What is Liturgical Spirituality?

Spirituality is a way of seeing life and living it. One of many ways to see life and live it is seeing and living that is rooted in liturgy, the Mass, sacraments, and Church Year. Liturgical spirituality is based on our identity as the Body of Christ and living according to the rhythm of the paschal mystery of dying and rising.

By “paschal mystery” we mean the entire mystery of Jesus Christ—that is, his life, passion, death, resurrection, ascension, sending of the Spirit, and promised Second coming. We also mean our participation in this mystery, because we are Christ’s Body, the Church. Liturgy acts in the here and now and sends us forth to live the life of Christ. Liturgical spirituality is much more than an hour of worship. It’s living the life of Christ day by day in multiple dyings and risings in union with Christ’s death and resurrection. It’s offering ourselves to God along with Jesus Christ’s perpetual self-offering to the Father.

In Advent we live liturgical spirituality when we don’t wait for a day but for a Person, Jesus Christ who reigns in glory. We await not just his entry into the world in Bethlehem, but his Second Coming at the end of time. The Church has chosen royal purple to mark the season, for it’s the color of sovereignty. Let’s await Christ our sovereign to come with power and glory.