Customer Reviews

Liturgical Question Box

5 star:		(3)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

In this wonderful little book, Msgr. Elliott fields a wide variety of questions concerning everything from sacred vessels to the location of baptismal fonts, and not just the usual "standing during the Consecration" query. Moreover, he includes one of the best explanations of the higly-charged "ad orientem" question, i.e., the priest-celebrant faces liturgical east with the people instead of facing them across the altar, that I've seen. Regarding a mild critique by another reviewer about Msgr. Elliott's bias, I did not find his occasional dispensing of advice when there is the liturgical equivalent of a "jump ball" to be off-putting at all. He clearly labels what is mandated by the norms and what falls outside of them.

The same attention to detail and love for the liturgy that shine in Msgr. Elliott's "Ceremonies of the Modern Roman Rite" are evident here as he tackles a whole host of questions about both theology and rubrics in every portion of the Mass. He clearly distinguishes between things he does not personally approve of and things that are forbidden by the Church, and answers each question in clear, lively prose. "Liturgical Question Box" is a must-have for anyone who wishes to reclaim the sacred in Catholic liturgy today.

Msgr. Elliott provides a solid resource of liturgical questions in "Liturgical Question Box". The most surprising aspects of the book are (a) the wealth of information covered, (b) the seamlessness by which that is accomplished, and (c) the overall readability. Instead the anticipated collection of Q&A, I was pleased at Elliott's effort to craft a fluid narrative that dances from question to question. He probes deep where needed, misses little, and provides useful information for presbyters, sacristans, and "arm-chair liturgists" alike. In light of the pronounced lack of liturgical attention and understanding within the contemporary Church, among clergy and laypersons, Elliott deserves six stars.

The primary weakness of the book, on the other hand, is its inclination toward bias. While Elliott clearly indicates certain assertions as such, his Agenda [capitalization intended] is masked. Elliott is quick to advocate that which he prefers, and that both weakens the book and creates confusion (since most of the contents are technical and unbiased). To cite some examples, the following issues need further explanation, regarding what is doctrine versus theology versus preference: lay gestures, such as holding hands and extending hands during the Lord's Prayer; genuflection; singing; the double greeting (i.e., saying "good morning"); and intinction. In fact, regarding intinction, there is no mention legal versus illegal intinction. Granted, this book predates the 2002 GIRM reform, but, even so, it is strange that intinction is not discussed during the elaborate discourse on distributing and receiving eucharist. Speaking of the 2002 GIRM, we must remember to look for doctrinal information in doctrinal places, and this book is not doctrine.

Nevertheless, it is what it is-an excellent, fun to read, deeply informative explanation of a variety of liturgical questions written with scholarly knowledge and qualification, but in truly down-to-earth terms that we can all understand. I cannot imagine why anyone who cares about liturgy would not want to read this important, enjoyable book.