Some think that liturgy is formal, public, and for ordinary people, while mysticism is uncontrollable, private, and for extraordinary saints. Is there a connection between the two? In this volume, David Fagerberg proposes that mysticism is the normal crowning of the Christian life, and the Christian life is liturgical.

We intuitively sense that liturgy and theology and mysticism have an affinity. Liturgical theology should reveal liturgy’s mystical heart. Liturgical theology asks “What happens in liturgy?” and liturgical mysticism asks “What happens to us in liturgy?”, and perfects our interior liturgy.

In Liturgical Mysticism, Fagerberg directs the reader to look fixedly at Christ, who is the Mystery present in liturgy, and who bestows his resurrection power upon his adopted children.

“In a time where both too wild and too mild spiritualities abound, it is audacious to put forward a book on liturgical mysticism. [This book] continues to enrich liturgical theology by amplifying its horizon and solidifying the foundation on which it rests.”

Joris Geldhof
Katholieke Universiteit Leuven

David W. Fagerberg is Professor in the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. He holds an M.Div. from Luther Northwestern Seminary; an M.A. from St. John’s University, Collegeville; an S.T.M. from Yale Divinity School; and the Ph.D. from Yale University. His work first explored how lex orandi is the foundation for lex credendi (Theologia Prima, 2003). To this he integrated the Orthodox understanding of asceticism as capacitating the liturgical person (On Liturgical Asceticism, 2013). He applied this to our liturgical life in the world (Consecrating the World, 2016) and now to our interior liturgical life (Liturgical Mysticism).

“David Fagerberg is establishing a unique voice. The language and the vivid images he develops are his response to being deeply stunned by the liturgy and all that happens in its celebration.”

Abbot Jeremy Driscoll, O.S.B.
Mount Angel Abbey

“[Fagerberg’s] words move the whole person to desire worship and the life that is given therein, holiness. His prose elicits prayer and wonder and thus silence and contemplation.”

Deacon James Keating
Institute for Priestly Formation
Creighton University
“In Liturgical Mysticism, Fagerberg continues his articulation of how the Mystery is embodied and lived by those who partake in the Church’s sacramental worship, which is itself a participation in the eternal ‘liturgy’ of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”

Msgr. Michael Heintz
Mount St Mary’s Seminary