Hosannah in the Highest

Maria V. Gallagher reviews a Sunday Mass journal compiled and designed by Catholic Mom contributing writer Kathryn Pasker Ineck.

Hosannah in the Highest: 2025 Sunday Mass Journal

By Kathryn Pasker Ineck

It’s hard to admit, but it’s the truth: for a long time, I didn’t know why I attended Sunday Mass.

Yes, I knew that God had issued a commandment to “keep holy the Sabbath day.” And I also realized — thanks to my Catholic education — that missing Sunday or Saturday-night Mass was considered a mortal sin which would separate me from God.

Still, I wondered: In addition to fulfilling my obligation for obedience to my Heavenly Father, what was the purpose of my weekly Mass attendance? What were the benefits of worshipping God?

I wish that, back then, I had had a copy of Hosannah in the Highest. This Mass Journal, brilliantly put together by Kathryn Pasker Ineck, is a terrific aid to prayer, especially if you struggle with the relevance of the Holy Mass.

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As Kathryn so eloquently writes in her Introduction:

The aim for this journal is to provide a place for you to put on paper the things of your heart. Many weeks have a guided question, and each week offers a page to jot down your response to the readings, homily, and even the musical selections.

Journaling is a tried-and-true method to explore our thoughts more fully. When our ponderings make it onto the page, it is easier to analyze them and assess whether we are following the path of Christ.

But it can be daunting to write a few paragraphs of reflection. We may wonder where to start. The meditations Kathryn provides offer us a great launching point, enabling us to home in on various concepts worthy of further pondering.

Kathryn also encourages us to think deeply about the hymns that are incorporated into the Mass. As she states:

Keep in mind that the hymns we sing at Mass are meant to help us understand the readings and the Eucharist on a deeper level. They are sung prayers and are just as important as the other parts of the Mass. Jot down verses or phrases that speak to you each week. You might see a pattern of what kinds or prayer speaks best to you!

The blessings of reading and journaling

The Mass Journal is specific to 2025, so it includes citations for the weekly Mass readings for this pivotal Year of Hope. The more we ponder Scripture, the closer we can draw to the Lord. The combination of readings and journaling can be a powerful prescription for what ails us, spiritually-speaking.

I have heard many priests recommend reading the weekly Gospel ahead of time in order to be prepared for the Word of God. The better we prepare, the more we are likely to get out of the Mass. It has been said that you get out of it what you put into it, and I have found that, in my experience, that has certainly been the case.

Keep in mind that you do not have to be an award-winning writer to journal. All you need is a pen or pencil — and a heart open to God.

I have found that the more that I journal, the calmer I feel. It is as if a healing balm comes over my soul when I commit myself to writing. I am at peace, knowing that I have communicated my fears and failings to the Lord and have received His powerful healing in response.

I highly recommend adding Hosannah in the Highest to your list of prayer companions. Once you start journaling, you will have an abundance of answers to that age-old question: Why do we go to Mass?

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Hosannah in the Highest is available in a variety of cover designs online from Amazon.com.

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Hosannah in the Highest