Synopses & Reviews
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.
Review
. . . his book is remarkable for its clarity and wisdom. . . . An outstanding guide that is easy to understand.Le Courrier Français
Review
To carefully spend time with this book is to rediscover the fundamental meaning of the Mass.Fêtes et Saisons
Synopsis
..".as revealing as it is instructive." La Croix
Synopsis
Father Deiss in this work helps us to discover the rich liturgical celebration of the Mass. He follows the Order of the Mass so that the reader might appreciate this structure and its rhythm, and he explains each part of the Mass with its rites and words. Some of these elements have their roots in the beginnings of Christianity, while others witness to the religious and cultural experience of Christianity through the centuries. Father Deiss tries to help us understand the meaning of the celebration today.