Welcome back to The Tamnation Gilsey Podcast, where we float upon the detritus of modern culture—sometimes literally, sometimes just in spirit. I’m James Mitchell, and today we’re diving into something that’s been quietly reshaping the spiritual landscape for over a century: the resurgence of sacred rituals, or what’s often called the Liturgical Movement. Now, if you’ve been following our recent episodes—like when we explored the revival of lost skills or the way vintage tech is making a comeback—you’ll notice a pattern. There’s this hunger for roots, for something deeper and more enduring than the latest trend. And the Liturgical Movement is a perfect example of that, but in the context of worship.So, let’s rewind to the 19th century. The Liturgical Movement actually got its start among Benedictine monks in France, Belgium, and Germany. These weren’t just cloistered scholars—they were innovators in their own right, looking for ways to make worship more meaningful for everyone, not just the clergy. Their big idea? Active participation. They wanted people in the pews to actually engage with the liturgy, not just sit back and watch. And, you know, that might sound obvious now, but back then, it was pretty radical.I remember reporting from Taizé, France, years ago—one of those moments that sticks with you. There were these youth pilgrimages, and I watched as young people from all over the world gathered to sing ancient chants. It was haunting, honestly. You could feel this connection across centuries, like the walls between past and present just sort of melted away. That’s the kind of thing these early Benedictines were after: a worship that’s alive, intelligent, and participatory.And as the movement spread—first to places like Holland, Italy, England, and eventually the U.S.—it kept that core aim: make worship something people do, not just something they watch. It’s a thread that runs through so much of what we’ve talked about on this show, whether it’s reviving old crafts or rediscovering the value of hands-on work. There’s this longing to be part of something bigger, something with history and meaning.Now, let’s fast-forward a bit to the 1960s—specifically, the Second Vatican Council. If you’re not familiar, Vatican II was this massive event in the Catholic Church, and it really put the Liturgical Movement on the map. Suddenly, you had official backing for things like using the local language in Mass, encouraging everyone to participate, and updating all the sacramental rites. The new lectionary came out in 1969, and the Roman Missal followed in 1970. It was a seismic shift.But it wasn’t just a Catholic thing. Protestant churches were watching, and they started making changes too. The United Presbyterian Church rolled out “The Worshipbook” in 1970, and the Episcopal Church updated its “Book of Common Prayer” in 1979. These weren’t just cosmetic tweaks—they were about making worship relevant, accessible, and, well, less like reading Shakespeare in a dimly lit room. Not that there’s anything wrong with Shakespeare, but you get what I mean.So, why did all these churches feel the need to update their liturgies in the 20th century? I think, at its core, it was about reconnecting with people. The world was changing fast—think about everything from civil rights to the moon landing—and churches realized they couldn’t just keep doing things the way they always had. They needed to speak to the present moment, to invite people in rather than hold them at arm’s length. And, honestly, that’s a theme we keep bumping into on this podcast: the tension between tradition and relevance, between preserving the old and embracing the new.I might be oversimplifying a bit—there were plenty of debates, and not everyone was thrilled with the changes. But the overall trend was clear: worship was becoming something to be experienced, not just observed. And that shift has had ripple effects across denominations, cultures, and even generations.So, where does that leave us today? Well, in the 1980s, you get this thing called the Convergence Movement. Robert E. Webber was a big name here—he basically said, “Why not blend the best of evangelical, charismatic, and liturgical traditions?” And, surprisingly, a lot of people agreed. Churches started borrowing from each other, mixing ancient prayers with modern music, and using resources like the Anglican “Book of Common Prayer” alongside elements from Lutheran, Orthodox, and Catholic liturgies. It’s kind of like a spiritual remix, if you will.What’s really interesting, though, is how younger generations are getting drawn into all this. There’s a renewed fascination with traditional practices—take the Latin Mass, for example. I read about a parish in Chicago that revived the old Tridentine Mass, and it’s not just older folks showing up. You’ve got young families, college students, people from all sorts of backgrounds, all looking for something that feels mysterious, rooted, and, I guess, a little countercultural.And it’s not just about nostalgia. There’s this desire for holistic spirituality—something that engages your mind, your senses, your whole being. People want a sense of awe, a connection to history, and a faith that stands out in a world that’s, well, kind of chaotic. The Latin Mass, with its solemnity and ritual, offers that. It’s a way to tap into something bigger than yourself, to feel part of a story that stretches back centuries.I think what we’re seeing—whether it’s in worship, in crafts, or even in the way we approach technology—is this ongoing search for meaning, for depth, for something that lasts. The resurgence of sacred rituals isn’t just about looking backward; it’s about finding ways to be fully present, to participate, and to belong. And that’s a theme I suspect we’ll keep coming back to, episode after episode. Thanks for listening, and I’ll see you next time on The Tamnation Gilsey Podcast.

Episodes

Resurgence of Sacred Rituals