Christians are identified by their participation in liturgy. In this primer, Catherine Vincie introduces readers to current liturgical theology by providing them with the foundational themes of the field. She explains that liturgy draws us into the paschal mystery of Jesus Christ, that it should create a space in which we attempt to name toward God by employing an abundance of metaphors and images, and that the sacraments are communicated and understood through the use of symbols. Vincie is grounded in the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. As such, Celebrating Divine Mystery seeks to draw readers into full, conscious, and active participation" in the liturgy by informing them about recent scholarship and challenging them to enter the divine mystery as informed and engaged participants.
"In Celebrating Divine Mystery Catherine Vincie, RSHM, has provided a welcome and very accessible entry level text in liturgical studies.... Vincie is a teacher at heart, offering helpful summaries throughout her work and providing extensive recommended readings in an appendix for those who will surely be captivated by one or another topic and will want to continue study in greater depth."
Kathleen Hughes, RSCJ, Former President of the North American Academy of Liturgy (NAAL), A
"Celebrating Divine Mystery is a wonderful book, written by a professor of liturgical studies, about the Church's history of liturgical reform.... This book could easily serve as a primary text for a class on worship and liturgy. It will also help others who are interested in better understanding why we worship the way we do."
Liguorian
"This is an excellent example of a primer and, as such, valuable to students and anyone seeking a compendium of contemporary liturgical basics."
