Includes bibliographical references.

In 1991, The Filipino Catholic Church, through the Second Plenary Council of the Philippines (PCP II), has embarked on what the local conference of Philippine bishops calls a "Renewed Integral Evangelization." Aimed to respond to the spiritual hunger of many young Filipino Catholics in particular, this integrated spirituality, the Council exhorts, must be rooted in prayer and liturgy.

Prayer and worship, however, may lead to a more personally appropriated understanding of the faith only when the language, images, and symbols of both liturgical instruction and celebration can engage Filipino human imagination to form basic interior attitudes and affections, predisposing us toward genuine worship of God and service of neighbor.

In this well-researched but highly readable book, Dr. Asis translates some of the up-to-date, critical scholarship in liturgical and sacramental theology into more practical, relevant and pastoral pedagogical principles and methods that can address a wider, non-specialized readership. He takes up current theological scholarship and pushes it a step further by creating a teaching paradigm that can help modify the mindset and misunderstandings of many Catholic Filipinos regarding the place and meaning of the sacraments in their lives - all in view of a more informed, vibrant, communal, inculturated, and ethically-oriented liturgical life in the Philippines.

Christ himself always taught that the sacred rituals we perform should not degenerate into empty displays of piety (Mt. 6:1-18), but should form in us virtues that make them genuine expressions of faith in daily life. This is one way we can truly understand the Church when it teaches that, since the sacraments are saving symbolic acts, these rituals can truly make present the sacred realities they signify. And as long as our sacramental worship genuinely inspires, sustains, and symbolizes true Christian discipleship, then the liturgy almost certainly becomes not only the formative ground of Christian character, but truly the source and summit of all Christian life and action (SC 10).

This book can assist in effective teacher formation in religious education (religious educators, religion teachers, catechists, pastors, liturgists and liturgical coordinators) in institutes of various levels (parish, grade school, high school, college, religious communities and formation houses). Graduate students involved in liturgical research and seminary students, pastors, parish workers preparing for pastoral work in liturgical ministry may also find this book a helpful resource.

(From the back cover)