Synopsis "Letters on Liturgy"
The timeless beauty of the Catholic liturgy should provide stability and depth in the superficial, fast-changing modern world, but too often it sacrifices part of its soul to the Spirit of the Age. In Letters on Liturgy, Fr. Dwight Longenecker writes to a fictional seminarian about the meaning and purpose of the liturgy in the modern world. His witty, wise, and down-to-earth letters blend a love of literature, drama, and art with decades of experience as a pastor. They leave technical jargon, arcane arguments, and unrealistic ideals behind, offering in their stead accessible, practical ways to bring beauty and reverence back into Catholic worship.“Here we find good advice, good taste, joyful patience, and realistic hope. A powerful little book on a most important subject.”—DOM XAVIER PERRIN, OSB, Abbot of Quarr Abbey“With a vitality of style matching his theological ambition to re-enchant Catholic worship, Dwight Longnecker educates, instructs, and inspires.”—R. R. RENO, Editor, First Things“Fr. Dwight Longenecker demonstrates a profound grasp of the difficulties often found in contemporary Catholic worship. The writing is a rare and welcome fusion of profound love of the liturgy and deep compassion for the faithful.”—W. WINSTON ELLIOTT III, Publisher of The Imaginative Conservative“I highly recommend Letters on Liturgy. Fr. Longenecker charitably corrects modern errors, excesses, and distortions, while offering also practical advice on how to restore greater reverence and recover lost traditions.”—REV. MSGR CHARLES POPE, Pastor of Holy Comforter St. Cyprian Catholic Church“Father Longenecker persuasively shows us that to re-enchant the liturgy is to re-enchant the world, and thereby make our ancient Faith new.”—MAGGIE GALLAGHER, Benedict XVI Institute “Letters on Liturgy reminds us that beautiful liturgy brings us ever closer to ultimate realities, at the heart of which is the Logos Himself.”—SAMUEL GREGG, Acton Institute“As one who loves the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, I welcome the insights of pastors, such as Fr. Longenecker, who celebrate the Ordinary Form with reverence, and with canonical, theological, and aesthetic sensibility.”—JOSEPH PEARCE, editor of the St. Austin Review
