A prominent sociologist, Mark Chaves says “All things considered, Americans’ religious involvement is softening.” His new book American Religion: Contemporary Trends is reviewed by Pray Tell reader Jack Rakosky.
Archive for category Recently Published Books
Ignatius Press has just published a third (!) edition of A Bitter Trial, correspondence between Evelyn Waugh and Cardinal Heenan in the years from 1962 till Waugh’s death in 1966.
How many heads did Saint John the Baptist have? And whatever happened to the eye of Saint Edward Oldcorne?
The Worship Mall
Oct 23
I was first drawn to Bryan Spinks’ book The Worship Mall because I’ve been wrestling with the reality that so many of my friends and family have either left the Catholic Church or stopped attending any religious service. I have been trying to understand their decision.
Christian churches have a vast penumbra of marginal members who remain unaware—or unconvinced—that Sunday worship is a fruitful use of their time. How can it be presented so that it appears in its proper aspect, as a genuine priority in life?
GIA’s Gather 3 – a valiant attempt to be all things to many people.
A number of notable ceremonial changes have marked papal liturgy since the inauguration of Pope Benedict XVI. Find out why from the Papal Master of Ceremonies.
A codicil to Simply Fred
May 23
I just finished the book (the first time in months I read a book in one day)….
From the CNS story: “Cardinal Cañizares said that while the book’s title is provocative, it demonstrates a belief he shares: ‘Participating in the Eucharist can make us weaken or lose our faith if we do not enter into it properly’ and if the liturgy is not celebrated according to the church’s norms. This is true whether one is speaking of the ordinary or extraordinary form of the one Roman rite.’”
Book Review by Jack Rakosky