trial of Audible.

Summary:
For the past century and longer, nearly every book written by Catholics about the Catholic Mass has taken the approach of explaining the liturgy by dissecting it into separate parts and pieces. Contrary to this staunchly popular teaching style, the Catholic Mass is not a disjointed litany of things the laity says, things the Priest says, times they stand, times they kneel, things they do, and things they don’t do. Instead, in all of its liturgical expressions, from East to West, the Catholic Mass is a singular and Divinely inspired composition, a familial song of prayers and confessions. It truly is a Divine Symphony called the’ Ite, Missa est.’

This makes David L. Gray’s work groundbreaking in that, finally, a book presents a harmonious symphony of the Catholic Mass.

The Divine Symphony: An Exordium to the Catholic Mass consists of four very accessible and easy-to-read movements that narrate, explore, and explains the meaning, mystery, theology, history, symbolism, and continuity of the Catholic Mass.

About the Author:
David L. Gray is an American Catholic Theologian and Historian. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Central State University (Ohio) and a Master of Arts in Catholic Theology from Ohio Dominican University. His published work, ‘Inside Prince Hall (Freemasonry)’ predates his conversion to Catholicism. Learn more about him by visiting his website at davidlgray.info.

Five-Star Editorial Reviews:

Author Devin Rose: “I learned countless things from reading the book, and I think that everyone would as well. Even having been Catholic now for 17 years, and doing apologetics, this book reminded me of how much I have to learn even in the fundamentals of the Catholic Faith.” – St. Joseph’s Vanguard Catholic Apologetics for the Average Joe

Author Kaye Park Hinckley: “In one sentence, The Divine Symphony is one of the most valuable books about the Catholic faith that I have read.” – Translating a Word on the Edge

Author Shaun McAfee: “In The Divine Symphony, David’s skill is on full display as he pulls quotes and lessons from the Bible, the Early Church Fathers, theologians of the modern and older eras, popes, and cardinals . . . David’s book is worthy of your time. You can peruse it, or you can deep dive each page. It’s a simple but thorough book sure to please any sort of reader.” – EpicPew.COM

Available in Hardback, Paperback, Amazon Kindle and Audio.

Description

The Divine Symphony begins with this one presupposition; that all that God has revealed about Himself, and all that He yearns for His People to be, is offered through the Catholic Mass. The exposition of that presupposition resulted in this unique book on the Theology of the Catholic Mass. The Divine Symphony presents a beautiful and seamless presentation of the liturgical continuity of the history, meaning, and mystery of the central and highest expression of worship and prayer in the Catholic Church.

For the past century and longer, nearly every book written by Catholics about the Catholic Mass has taken to the approach of explaining the liturgy by dissecting it into separate parts and pieces. Contrary to this staunchly popular teaching style, the Catholic Mass is not a disjointed litany of things laity says, things the Priest says, times they stand, times they kneel, things they do, and things they don’t do. Rather, in all of its liturgical expressions, from East to West, the Catholic Mass is a singular and Divinely inspired composition, a familial song of prayers and confessions. It truly is a Divine Symphony called the ‘Ite, Missa est.’This makes David L. Gray’s work groundbreaking in that, finally, a book presents a harmonious symphony of the Catholic Mass.

Although Mr. Gray uses the Novus Ordo rite as the outline to narrate and guide the reader through the liturgical movements, he also draws into text much older Latin and Eastern rites for the objectives of deeper study and explanation of the purpose, meaning, mystery, and orientation of the sacred liturgy. Such incorporation of so many various rites demonstrates, most beautifully, the universality and continuity of Christ Jesus’ memorial sacrifice.

A second unique feature of this work is Mr. Gray’s use of the classical symphony orchestra as a way to explain the structure and flow of the Catholic Mass. Even if the reader is not trained in the classical works, Gray gives them enough history and examples to give the reader a good reason to appreciate and understand their many similarities in form and purpose. A third unique aspect of the book is that rather than attempting to explain the Mass through Scriptural proof texts, the author has rightly moved to explain the Scriptures through the Mass. For, as the Scriptures tell the story of salvation history, the Mass brings the promise of the story to its fulfillment.

Through beautiful prose and a concrete presentation of the Divine Symphony’s history, meaning, mystery, and liturgical continuity, David L. Gray, in this exordium, gives reason to all to know, love and pray the Mass.

This well-written and accessible book is for Catholics and anyone looking to develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for what the Priests, Deacons, and the People are doing when they pray and confess the Ite, Missa Est. To know the Mass is to love it, and to love it is to pray it.

Available in Hardback, Paperback, Amazon Kindle and Audio.


  • 5.5″ x 8.5″ (13.97 x 21.59 cm)
  • Black & White on White paper
  • 189 pages
  • Saint Dominic’s Media Inc.
  • ISBN-13: 978-1-7321784-0-3 (Paperback)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1-7321784-1-0 (Hardback)
  • ISBN-13: 978-1-7321784-2-7 (E-book)
  • BISAC: Religion / Christian Rituals & Practice / Worship & Liturgy

Additional information

Weight 6 oz
Dimensions 5.5 × 8.5 in
Binding

Paperback, Hardcover

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The Divine Symphony: An Exordium to the Theology of the Catholic Mass
$9.95$16.95