The Constitution of Sacred Liturgy is widely regarded as the most significant among the sixteen documents produced by the Second Vatican Council. The constitution has radically redefined the methods and meanings of Catholic worship, including a shift from rote enactment of rituals, to the laity as a spiritual community. Transforming Catholicism offers the first social scientific analysis of these liturgical changes in worship and their implementations in local situations. Guided by a consistent theory of policy implementation, Michael J. McCallion and David R. Maines examine the growing emphasis placed on biblical interpretations of sacred meanings, interpretative homilies, and the production of mass in local languages. This book incorporates first-hand empirical data in studying the influence of professional liturgists on parish worship practices and the subsequent symbolic interactionist theories. Transforming Catholicism is a sophisticated and engaging read that will captivate seminary professors and those interested in policy analysis.

"The book...offer[s] some insights into the dynamics involved that can be helpful." - American Catholic Studies, December 2008

"Transforming Catholicism is theory informed, analytically sophisticated, and empirically rich....Scholars interested in organizational behavior, ritual studies, religious history...will find Transforming Catholicism revealing." - Journal for the Scientific Study of Religion, September 2008