What is the future of liturgical song? The answer to that question, says Lucien Deiss, depends upon the development of the liturgy itself and the search for better ways to spread the Gospel. Drawing upon the riches of the past to guide that search, this book reflects on what is desirable today. Making the ministerial function of music and song the point of reference - and the key to all questions - it discusses every musical aspect, from processions, acclamations and responsorial psalms, to hymns, the Credo and the cantillation of the readings. The book outlines present-day practices, makes suggestions for improvement, and contributes sound, creative ideas for the future. Using his broad historical and musical knowledge of the Church's liturgy, Father Deiss takes readers through the Eucharistic celebration. The book reflects not just on the liturgy's repertoire of music and song, but also on the roles of those who participate in its formation: priest, choir, music, liturgist, organist, cantor and congregation.

The Eucharistic celebration is 'the center of the Christian community,' 'the source and summit of the Christian life,' or further, 'the center and culmination of the entire life of the Christian community.' Root, source, center, summit: the Eucharistic celebration is at the heart of our faith and our life. To study it is to look at its own heart. That is where we meet Jesus Christ, present in his Word, present in the Eucharist, present in the celebrating community." From these words of introduction to his concluding remarks, Father Deiss offers an explanation of the post-Vatican II Mass that is as remarkable for its simplicity as it is for its thoroughness. He examines the structure of the celebration as revealed by Vatican II, a structure that, in his words, appears now "simpler, more luminous, more beautiful" than ever before. Lucien Deiss, C.S.Sp., for ten years a professor of theology and Scripture at the Grand Scholasticat de Chevilly-Larue, is one of the pioneers of the biblical and liturgical renewal. He worked for the reform brought about by Vatican II and participated in the ecumenical translation of the Bible. He is the author of numerous books, including Celebration of the Word; Springtime of the Liturgy; The Mass; and Joseph, Mary, Jesus, published by The Liturgical Press. He has composed many liturgical songs, some of which have been translated into the principal world languages, including Chinese.

(Re-released as part of the "Classics in Liturgy" series) Originally published as "Early Sources of the Liturgy, " this book presents the principal texts of the Christian liturgy from its beginnings to the fifth century. Included among the main sources treated are liturgical texts of the Jewish tradition; doxologies, hymns, and blessings of the New Testament; the Didache; the Letter to the Corinthians of Clement of Rome; the Apostolic Tradition of Hippolytus of Rome; the Anaphora of Addai and Mari; the Didascalia of the Apostles; the Euchology of Serapion.

Later witnesses include the Strasbourg Papyrus; the Apostolic Constitutions; the Euchology of Der Balyzeh; the Catechesis of Cyril of Jerusalem.

"Lucien Deiss, CSSp, for ten years a professor of theology and Scripture at the Grand Scholastica de Chevilly-Larue, is one of the pioneers of the biblical and liturgical renewal. He worked for the reform brought about by Vatican II and participated in the ecumenical translation of the Bible. He is the author of numerous books, including "Celebration of the Word; Springtime of the Liturgy; The Mass; "and "Joseph, Mary, Jesus, " published by The Liturgical Press. He has composed many liturgical songs, some of which have been translated into the principal world languages, including Chinese."