The Spirit of the Liturgy: Commemorative Edition

Liturgy as the play of Christ before the Father at the creation and our play before God as the body of Christ - what a profound and beautiful symbolism!

As I look to deepen my faith, I am studying the Mass more. This book is so rich and wonderful. Actually has two different books in the hardcover edition - one by Ratzinger and one by Guardini. Fairly easy to understand what is written, which is different than other books I have read on the Mass. Shares the truth on the Vatican II's liturgical changes. Worth the read!

Joseph Ratzinger's Spirit of the Liturgy in my opinion is one of the best written books on Liturgy that was produced in the late 20th century. The language is very simple and easy to understand. If one desires to understand correctly what the liturgical movement of Vatican II is all about, then this book is a must read. Through this book, one will truly understand that at the heart of man's relationship with God is Liturgy, the right way to worship God, the worship which is not based on man's desires and plans but in accordance with God's will.

A must-read for anyone interested in the Mass. It sheds light on the Latin and Greco spirit of the liturgy as well as what is contained therein and why, in a general sense (how prayers are not targeted to one individual but broad enough to be relevant to all the lay-people). Gaurdini it always great and Pope Benedict continues to hold the light of truth.

As a protestant pastor, I found this to be very eye-opening. I have been involved in liturgical services before, and had a long-standing tradition to attend a Catholic mass at a small Catholic church in Oklahoma City for years, and I always appreciated the liturgy - as much as I understood it. Now, after reading Guardini and seeing how intentional it is at shaping the community of faith, I have started introducing elements of liturgy at the church where I pastor, working toward a more full-bodied liturgy in time.

Really 2.5 stars. While there are some very good chapters and some great lines to meditate on, overall the book has too much theology and philosophy for the ordinary reader. The introduction by Joanne M. Pierce is easily readable and is a good summary of Guardini's work.

Anyone interested in understanding the liturgy and the history surrounding the Catholic understanding of it in the 20th Century needs to read this book. For at this price there is no reason why it shouldn't be downloaded! I love having it handy on my kindle, I return to it often.

Benedict quoted from this work in his book on the liturgy so I decided to take a look. It is worthwhile, and not long. A few noteworthy chapters but some repetition. Not as good as Benedict's book IMHO.

Great book. It explains what the liturgy is meant to do and achieve.

Anything by Romano Guardini is brilliant, and worth reading. His poetical style of writing is captivating, and especially with the Liturgy shows the grandeur, cultic and playful elements of the liturgy which we Catholics often miss. It causes you to think about why we do things at Mass (such as cross ourselves, bow at certain times), and so help us to engage in the true meaning of 'active participation' which the Sevond Vatican Council called for.

El libro es de pasta dura, tiene un bonito diseño y el contenido es lo que esperaba. La calidad de la edición superó mis expectativas.