The Wellspring of Worship

by Jean Corbon

Book Overview

The Sacred Liturgy, declares Vatican II, is the font from which all the Church's spiritual power flows. In his modern classic work The Wellspring of Worship, Fr. Jean Corbon explores the meaning of the Liturgy as the wellspring or source of the Church's life and worship of God. The Liturgy itself is a sharing in the mystery of the Triune God and in the Incarnation, Passion, Death, Resurrection and Ascension of Jesus. Corbon writes that it...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1586170228
• ISBN13: 9781586170226
• Release Date: May 2005
• Publisher: Ignatius Press
• Length: 262 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.7" x 5.4" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

Wellspring of Worship

I agree with above, the writing style is quiet "poetic" and one is easily caught up in it in the beginning. Then there are "leaps of faith" in the authors thoughts. The poetical style I found to become tedious and verbose as the book went on. I do not disagree with the content, but I found myself pushing to the end. I wanted to read it all, but had enough of his style. Still a good read though. may give it another crack one day.

A deep meditation on our most important activity

This is a vitally important work for anyone who wishes to understand the meaning behind Christian liturgy. Fr. Corbon, the principal author of the section on prayer in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (and influential advisor to the section on the liturgy), writes a masterful, as well as beautiful, treatise on the fundamentals of Christian liturgy. Those not familiar with Fr. Corbon might be expecting a dry scholastic treatment, but this is not the case. A Dominican who was part of the Greek-Catholic eparchy of Beirut, Fr. Corbon tightly integrates both Eastern and Western theology to produce a unified vision of why, and how, Christians worship the Blessed Trinity. A key concept running throughout the book is "synergy", or "coorperation." Fr. Corbon defines synergy as "what is novel in the union of God and man in Christ and, more specifically, what is novel in the energy of the Holy Spirit that permeates the energy of men and conforms them to Christ." As he states, "the full realism of the liturgy and of our divinization has its source in this synergy." This idea of the liturgy being a cooperation between God and man in the worship of God through Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit (especially highlighted in the epiclesis), is the fundamental premise of Fr. Corbon's work. A word of warning: this book is deep reading. Do not expect to lightly engage it. In order to understand the deep reflections contained therein, one must work hard to penetrate the mysteries Fr. Corbon brings to light. But in the end, it is well worth it, and one's participation in the liturgy will never be the same.

Letting the graces of the liturgy pour forth

At times a tad poetic, but always elegantly written, in this book Fr. Corbon expresses the majesty and blessing that is found in liturgical life, yes this includes the Eucharist as the prime expression, but he also delves in the more profound sense of how entering into the liturgy is an experience of entering into the life of God. It will certainly help you appreciate the Mass as well as the daily Christian life.

An incredible book!

This book is absolutely amazing. Fr. Corbon provides a masterful contemplative reflection about the mystery of the liturgy and how it needs to be lived. He brilliantly refocuses the debate that rages in modern circles about rules and rubrics to be about reascending to the source and rediscovering the Trinity as the source and font of the liturgy. The first section of the book can be a somewhat difficult read because the language used is the fruit of contemplation. It needs to be read with prayer and meditation in order for the full effect of what Fr. Corbon is proposing to be realized. I believe that all Christians, but most especially Catholics should put this at the top of their reading list. It will give you a completely new understanding of the liturgy and in many cases will probably change your life. Overall it is one of the best books that I have ever read.

Excellent treatise on the Liturgy of the Eucharist!

This is a beautifully written work of theology, drawing us more deeply into the mystery of the Trinity through the Divine Liturgy. In Part I, Jean Corbon delves into the Mystery of the Liturgy revealed through the life of Christ and the Church. Then, in part II, he unfolds the beauty of the Liturgy Celebrated. Part III reveals "The Liturgy Lived", emphasizing how the Eucharist is an integral part of human daily living, "the mystery of the river of life that streams from the Father and the Lamb ..." (137). Jean Corbon assists the reader by providing a key to liturgical vocabulary; and, this book has only 200 pages.