The more Catholics are educated about the liturgy and by the liturgy, the more the liturgy will be the place of encountering the living Christ.

Pope Francis

This book is written to help Catholic people pray the Mass, to encourage personal reflection and to deepen appreciation of and participation in Mass. It is written for those who preside at Mass, assist at the Mass as a deacon or lay minister or pray the Mass as part of the congregation.

It is not a scholarly study of the Mass or an examination of the rules and details for its celebration. Rather, it is about a journey and about reflecting on that journey so as to deepen our sense of being able to pray what we call the Mass.

Nor is it a book to be read from cover to cover. Fifty-two Sundays is meant to be read on fifty-two Sundays, reading and reflecting on one little piece of the journey at a time. Each week, we are invited to reflect together on one aspect of the celebration, explore some of its deeper meanings and, in this way, enrich our experience and understanding of the Mass.

Each week, we are guided into the fascinating story of the Mass which not only informs, but also turns the Mass into a prayer. Bishop Greg Homeming, OCD  Bishop of Lismore

… theologically rich, whilst remaining easy to understand, and will encourage the reader to engage in a full, conscious and active participation in the Mass. Deacon Peter Pellicaan PhD , Executive Director, Evangelisation Brisbane

Professor Gooley’s reflective journey through the Mass accurately and lovingly offers an approachable and easy to absorb explanation of not only what happens in the Mass, but why it happens. Dr Marco Ceccarelli  Director of the Centre for Faith Enrichment, Perth

Anthony Gooley is a deacon and theologian. He has qualifications in education, psychology and theology, in which he has a PhD. He has recently served as Dean (Courses) at BBI - The Australian Institute of Theological Education. A deacon of the Catholic Archdiocese of Brisbane, he is married with two adult children and one grandchild.