Behold, Believe, Become: Meeting the Hidden Christ in Things We See, Say, and Do at Mass

by Dr. Timothy O'Malley

Embark on a transformative journey into the heart of Eucharistic worship with Behold, Believe, Become—where the ordinary becomes extraordinary and the Mass becomes a soul-saving, life-changing encounter with Christ, our Eucharistic Lord.

In Behold, Believe, Become, Timothy P. O’Malley, a distinguished leader in the Eucharistic Revival movement and bestselling author of Becoming Eucharistic People and Real Presence, shows you how to see differently—through newly formed habits of contemplation—fifteen ordinary, physical things that the Church uses at Mass to point us toward Christ. You will explore layers of meaning found in noble doors and stained-glass windows, sunlight and water, oil and fire, altars and church pews, and bread and wine become Body and Blood. O’Malley helps you see how each element tells us something about who Christ is and who we are to become as Christian people.

Inspired by the towering genius of the twentieth-century liturgical movement, Fr. Romano Guardini (1865–1968), O’Malley offers an unconventional walk through the Mass, highlighting that “matter matters.” This book doesn’t delve into the intricate history of Eucharistic Prayers or the doctrinal meaning of various words and actions. Instead, it provides a unique exploration of the material stuff of the Mass that we encounter from the time we enter the church until the time we depart at the end.

Whether you’re seeking personal growth or exploring this journey with a small group, Behold, Believe, Become is the perfect companion, providing brief online videos featuring Rachel and Jason Bulman of “Meet the Bulmans” and chapter-ending reflection questions to help connect your everyday life to the celebration of Mass. And for those craving a communal experience, a small-group leader’s guide and parish planning kit make this an invaluable resource for parishes, schools, and other Catholic communities.

Are you ready to witness the Mass in a new light? Behold, Believe, Become is your key to unlocking a richer, more meaningful Eucharistic experience.

O’Malley will help you reflect on four essential facets of a Eucharistic parish culture:

• liturgies of joyful reverence that celebrate the gifts of diversity;
• formation that engages the mind, imagination, understanding, and will;
• a rich life of popular piety and the vibrancy of the domestic Church; and
• a commitment to solidarity with your neighbor.

O’Malley says that when we reflect Christ’s Real Presence to others, our parishes will become sacred spaces in which every person is led to deeper communion with God and with their neighbors.

Online resources, including ideas for parish retreats, teaching resources, and videos based on this book and the US bishops Eucharistic Revival are available from the McGrath Institute for Church Life.

Books in the Engaging Catholicism series from the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame help readers discover the beauty and truth of the Catholic faith through a concise exploration of the Church’s most important but often difficult-to-grasp doctrines as well as crucial pastoral and spiritual practices. Perfect for seekers and new Catholics, clergy and catechetical leaders, and everyone in between, the series expands the McGrath Institute’s mission to connect the Catholic intellectual life at Notre Dame to the pastoral life of the Church and the spiritual needs of her people.