Worship Without Words: The Signs and Symbols of Our Faith, Expanded Edition

by Patricia S. Klein

The perfect resource to explain christian church symbolism. If you are new to liturgical worship, through conversion or rediscovery, you may find yourself surrounded by images and traditions that are totally foreign to your experience of church. This thorough guide uses understandable language to explain the signs, symbols, gestures, vestments, calendar, and architectural and sacramental elements of the liturgy. With clarity and insight, Patricia Klein explores the meaning of these time-honored traditions, as well as their historical and biblical roots. New to this edition are expanded sections on liturgical colors, pre-Lenten traditions, the Last Things, saints’ feast days, and symbols of Easter, martyrdom, saints, and the Virgin Mary; as well as entirely new sections on symbols of sin and temptation, and Old Testament saints and their symbols in art and architecture.

Genres: Religion, Nonfiction

253 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2000

Reviews

[Colleen · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book about all things Catholic. It talks about the liturgical year and all its meanings (i.e., Ash Wednesday, Lent, Holy week, etc).

It explains all things about the Mass (ie., everything on the altar, what the priest is wearing, the prayers and songs etc.

It's a pretty concise and clear book if you are interested in learning about the Catholic faith or if you are a Catholic wanting to brush up on your faith.

[Kay · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book.

[Jenny · Rating 3 out of 5]

As one of the many "liturgically challenged," having grown up without all of the ceremony and symbolism, reading this book was tremendously helpful to understanding my current church service. The explanations themselves were clear and took the time to explain all things rather than assume the reader understood them. Also, the interspersed quotations from throughout church history served to both explain things and to make the reader appreciate the mystery and beauty of liturgy. Even the most stoically against the pomp and circumstance of high church should be moved by the sincerity of these words.



However, while I'm glad I read this book to get the background I did, it was at times difficult to keep going straight through. Despite its brevity, _Worship Without Words_ is written more as a reference instead of a narrative. The great majority of the text is set up as lists of terms and their definitions, which becomes repetition after a while. All in all, I'm glad to have this valuable book around as I continue in my liturgical attendance.

[James · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a short pocket reference for liturgy and symbol in Christian worship. The title is somewhat a misnomer as it covers the important elements of liturgy (including the words). It also discusses seasons, architecture, priestly garments, sacramental utensils, etc.

As a short reference book, this is pretty good, thoughtfully arranged with good information. Particular focus on Catholic and Anglican liturgy.

[Larry Taylor · Rating 2 out of 5]

kind of a reference book of Christian symbols (like different kinds of crosses, doves, fire, etc.) and signs (like the seasons of the liturgical year and their colors and meanings). it also gives definitions for all those church words (like "rood" and "pall").

[Bonnie · Rating 3 out of 5]

A great book for study of the meaning of Christian symbols in art and the meaning behind different aspects of the worship service, vestments, parts of the church, colors used, etc. Clear and easy to understand with lots of illustrations.

[Terry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A capacious glossary of terms from the world's most popular religions.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

the signs and symbols of our faith

[Aaron Cummings]

Borrowed by N.D.