The Worshiping Body: Chenu, Liturgy and Sacraments

Why is Chenu's scholarship still relevant today? Like his slightly younger confrere Yves Congar, the French Dominican Marie-Dominique Chenu (1895-1990) was an important visionary of Catholic theology in the twentieth century. Long before scholars like Louis-Marie Chauvet, Chenu elaborated on the essential symbolic nature of sacramental mediation, on the operationality of grace through the liturgical celebration of Christ's mysteries, and on the indispensable added value of the humanities for classical sacramental doctrine. In The Worshiping Body, scholars show how Chenu's ideas on sacramental worship is foundational for any contemporary reflection on the dialogue between anthropology and theology.

The basis of this book is formed around five texts on liturgy and sacraments by Chenu, now available in English translation for the first time. The translations of these articles are alongside essays by expert scholars on contextualized themes that surface in Chenu's essays and provide answers for how his contributions are both applicable and inspiring for today's theological endeavors. This scholarship is relevant for liturgists as well as anyone interested in research on Vatican II and post Vatican II theology and Chenu's important contributions to it.