The People's Work: A Social History of the Liturgy

Distinguished liturgical historian and theologian Frank Senn in The People's Work ventures behind the liturgical screen, behind the texts, and behind the rubrics to reconstruct the everyday religious expression in Christian history.

Senn's previous work in this area, Christian Liturgy: Catholic and Evangelical (1997) has been widely hailed not only for its comprehensive treatment of Christian liturgy in all ages and communions but also for its appreciation of the dynamic role of culture in shaping liturgical expression.

In The People's Work, Senn delves further into the cultural home of liturgy, judiciously and insightfully looking at processions and pilgrimage, communion practices and spiritual reading, fasting and feasting - all the myriad liturgical practices that have been the concrete life and primary work of the body of Christ.