For Mass

We have brought books to Mass since our children were babies. They have helped keep our young children occupied and (mostly) quiet for years. It's (sometimes) easy to listen to a homily why you turn the pages of a book for the toddler on your lap.

We have made these primarily faith based books, which turn up on the Feast of St. Nick, in stockings and in Easter baskets. Also, our children go trick-or-treating on Halloween. If they choose to (and they always have), they can then pick their top 10 pieces of candy to keep, and trade the rest of it in to me for a new book. I then donate the candy to our youth ministry. I can often suggest a book to them that they will the choose.

While our children are preparing for First Communion, we encourage them to participate in the Mass more. But we still let them bring faith based books, Bibles and to draw or write. We have received countless drawings of the Sacred Heart of Jesus and of Jesus on the cross! Our goal is for them to be respectful, to participate in an age appropriate way and for them to like going to Mass. So far, this has been successful. Our goal is also for Jason and I to be able to participate in the Mass as fully as we can. If our kids are quiet, respectful and prayerful during Mass so that we can do that, that's a win.

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Here are some of our favorites to bring to Mass . . .

Catholic Icing's Picture Book of the Mass
Once your child can read, they can follow along in this beautiful picture book. It has beautiful classical artwork throughout to help children visualize what's going on in the Mass. Even before they can read, they can get more out of Mass if you flip the pages along with the Mass for them to see the pictures. These make great gifts for godchildren's baptism anniversaries!

Can You Find Saints?: Introducing Your Child to Holy Men and Women

Can You Find Jesus? Introducing Your Child to the Gospel (Search & Learn Book)
These Can You Find books are wonderful for Mass! The spines on our copies are breaking from so much use! Your child can be immersed in Bible stories or in stories of the saints during Mass, and spend so much time searching the illustrations, just like Where's Waldo!

If Jesus Came to My House
This is one of my favorite books ever. If you are able to get the hardcover copy with the color illustrations, I would. But either way, the message is the same. So beautiful.

The Weight of a Mass: A Tale of Faith
This is a beautifully illustrated story about the importance of Mass.

More to come!