Book Review
Episcopal News Service. March 14, 1990 [90066E]
Michael W. Merriman, Vice Dean and Precentor, Grace Cathedral, in San Francisco
The Ceremonies of the Eucharist: A Guide to Celebration. By Howard E. Galley.
Cambridge, MA: Cowley Publications 1989. Paper, $14.95.
Clergy and other church people generally assume that the way of celebrating the Eucharist that they first learned or first admired is the only "proper" way of celebration. The result since the publication of the Book of Common Prayer 1979 in many congregations has been the imposition of ceremonial designed for the 1928 Prayer Book and varieties of adaptations from the pre-Vatican II Roman Catholic mass. Far too many people who direct liturgical celebrations have yet to discover that the texts of the 1979 Prayer Book require modifications in ceremonial usage.
Howard E. Galley has set out to remedy this situation. There is no one better able to do this task. Mr. Galley's work as editor of the 1979 Prayer Book gives him a knowledge and understanding of its contents that cannot be equaled. He is revealed in this work to be one of the premier liturgical scholars and teachers in the Anglican Communion.
The Ceremonies of the Eucharist would be of immense help to clergy and others simply for its ceremonial directions, but this work goes far beyond that. Anyone who studies this book will find a wealth of the best in liturgical and sacramental theology as well as deep pastoral insight. No ceremonial is suggested without being given a rationale based on the Book of Common Prayer, sound historical and theological research, and pastoral concern. It is equally useful for small congregations and large, and for intimate Service for a handful of people as well as large congregations with many clergy and lay ministers.
Some may feel that the book's detailed descriptions of the use of incense, how bishops use their pastoral staffs and wear their miters, or the sprinkling of the people with baptismal water indicate that this is an Anglo-Catholic ceremonial. Mr. Galley never indicates that such practices are anything other than optional and, in fact, is setting forth usages that avoid the mystifying and fussy style that has often characterized Anglo-Catholic worship in the past. He is describing a ceremonial that transcends the old labels of "high church" and "low church," providing a liturgical style that is fresh and alive to the needs of the church today.
Some of the most important enrichments of the church's life are underscored by the ceremonial directions of the Book of Common Prayer, and Galley is careful to show how those may be brought out in the Eucharistic celebration. They include the greatly expanded role of the laity as members of the royal priesthood; the centrality of baptism; the equal importance of the Word and Sacrament; the rediscovery of the role of the deacon; the bishop as chief liturgist, preacher, and baptizer; and the liturgy as the work of the entire people of God -- laity, bishop, priests, and deacons.
This book deserves a place in every sacristy and should be owned by all parish clergy, deacons, bishops, and lay people who assist in planning and directing the liturgy. The quality of worship in our congregations would be greatly improved if that were the case.
Michael W. Merriman is a member of the Standing Liturgical Commission.