Inhonorofitsfortiethanniversary(1978-2018),IgnatiusPresspresentsaspecialCommemorativeEditionofoneofthemostimportantworkswrittenbyJosephRatzinger,TheSpiritoftheLiturgy.ThiseditionincludestheearlierclassicworkwiththesametitlebyServantofGodRomanoGuardini,abookthathelpedRatzingerto“rediscovertheliturgyinallitsbeauty,hiddenwealthandtime-transcendinggrandeur,toseeitastheanimatingcenteroftheChurch,theverycenterofChristianlife“.ConsideredbyRatzingerdevoteesasoneofhisgreatestworks,thisprofoundandbeautifullywrittentreatmentoftheliturgywillhelpreaderstodeepentheirunderstandingofthe“greatprayeroftheChurch“.ThecardinaldiscussesfundamentalmisunderstandingsoftheSecondVaticanCouncil’sintentionsforliturgicalrenewal,especiallyaboutthepriest’sorientationofprayertotheFather,theplacementofthetabernacleinchurches,andthepostureofkneeling.Otherimportanttopicsaretheessenceofworship,theJewishrootsofChristianprayer,therelationshipoftheliturgytotimeandspace,sacredartandmusic,andtheactiveparticipationofthefaithfulintheMass.
