By Romano Guardini

The Spirit of the Liturgy, first published in English in 1930, is a profound meditation on the liturgy as the lex orandi—lex orandi, lex credendi: the law of prayer is the law of faith. For an age where the liturgy is often reduced to something therapeutic, self-directed, or meant primarily to benefit or entertain the participant, Romano Guardini provides a powerful reminder of the true purpose of the liturgy: “In the liturgy God is to be honored by the body of the faithful, and the latter is in its turn to derive sanctification from this act of worship.” 

It is the great fundamental truths which above all fill the liturgy.… It is only such an overwhelming abundance of truth which can never pall, but continue to be, day after day, all things to all men, ever fresh and inexhaustible. (Romano Guardini)

Perhaps even more today than at the time of its original publication, The Spirit of the Liturgy is a much-needed articulation of the infinite power and beauty of the liturgy to lift man into proper praise of and prayer to Almighty God.

Romano Guardini (1885–1968) was a Catholic priest, professor, and author. He taught theology and philosophy at the University of Berlin, University of Tübingen, and University of Munich. Included among his intellectual disciples are Josef Pieper, Luigi Giussani, and Joseph Ratzinger.

Paperback: 130pp.

ISBN: 978-1944418670