The first is The Mass: A Study of the Roman Liturgy by Fr. Adrian Fortescue. This book has been in print for awhile of course, but what makes this reprint stand out is that it is an attractive hardcover reprint, complete with a very nice dustjacket as well. While that might seem like a small deal to some, for others it represents a welcome development. Hardcovers tend to last longer than softcovers, standing up to the test of time.
Fortescue's work on the Roman liturgy is, of course, one of the standard historical treatments on the development of the Roman liturgy and therefore belongs on the shelf of everyone who is interested in that topic. The 428 page work is available for the very reasonable price of $32.00 USD. It is well worth the price -- which is quite reasonable.
In addition to this work, I was also sent A Dictionary
of the Psalter by Fr. Matthew Britt, OSB (author of The Hymns of the Breviary and Missal)
The nature of this particular title is perhaps explained better by the subtitle than by the title:
"Containing the Vocabulary of the Psalms, Hymns, Canticles, and Miscellaneous Prayers of the Breviary Psalter"
The author introduces the purpose of the text accordingly:
"The purpose of this text is to give meaning, or the various meanings, of the 2700 words that make up the vocabulary of the psalms, hymns, canticles, and miscellaneous prayers of the Breviary psalter... it concerns itself primarily with the Vulgate text..." (See a sample page)
The book is bound in a very nice green hardcover. If there were any word of critique, it would be that the interior text plates are a bit light, but still nonetheless perfectly legible.
The book is priced at $30.00 USD.
Thanks go out to the publisher for sending me these. They are both welcome additions to my library.
