Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass

As an initiative of the Liturgical Institute at the University of Saint Mary of the Lake and Liturgy Training Publications, Mystical Body, Mystical Voice: Encountering Christ in the Words of the Mass, uses the texts of the third typical edition of the Roman Missal to illustrate how the liturgy is enriched and the Church's understanding of the Second Vatican Council is deepened through the translation of the Missal. This book is not simply a guide that explains the revised texts as if we were simply changing the words we say at Mass; rather, it seizes the opportunity of the promulgation of the third edition of The Roman Missal as a valuable vehicle for liturgical catechesis.

Grounded in sacramental theology and the liturgical rites of the Church, respected authors Rev. Douglas Martis, sacramental theologian, seminary professor, Director of the Liturgical Institute, and Christopher Carstens, Director of the Office of Worship, LaCrosse, WI--recall for the readers that the Sacred Liturgy is safeguarded by the Church. Its purpose is the glorification of God and the sanctification of humanity. To that end, the texts of the Mass are viewed in light of the Paschal Mystery and the Church as the mystical body of Christ.

Mystical Body, Mystical Voice is intended to assist pastors; associate pastors, deacons; directors of liturgy; music; religious education programs; and parish and diocesan leaders in their catechesis about the Mass in light of the third edition of The Roman Missal. This accessible book explores:
The sacramental nature of the liturgy,
The symbolic use of words in the liturgy,
A brief history of translation of the missal,
An examination of the texts of the Mass,
A section on liturgical catechesis,
Features discussion questions to help parish leaders and all readers deepen their understanding of the Mass.

Fr. Douglas Martis, PhD, STD is a priest of the Diocese of Joliet, Illinois. He is director of the Liturgical Institute and chair of the Worship Department at Mundelein Seminary of the Archdiocese of Chicago. He holds a doctorate in sacramental theology from the Institut Catholique in Paris as well as a doctorate in History of Religions and Religious Anthropology from the University of Paris. A popular and sought-after speaker, he is the editor of The Mundelein Psalter. He is currently writing a twenty-part series on the sacred liturgy for Christ Is Our Hope magazine.
Mr. Christopher Carstens holds a B.A. from the Oratory of St. Philip in Toronto, and M.A. in Philosophy from the University of Dallas and a M.A. (Liturgical Studies) from The Liturgical Institute. He is currently the Director of the Office of Sacred Worship for the Diocese of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, where he serves as Coordinator of Pontifical Liturgies, liturgical coordinator for the Permanent Deacon formation program, and diocesan Director of RCIA. He is an adjunct faculty member at the Liturgical Institute and a frequent presenter in liturgical conferences and parish education. He is a member of the Society for Catholic Liturgy and is married with four children.