This treasure is a gem of the early Liturgical Movement in Germany. It was first published on the eve of the First World War, in an effort to open up the world to sacred liturgy, to show Europeans how accessible the liturgy truly is.
Reading this book, one is reminded of how helpful the Liturgical Movement was in its early stages before its period of disintegration that began in earnest after World War II. In its earlier years, the movement witnessed a new era that had dawned, brining many influences to help common people understand and embrace the liturgy and benefit from the spiritual effects. The revival of interest in the liturgy was palpable and fruitful, with Romano Guardini as a solid voice in Germany.
Guardini was an Italian-born priest who grew up in Germany. He understood well the human task of divine worship and became a key early voice in the movement in Germany, teaching his readers to grasp the substance and externals. In this book he succeeds, unveiling the meaning behind the symbols and the underlying reasons. His writings remain relevant and were in large part aimed at a lay audience.
The book was written for a German audience, Catholics in Munich, from a different generation who had an appetite for beauty and were hungry for more. It still speaks to the human heart today. It was translated into English and published for an American audience in 1955, a sign of the slow advance of the Liturgical Movement to the shores of North America.
The book has 68 pages and the price is $12.95. It can be read in a day. It has value for both youth and adults and could be a great teaching tool for Confirmation prep. The book is readable and keeps on subject. The author is able to get the reader thinking about the deeper meanings in every aspect of the mystery of church and worship.
The author illustrates to the reader that matter has meaning; nothing is wasted with the sacred liturgy as body and soul are inextricably mingled and everything takes on a new meaning.
Each chapter heading has a small image done in the style of the 1950s Liturgical Movement in the genre or manner of design that was coming in those years from St. John's Abbey in Minnesota.
In short, the book helps spark the imagination and foster curiosity with a radiant view of the liturgical experience. The end product is hopefully prayerful adults who believe and practice the liturgy with joy and understanding while passing this fervor and knowledge on to the next generation.
Liturgical education was the focus for the Liturgical Movement and thus the goal for this book when it was first published. Guardini explains: "We need to show how, or by some means be incited, to see and feel and make the sacred signs ourselves."
His plan and method had four points. 1. Start with the basics. 2. Enable personal experience. 3. Persevere. 4. Understand.
Below is the Table of Contents.
The Sign of the Cross
The Hands
Kneeling
Standing
Walking
Striking the Breast
Steps
Doors
Candles
Holy Water
Fire
Ashes
Incense
Light and Heat
Bread and Wine
Linen
The Altar
The Chalice
The Paten
Blessing
Space Sanctified
Bells
Time Sanctified
The Name of God
Of particular interest is the chapter entitled SPACE SANCTIFIED. Here the author speaks of order vs. chaos, the order of direction in sacred space, grounded in mystery. Following is a sample of what he writes in simple, yet eloquent language:
"Churches are built along the east to west direction of the sun's course. They face the east and the rising sun. The chord of the sun's arc runs through them. They are built to receive his first and his last rays. The sun of the supernatural world is Christ. Consequently the course of the natural sun, his symbol, governs all sacred architecture and determines all its forms and arrangements. At every line and point eternal life is kept in view.
At the reading of the Gospel the missal is moved over to the left; that is, since the altar always faces east, it is moved toward the north. As a matter of history the divine message proceeded northward from the Mediterranean region, and the memory of this fact is present. But the more profound symbolism is that the south is the region of light, and signifies the divine illumination, as the north signifies darkness and cold. The Word of God, who is the Light of the World, rises out of the light and shines upon the darkness and presses hard upon it in order to make itself 'comprehended.'
East to west, south to north. The third direction is from above down, from below up. When he is preparing the Holy Sacrifice, the priest lifts up first the paten, then the chalice. God is above; he is the All-Highest. 'Out of the depths' the suppliant lifts up ands and eyes toward the holy hills."
Lastly, I will always remember the day in January 1999 when I accidentally stumbled into a church in Munich and saw the tomb of Fr. Romano Guardini. I immediately recognized his name. A short time later I signed up for a class at my university for a course offered on his book entitled The Lord. It was a powerful experience.
Readers are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the writings of Guardini. Take full advantage and support our good friends of Os Justi Press, bringing alive these timeless classics so important to help educate the next generation and solidify the future of our educated lay populace.
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