The Liturgical Year

The Liturgical Year by Joan Chittister

(I get free books from Thomas Nelson by blogging about them-BookSneeze.com)

As a life-long Southern Baptist who has loved visiting Episcopal churches, the introduction made me long to attend a liturgical church. This book covers the seasons, feasts, and ordinary time of the liturgical year. But beware, it is not a book to introduce you to or tell you what the liturgical year is; it is a book that tries to bring depth, meaning and insight to one who is familiar with and follows the liturgical year. Sister Joan, with solid theology, can be wordy at times, but overall is an insightful writer who clearly finds meaning in all the exercises of following a church calendar. I learned a lot about how Passover and Easter are determined and was convicted that I don't know much about the 'Heroes' of our faith who have gone before us (but were after the cannon). We only seem to know about the commercialized one such as Valentine and Patrick, but others we can learn from as well. Though I don't anticipate a church move, this book helped me to remember the continuous growth and reflection and community needed as a believer of any background.