Liturgiam Authenticam, issued by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2001 has resulted in wide coverage in the Catholic press, largely lamenting its lack of historical accuracy and clarity in legislating the use of liturgical texts. Translating Tradition includes four essays by Peter Jeffery, Obl.S.B., that appeared in Worship in 2004. The articles comment on Liturgiam Authenticam, point out its inconsistencies, lack of being mindful of church tradition, and problematic directives. Essays are "A Chant Historian Reads Liturgiam Authenticam 1: The Latin Liturgical Traditions," "A Chant Historian Reads Liturgiam Authenticam 2: The Bible in the Roman Rite," "A Chant Historian Reads Liturgiam Authenticam 3: Languages and Cultures," and "A Chant Historian Reads Liturgiam Authenticam 4: Human and Angelic Tongues." The English translation text of Liturgiam Authenticam is published as an appendice to the book.

Catholic meditations for each day in the liturgical season of Advent

Readings for Weddings' is an inspirational collection of Bible quotations, poems, hymns and prose for secular weddings, church ceremonies and services of blessing. Mark Oakley includes such "wedding classics" as 1 Corinthians 13 and Khalil Gibran's 'The Prophet', the poetry of Shelley and Elizabeth Barret Browning, and verse by Wendy Cope and other witty, contemporary poets. Mark Oakley takes a fresh approach to preparing couples for their big day. He re-thinks the church wedding and puts humour, aspiration, poetry and love at the heart of the service. ""'Readings for Weddings' puts poetry where it should be: at the heart of a great defining moment. Mark Oakley's selection is exemplary: surprising but appropriate, tender but unsentimental, dignified but vivacious. Every happy couple, let alone their guests, will be grateful."" Andrew Motion, Poet Laureate

Liturgy in a Post-Modern World grapples with the future of liturgy at a time of exceptional uncertainty in the Christian Churches. In the summer of 2002 a conference in Rome met to look at liturgical renewal and this book is the result. Cardinal Danneels set the tone of the conference and thus of the book. After evaluating the liturgical reforms of Vatican II, he tackles the problem of incomprehensibility in a world whose symbolic system has been lost. Includes a international scholars such as Timothy Radcliffe OP, Robert F. Taft SJ, Peter C. Phan, Francisco F. Claver SJ and is edited by Keith Pecklers SJ. An Anglican perspective is contributed by Canon Donald Gray. 'Liturgy in a Post-Modern World' will be essential reading for anyone concerned with the future of liturgy.

The commentaries on the Lectionary readings in Hearing the Word of God are an attempt not only to hear the Word of God in Scripture but also to suggest ways that the Sunday readings might continue to nurture faith and life. Inevitably, they reflect the time in which they were first written - as a popular weekly column in America from November 2000 to Advent 2001. Hearing the Word of God includes Scripture readings for the Sunday, followed by a reflection on the reading, and concludes with Praying with Scripture," a series of questions and meditations to guide readers in making a personal application of the reflection. John R. Donahue, SJ, PhD, is the Raymond E. Brown Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore. He is the coauthor, with Daniel Harrington, SJ, of the Sacra Pagina commentary on The Gospel of Mark,published by Liturgical Press. "

A detailed instruction manual for all Eucharistic ministers This is a handbook to the Eucharist looking in detail at the principles of liturgical celebration as well as ritual instructions. This approach to the rite will show ministers how to enable the community to gather, encounter Christ in word and sacrament and be sent out in response to that encounter. This will help ministers to hold the liturgy together, with a sense of momentum which moves the community from the gathering to the dismissal, and which allows various members of the community to exercise individual ministries within the gathered setting.

2006 Catholic Press Association Award Winner

After suffering an eclipse during the post-Vatican II liturgical reform, popular piety has regained its vital role in the spiritual life of Catholics. In response to its re-emergence, the Congregation for divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments issued the "Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy" on December 17, 2001. The "Directory" was written for bishops and their collaborators as a pastoral guide addressing the relationship between liturgy and popular piety. "Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines, A Commentary" by Peter C. Phan provides a chapter-by-chapter commentary on the "Directory," summarizing its contents, highlighting its strengths and weaknesses, and offering suggestions on how devotional practices can be implemented in the United States. For liturgists, religious educators and students, pastoral leaders, and other interested Christians, this volume is helpful toward promoting a vigorous and authentic devotional life in the community, while respecting the preeminence of liturgical worship.

"The Commentary" begins with a preface by Peter C. Phan and an introduction by James Empereur, entitled Popular Piety and the Liturgy: Principles and Guidelines." Chapters in Part One: "Emerging Trends: History, Magisterium, Theology" are *Liturgy and Popular Piety in a Historical Perspective, - by Mark R. Francis; *Liturgy and Popular Piety in the Church's Magisterium, - by Peter Fink; and *Theological Principles for an Evaluation and Renewal of Popular Piety, - by Nathan Mitchell. Chapters in Part Two: "Guidelines for the Harmonization of Popular Piety with the Liturgy" are *The Liturgical Year and Popular Piety, - by Keith F. Pecklers; *Veneration of the Holy Mother of God, - by Joyce Ann Zimmerman; *Veneration of the Saints and Beati, - by Rail Gomez; *Suffrage for the Dead, - by Peter C. Phan; *Shrines and Pilgrimages, - by Ana Maria Pineda. Concludes with a bibliography that presents the most significant recent writings on popular piety and liturgy, by Robert Brancatelli.

"Peter C. Phan, PhD, is the Ignacio Ellacuria Professor of Catholic Social Thought at Georgetown University.""

The sacred Spanish-language hymns known as alabados originated in colonial New Spain in the eighteenth century. The Alabados of New Mexico includes a selection of the most beloved and most often sung hymns, in English and Spanish, as well as a basic explanation of the alabado. Introductory material discusses the sources of alabados and the form's origin in late medieval spirituality. Thomas Steele defines terms and discusses the alabado as poetry, music, and oral tradition. The 126 bilingual alabados are organized by theme, including the Christ child and holy family, passion narratives, sacraments, and prayers, etc. Steele includes complete texts and extensive commentaries. He has devoted decades to collecting and studying New Mexico's alabados and his annotations are enriched by his access to many versions of each hymn.

Season of Light and Hope includes original, scripture-based prayers, liturgies, and other worship aids to enrich worship from the First Sunday of Advent through the celebration of the Baptism of the Lord (usually the second Sunday in January.)
Following the same pattern as the author's previous book, Season of Ash and Fire: Prayers and Liturgies for Lent and Easter, this book contains corporate prayers and liturgies for each Sunday in the Advent and Christmas seasons, and prayers and liturgies for other worship celebrations related to Christmas. These include:

*The Hanging of the Greens,

* Service of Light and Healing,

* Order of Worship for the Children s Christmas Program,

*Prayers for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day,

* Service for the New Year

* Service for Epiphany

Additional prayers and liturgies for use during the season by small groups and families help extend and unify the congregation s celebration. For each of the special Sundays, the author provides a brief introductory paragraph, identifying the liturgical context and theme of the day, based on the Scriptures and symbols of the season. "

In an engaging style--characteristic of the author, Walter Brueggemann--this Essential Guide describes the leading motifs of ancient Israel s worship traditions in the Old Testament. The author guides the reader through the themes, central texts, prayers, festivals, and practices of that worship. He sees throughout the Old Testament a central emphasis on worship as a covenantal gesture and utterance by the community in the presence of God. In addition to being an essential guide to this subject, this book is intended to be in the service of current theological and practical issues concerning worship of the church in its ecumenical character."

A collection of prayers for the principal feasts and festivals. "Praying with the Calendar of Saints" is a collection of intercessions to accompany the Church of England Common Worship Calendar of Saints and Holy Days. There are prayers for each principal feast and festival, with sets to cover each of the 'headings' for the lesser festivals and commemorations. The collection is a natural companion to "Exciting Holiness", the compendium of readings to accompany the calendar.

Season of Ash and Fire will help pastors and worship planners prepare for Lent and Easter. The author provides corporate prayers for each Sunday and Holy Day in the Easter Cycle, including: Ash Wednesday, 1st through 5th Sundays in Lent, Passion/Palm Sunday, Holy Thursday, Good Friday, Easter Vigil, Easter Sunday Morning, Easter Evening, 2nd through 7th Sundays of Easter, Ascension Day, and Pentecost.

Additional prayers and liturgies for use during the season by small groups and families help extend and unify the congregation s celebration.

"Blair Meeks, gifted with an evangelical heart, an emancipated imagination, and a life settled in liturgy, offers a first rate resource as the church learns again to pray. Meeks not only guides the prayer of the church through the depth of Lent and the wonder of Easter, she also interprets and instructs along the way. Out of her long reflection on the mystery of worship, this book will serve pastors and all those in the church who live by faith that is funded through prayer. -- Walter Brueggemann, Professor Emeritus, Columbia Theological Seminary"

This very practical resource offers a well-informed guide to an aspect of ministry that every single priest or minister will encounter. It is one of the most difficult tasks, yet many embark on it with very little theological or practical training. They will encounter a wide range of beliefs about death and the afterlife in today's secular society, such as can be seen in the death notices of local newspapers - grandma goes to sleep, is reunited with grandpa, becomes an angel or a star in heaven. They need a resource that equips them to deal sensitively and wisely with the variety of demands that will be made of them in the planning and conduct of funerals and in helping the bereaved to understand that resurrection is God's response to death's terrible finality.

Preachers and liturgy planners will find "The Cultural World of the Prophets" a companion to John Pilch's "The Cultural World of Jesus Sunday by Sunday" series and "The Cultural World of the Apostles" series. Each essay offers historical, literary, and Eastern Mediterranean cultural information about the first reading and responsorial psalm of the liturgy of each Sunday.

"The Cultural World of the Prophets" relates the first reading and responsorial psalm to the Gospel as intended by the architects of the Lectionary. It encourages readers to pursue in-depth study and helps them appreciate the specific verses of the first reading and the responsorial psalm in their own right.

"John J. Pilch, PhD, teaches Scripture at Georgetown University. His other Liturgical Press publications include "The Cultural World of Jesus" series; "The Cultural World of the Apostles" series; "The Cultural World of the Prophets" series; "Cultural Tools for Interpreting the Good News; The Cultural Dictionary of the Bible"(Catholic Press Association award winner); "The Triduum and Easter Sunday: Breaking Open the Scriptures; Choosing a Bible Translation; Galatians and Romans in The Collegeville Bible Commentary"; and articles in "The Modern Catholic Encyclopedia, The Collegeville Pastoral Dictionary of Biblical Theology," and "The Bible Today.

Origins of the Eucharist explored in a new way which questions traditional opinion A different picture of the origins of the eucharist from the traditionally received one. The author argues that the Last Supper did not play as important a part in the formulation of the Eucharist as is popularly thought. The book will cover topics including: the last supper and New Testament narratives; the Didache and early Christian ritual meals; Justin Martyr; Irenaeus; Cyprian; the emergence of the eucharistic prayers and the transformation of the eucharist in the fourth century.

With its focus on narratives, its attention to contextual and material realities, and its collection of women-identified liturgies in global context, "Dissident Daughters" claims prominence within the growing literature on women's ways of worship. This book not only introduces liturgical texts, but focuses on the communities that create and celebrate these liturgies. "Dissident Daughters" gives voice to the women activists in these communities who show how their communities came into being; how social, cultural, and political realities shaped them and their liturgies; and how they envision their lives in and as communities of faith. In drawing the different narratives together, "Dissident Daughters" displays the expanse of the worldwide expression of women's rites, and how each is shaped by distinctly different contexts of struggle and hope.

We have all experienced hunger, whether it's a need for spiritual guidance or physical nutrition. Our hunger for God's Word can benefit those needing material sustenance. God's Word calls us to nourish the physically hungry and poor just as it nourishes our faith and sustains us in our struggle for justice. "Hunger for the Word explores the Lectionary with a focus on anti-hunger advocacy, social activism, and political issues affecting marginalized people. Using insights, images and stories from pastors, professors and lay people who are active in anti-hunger campaigns, this ecumenical book offers devotional connections to inequality issues, as well as themes to help in our struggle to understand and eliminate injustice. "Hunger for the Word, edited by Larry Hollar of Bread for the World, brings concern for hunger and fairness into our daily religious life. With weekly sermon/homily reflections, "Hunger for the Word is an invaluable resource for pastors, liturgical ministers and those interested in justice-oriented Bible study and spiritual growth. Also includes suggestions for musical worship, and ideas for children's sermons to help spread God's Word of activism, compassion, and integrity throughout the congregation.

This practical volume explores every aspect of serving as a eucharistic minister in the Catholic church. It offers in-depth teaching on the meaning of the Eucharist; personal preparation for the rite of commissioning; an explanation of the practical skills required; pastoral advice on giving communion at home or in hospital as well as help for those unexpected moments when something may go wrong. A warm and encouraging companion for all who serve in this ministry.

Worship and Christian Identity argues that sacramental and liturgical practices are the central means by which a church shapes the faith, character, and consciousness of its members. Consequently, for any church to set aside such practices as outdated or irrelevant is to set aside the means by which the church nurtures and sustains its theological identity. From this perspective, Anderson explores the following questions: What is the relationship between worship and belief? What is the relationship between corporate worship and the formation of Christian persons and communities? What is the relationship between worship and our knowledge of ourselves, our world, and God? How might our attention to the reform and renewal of worship and sacramental practice provide a framework for theological, evangelical, and sacramental renewal? Questions of sacramental practice, inclusive or transformative language, and the renewal of congregational hymnody have been largely displaced by marketing questions and conflicts between "traditional" and "contemporary" worship. The hour of worship is subdivided now into increasingly specialized "target audiences" of singles, seekers, boomers, and "X-ers" with worship carefully packaged as "traditional" or "contemporary." What at various points has been understood as a "means of grace" is now seen primarily as a "means of numerical growth." Missing in the conflict between "traditional" and "contemporary" worship is significant discussion of what is at stake for the identity of Christian persons and communities in the shape and practice of worship. Perhaps more surprising, discussion of the theological shape and practice of worship also has been absent in discussions concerning theological standards. These absences suggest that for many in the church today, worship is a means for expressing a community's belief but has little to do with the shape and character of that belief. The assumption that worship is only or primarily a pragmatic means for expressing a community's belief stands in sharp contrast to the Christian tradition. This assumption also contrasts with the insights provided by recent work in ritual studies, psychology, and faith development. Worship and Christian Identity is an important book for faculty and students in seminary and graduate programs in liturgical studies and religious education, particularly those interested in the relationships between liturgical studies and practical theology, ritual studies and liturgical theology, as well as the role of worship in Christian formation. Chapters are "Making Claims About Worship," "Worship as Ritual Knowledge," "Worship as Ritual Practice," "Trinitarian Grammar and the Christian Self," "Trinitarian Grammar and Liturgical Practice," and "A Vision of Christian Life."

Daily Catholic meditations for the liturgical season of Lent.

"Catholic Press Association Award Winner "The commentaries on the Lectionary readings in "Hearing the Word of God" are an attempt not only to hear the Word of God in Scripture but also to suggest ways that the Sunday readings might continue to nurture faith and life. Inevitably, they reflect the time in which they were first written - as a popular weekly column in America from November 2000 to Advent 2001.

"Hearing the Word of God" includes Scripture readings for the Sunday, followed by a reflection on the reading, and concludes with Praying with Scripture," a series of questions and meditations to guide readers in making a personal application of the reflection.

"John R. Donahue, SJ, PhD, is the Raymond E. Brown Distinguished Professor of New Testament Studies at St. Mary's Seminary and University, Baltimore. He is the coauthor, with Daniel Harrington, SJ, of the "Sacra Pagina" commentary on "The Gospel of Mark," published by the Liturgical Press.""

This volume examines commitment in the context of the individual and institutional response to God s call to be God s people. The call from God is a call to the altar, to the holy, in a simple do-able way, explains the author. Right now we are a little like an aborted African chant in the mainline church; there is a call, but no response. Donna Schaper outlines various reasons for this disconnect between call and response, and she offers ten concrete ways of responding to the gospel through specific actions that will help persons reconnect with their commitment to be the people of God."

Since the Common Worship Lectionary first came into use, many short preaching aids have been published. They have ranged from brief notes to almost complete sermons. This new companion offers an understanding of some points of significance in each lection for every Sunday and for other major days. It combines the latest scholarship with the conviction that the text should address today's world, squarely facing up to the difficulties that some passages may present to modern congregations. It does not aim to provide a substitute for sermon preparation, but to stimulate reflection among those engaged in this work. This is a serious academic commentary on the readings, by scholars who are also aware of the demands and purposes of preaching. The book - provides the academic background knowledge essential for interpreting the texts; does not shirk difficult questions; stimulates the prospective preacher to see new ways of reading the text; covers the Anglican variations not dealt with in American commentaries. "Real scholarship and valuable resources are] to be found in this volume..." John McCourt, Church Times on previous volume

Begun as a practical pastoral guide to worship, this book balances theory and praxis to create a compelling case for a biblical, aesthetic, and covenantal worship service as the place where the Triune God and His people renew the bonds of love and loyalty. Jeffrey Meyers begins laying out a case for a covenant renewal service by means of Old Testament sacrificial liturgics, biblical typology, and covenant theology. He then guides us through the stages of a covenant renewal liturgy, explaining from Scripture the meanings of each step of the service. The final section addresses miscellaneous issues in worship, such as the use of creeds, the "regulative principle," and ministerial clothing. Meyers provides not only a compelling biblical, theological, and historical case for covenant renewal worship, but also shows that it is beautiful, profound, edifying, and liberating.

In studying the history of the vernacular in worship beginning with the Christian Scriptures, Dynamic Equivalence uncovers the power of a living language to transform communities of faith. How we pray when we come together for common worship has always been significant, but the issue of liturgical language received unprecedented attention in the twentieth century when Latin Rite Roman Catholic worship was opened to the vernacular at Vatican II. Worshiping in one's native tongue continues to be of issue as the churches debate over what type of vernacular should be employed. Dynamic Equivalence traces the history of liturgical language in the Western Christian tradition as a dynamic and living reality. Particular attention is paid to the twentieth century Vernacular Society within the United States and how the vernacular issue was treated at Vatican II, especially within an ecumenical context. The first chapter offers a short history of the vernacular from the first century through the twentieth. The second and third chapters contain a significant amount of archival material, much of which has never been published before. These chapters tell the story of a mixed group of Catholic laity and clergy dedicated to promoting the vernacular during the first half of the twentieth century. Chapter Four begins with a survey of vernacular promotion in the Reformation itself, explores the issue of vernacular worship as an instrument of ecumenical hospitality and concludes with some examples of ecumenical liturgical cooperation in the years immediately preceding the Council. The final chapter treats the vernacular debate at the Council with attention to the Vernacular Society's role in helping with theimplementation of the vernacular. Chapters are "A Brief History of the Vernacular," "The Origins of the Vernacular Society: 1946-1956," "Pressure for the Vernacular Mounts: 1956-1962," "Vernacular Worship and Ecumenical Exchange," "Vatican II and the Vindication of the Vernacular: 1962-1965" Keith F. Pecklers, SJ, SLD, is professor of liturgy at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome and professor of liturgical history at the Pontifical Liturgical Institute of Sant 'Anselmo. He is the author of The Unread Vision: The Liturgical Movement in the United States of America 1926-1955, and co-editor of Liturgy for the New Millennium: A Commentary on the Revised Sacramentary, published by The Liturgical Press.