What Happens in the Liturgy?

[T.More]

Can anyone point me to any online resources about the reasons the liturgy is ordered as it is and has the elements it does? I am looking for a general overview more than a detailed analysis.

I am especially interested in the so-called parte dei (acts of God)and parte homeni (acts of man, or the congregation).

thanks

 

[Minimus]

There are many web sites that explain the liturgy to any degree of (web) detail you might wish, but I have found many to have an inherent agenda, making their academic brevity unsatisfying and often disquieting.

The most recognized analysis of the liturgy is “The Shape of the Liturgy” by Dom Gregory Dix. This is an Anglican book, is about 1000 pages long, and dates from 1945. However, it is readily available (perhaps at your local library, since it is a standard text) and can easily be read by parts. It is terribly thorough/documented, and remarkably balanced in tracing the liturgy “ab ecclesia condita” as it were.

 

[Hudsonite]

Ther is a great book ( i know you are looking for on line info, but…)
it’s called The Mass Explained. I lent it to someone and it has not been returned as of yet. so I’m not sure of the author. A good Catholic book store should be able to set you up.