At the Heart of the Liturgy: Conversations with Nathan D. Mitchell's

Marc Notes: From 1991 to 2012, Nathan D. Mitchell was the author of the 'Amen Corner' that appeared at the end of each issue of 'Worship'. Readers of 'Worship' grew accustomed to Nathan's columns as invitations to rethink the practice of Christian worship through a liturgical theology that was interdisciplinary, aesthetic, and attentive to history. With the soul of a poet, Nathan was always on the lookout for the turn of phrase, the image, stanza, or metaphor from other classic wordsmiths that could capture the liturgical insight he wanted to explore. This volume assembles some of the most important of these columns around the themes of body, Word, Spirit, beauty, justice, and unity. In addition, Nathan's former students offer substantive commentary through essays that invite the reader to consider how the themes raised by Nathan might develop in the coming years. Review Quotes: "Readers of Worship have regularly told me that Mitchell's column has been the first thing they read when they receive Worship. He has brought to his writing not only a deep and broad understanding of liturgical theology and ecumenical history but also a well-crafted interdisciplinary method by which he has called all of us to live more justly and to see beauty and goodness where we have often been blind--above all in poetry and painting, in the social sciences, in music, and in ritual studies." R. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB (+April 27, 2013) Former Editor of WorshipPublisher Marketing: From 1991 to 2012, Nathan D. Mitchell was the author of the "Amen Corner" that appeared at the end of each issue of Worship. Readers of Worship grew accustomed to Nathan's columns as invitations to rethink the practice of Christian worship through a liturgical theology that was interdisciplinary, aesthetic, and attentive to history. With the soul of a poet, Nathan was always on the lookout for the turn of phrase, image, stanza, or metaphor from other classic wordsmiths that could capture the liturgical insight he wanted to explore. For the first time, this volume assembles some of the most important of these columns around the themes of body, Word, Spirit, beauty, justice, and unity. In addition, Nathan's former students offer substantive commentary through essays that invite the reader to consider how the themes raised by Nathan might develop in the coming years. This collection is a must-read both for those who admired Nathan's contribution to liturgical studies and for a newer generation of scholars seeking to discern the frontiers of liturgical theology. Nathan D. Mitchell is an emeritus professor of liturgy in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. In 1998, Mitchell was presented with the Berakah Award from the North American Academy of Liturgy for his contribution to the field. His many publications include the following books: "Meeting Mystery: Liturgy, Worship, Sacraments," and "The Mystery of the Rosary: Marian Devotion and the Reinvention of Catholicism." Contributor Bio:  Johnson, Maxwell E Maxwell E. Johnson, PhD, is an oblate of Saint John's Abbey, Collegeville, Minnesota, and an ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. He is professor of liturgy at the University of Notre Dame. His articles have appeared frequently in Worship. He is the author of" Living Water, Sealing Spirit, The Rites of Christian Initiation", and "Between Memory and Hope", published by Liturgical Press. Contributor Bio:  O'Malley, Timothy P Timothy O Malley, Ph. D., is director of the Notre Dame Center for Liturgy in the Institute for Church Life and a Concurrent Assistant Professional Specialist in the Department of Theology, University of Notre Dame. He is the founding editor of Church Life: A Journal for the New Evangelization. Contributor Bio:  Hilkert, Mary Catherine Hilkert is Associate Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame.