Cardinal Ratzinger recently endorsed an observation made to him by a young priest: "Today we need a new Liturgical Movement." In its origins, the Liturgical Movement was not primarily concerned with ritual reform. First and foremost it sought the return of liturgical spirituality to its rightfully central place in Christian life. Liturgy the Life of the Church, without doubt one of the Movement’s seminal works, provides a solid foundation for those who accept the challenge and the urgency of reviving and of realising this vision in the twenty-first century.

"This lovely little book is likely to inspire the thoughtful hierophant to wonder whatever happened to the Liturgical Movement… Read, and re-read, Beauduin…" New Directions

"In a time when the Liturgy of the Church is a mess in many places, this classic treatment of the nature of the Liturgy is indeed welcome. It is highly recommended to all those who are interested in the theology and the practice of the Liturgy of the Catholic Church." Homiletic and Pastoral Review