Liturgies of the Future

In this book Anscar Chupungco carries forward the work begun in 'Cultural Adaptation of the Liturgy'. Now, more than forty years after the Council, the first stage of the liturgical renewal is complete: the Roman liturgy has been restored to its classical shape. But the challenge of the second stage lies before us: the adaptation of the liturgy to various cultures and traditions. This, the unfinished agenda of the Council, is the task of local churches. Chupungco here calls them to take up that task, "to be faithful to sound tradition and to foster legitimate progress at the same time . . . an art requiring expertise in the science of liturgy, the virtue of flexibility, and often a great faith in the wisdom of the Church. After reviewing the mandate of the Council, the author examines the future of the liturgy in three chapters: the future shape of the eucharistic celebration, the future shape of sacramental celebrations, and the future shape of the liturgical year. This hopeful and stimulating book will be of great assistance not only to teachers and students of the liturgy, but also to those who daily confront the challenges of the future on a pastoral level.