Catholic Church, Liturgics, Vatican II Church, Vatican II 

One of the most farreaching reforms of the Second Vatican Council has been the renewal and updating of the Sacred Liturgy. In the last twenty years there has been a phenomenal growth in liturgical studies and liturgical practice. Rites have been revised (the "new" Mass), neglected emphases have been revived (priesthood of the faithful), ministries have been introduced (extraordinary ministers), and new terms have been coined (adaptations, indigenization).

Amid this bewildering array of knowledge and experiences, this new Dictionary of the Liturgy makes readily available all that one needs to know about the Liturgy. In a down-to-earth and informative style, Father Lang places at the fingertips of all Catholics a perfect means of liturgical culture and initiation.

This encyclopedic dictionary abounds with accurate and clear explanations of everything that has to do with the Liturgy - words, gestures, rites, prayers, themes, service books, sacred vessels, vestments, art, music, and much more. The alphabetical entries with their copious cross-references provide instant information. At the same time, the volume can provide hours of random reading pleasure. Each entry contains a rich treasury of liturgical knowledge - from the correct phonetic pronunciation to the latest liturgical views on each subject.

Profusely illustrated throughout and printed in large easy-to-read type, it also contains full-color illustrations, special charts and tables for easier understanding, and a host of other study features.

This Dictionary is sure to lead all who use it to know, love, and live the Liturgy - the public worship of the People of God.

Father Jovian P. Lang is a Franciscan priest of the Order of Friars Minor, a member of the Sacred Heart Province. He received his BA at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, Cleveland, Ohio, and completed his theological studies at St. Joseph Seminary, Teutopolis, Illinois. Pursuing graduate studies at Case-Western Reserve in Cleveland, he received an MS in Library Science in 1950 and an MA in Speech and Hearing Therapy in 1955. He is presently in the Division of Library and Information Science at St. John's University, Jamaica, New York.

For years, Father Jovian has been editing annually the Ordo for English Speaking Franciscans; an Ordo for Diocesan priests in the United States; the St. Joseph Missal Guide; the St. Joseph Guide for the Liturgy of the Hours, and its Roman-Seraphic version, and the St. Joseph Guide to Christian Prayer, and its Roman-Seraphic version; and the Calendarium Romanum Seraphicum for all calendarists of the Franciscan Order. Father Jovian also compiles a monthly Missalette and other credits include editing the English version of The Liturgy of Vatican II and being Media Review Editor for the periodical Modern Liturgy. He has published extensively in Library Science also.

Father Jovian has held many offices in Library Associations at the local, state, and national levels. He was a Council Member of the American Library Association for two terms, and President of the Catholic Library Association, from which he accepted a life membership in 1986. Since 1976 he has attended the annual meetings of the North American Academy of Liturgy and is currently taking an active part in the workshops of Preaching in Worship.

Taken from the inside flaps.