Because of the patriarchal history of the liturgical movement, women today lack a strong sense of liturgical tradition. This sense is a vital and necessary element in the development and celebration of authentic liturgy.

Foundational and constructive in approach, this book offers a basis to develop such a tradition and is the first of its kind to be written from a feminist perspective by a woman trained in and sympathetic to the liturgical tradition.

Marjorie Procter-Smith addresses the benefits of and necessity for dialogue between the liturgical and feminist movements. She then offers a workable agenda for such a dialogue as she explores basic liturgical issues such as language (verbal, physical, and visual), God-talk, preaching and the role of the Bible, and the sacraments. Her discussion stems from two liturgical fundamentals: meaning and imagination in liturgy.

"Marjorie Procter-Smith has written a landmark book in liturgical studies. In Her Own Rite makes a very significant contribution to a critical feminist theology of liberation. No one engaged in theological studies or feminist spirituality can afford to miss it." -Elisabeth Schüssler-Fiorenza, Stendahl Professor of Divinity at Harvard Divinity School

MARJORIE PROCTER-SMITH is Associate Professor of Liturgy and Worship at Perkins School of Theology