"Effulgence," a blog for Catholics, recently published a review of The Mass: A Guided Tour by Thomas Richstatter, O.F.M., S.T.D.:

"Speaking of impact, this book did what I imagine all authors want their works to do- it made me think, and it actually made me change something about my life.  Before reading this book, I always hesitated to take the Precious Blood in addition to the Host during communion.  In fact, I could count on one hand the number of times I did- two. Once at my confirmation, and another at my wedding. I kept rationalizing, “I don’t want to share germs with people, it’s gross, and I don’t need it anyway because the church says I can get all the same benefits in one species.”  While the latter part is true, the author makes a simple point that really changed my outlook.  Since we should look at the Eucharist as not only a sacrifice but a meal, would you go to someone’s house for dinner and only eat, not drink?

"This simple question changed my outlook and now I regularly receive both species if they are offered, with no qualms on my part."

Read the complete review here.