At the Heart of the Liturgy - by Maxwell E Johnson & Timothy P O'Malley & Demetrio S Yocum (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

From 1991 to 2012, Nathan D. Mitchell was the author of the "Amen Corner" that appeared at the end of each issue of Worship. Readers of Worship grew accustomed to Nathan's columns as invitations to rethink the practice of Christian worship through a liturgical theology that was interdisciplinary, aesthetic, and attentive to history. With the soul of a poet, Nathan was always on the lookout for the turn of phrase, image, stanza, or metaphor from other classic wordsmiths that could capture the liturgical insight he wanted to explore.

For the first time, this volume assembles some of the most important of these columns around the themes of body, Word, Spirit, beauty, justice, and unity. In addition, Nathan's former students offer substantive commentary through essays that invite the reader to consider how the themes raised by Nathan might develop in the coming years.

This collection is a must-read both for those who admired Nathan's contribution to liturgical studies and for a newer generation of scholars seeking to discern the frontiers of liturgical theology.

Nathan D. Mitchell is an emeritus professor of liturgy in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. In 1998, Mitchell was presented with the Berakah Award from the North American Academy of Liturgy for his contribution to the field. His many publications include the following books: Meeting Mystery: Liturgy, Worship, Sacraments, and The Mystery of the Rosary: Marian Devotion and the Reinvention of Catholicism.

Review Quotes

"Readers of Worship have regularly told me that Mitchell's column has been the first thing they read when they receive Worship. He has brought to his writing not only a deep and broad understanding of liturgical theology and ecumenical history but also a well-crafted interdisciplinary method by which he has called all of us to live more justly and to see beauty and goodness where we have often been blind--above all in poetry and painting, in the social sciences, in music, and in ritual studies."
R. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB (+April 27, 2013), Former Editor of Worship

"I would recommend each of the individual sections of the book for use in undergraduate or graduate instruction. The book as a whole would be useful for courses treating major (American) liturgical theologians."Timothy Brunk, Horizons

"This book is a celebration of [Mitchell's] liturgical legacy and a prediction of a dynamic liturgical future to come. The three editors must be commended for their skills in makingAt the Heart of the Liturgy a work of scholarship and a testament of love. This book will be appreciate by liturgical students, pastors, and readers interested in the beauty of Christian liturgy."John Leonard Berg, Catholic Library World