Johan van Parys is the author of Symbols That Surround Us, is a native of Belgium, and has been Director of Liturgy and the Sacred Arts at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis since 1995. Since 1997 he has been managing editor for the award-winning Basilica Magazine. He is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgists and Societas Liturgica.

“Johan van Parys uses an engaging and simple question-and-answer format to teach basic liturgical theology and provide historical background for the art and architecture, rituals and symbols, prayers and practices of the Catholic Church. This book demonstrates that Catholic liturgy was never unchanging, but has always been shaped by particular historical eras with their varied spiritualties and cultures. The author’s personal memories will help readers to experience vicariously some of the liturgical rituals with which they may not be familiar.”            Delores Dufner, a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, is a widely published author of liturgical hymn texts

Johan van Parys is the author of Symbols That Surround Us, is a native of Belgium, and has been Director of Liturgy and the Sacred Arts at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis since 1995. Since 1997 he has been managing editor for the award-winning Basilica Magazine. He is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgists and Societas Liturgica.

“Johan van Parys uses an engaging and simple question-and-answer format to teach basic liturgical theology and provide historical background for the art and architecture, rituals and symbols, prayers and practices of the Catholic Church. This book demonstrates that Catholic liturgy was never unchanging, but has always been shaped by particular historical eras with their varied spiritualties and cultures. The author’s personal memories will help readers to experience vicariously some of the liturgical rituals with which they may not be familiar.”            Delores Dufner, a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, is a widely published author of liturgical hymn texts

Johan van Parys is the author of Symbols That Surround Us, is a native of Belgium, and has been Director of Liturgy and the Sacred Arts at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis since 1995. Since 1997 he has been managing editor for the award-winning Basilica Magazine. He is a member of the North American Academy of Liturgists and Societas Liturgica.

“Johan van Parys uses an engaging and simple question-and-answer format to teach basic liturgical theology and provide historical background for the art and architecture, rituals and symbols, prayers and practices of the Catholic Church. This book demonstrates that Catholic liturgy was never unchanging, but has always been shaped by particular historical eras with their varied spiritualties and cultures. The author’s personal memories will help readers to experience vicariously some of the liturgical rituals with which they may not be familiar.”            Delores Dufner, a member of St. Benedict’s Monastery in St. Joseph, MN, is a widely published author of liturgical hymn texts