The well-known children’s story The Secret Garden lends itself to a religious and modern interpretation. Like orphaned children in desperate need of spiritual comfort, many Catholics discovered the traditional Latin Mass thanks to the Covid pandemic. Thirsting for Confession, for Eucharistic adoration, or for Holy Communion administered with reverence, they rejoiced when finding all this and more in traditional worship.
The Sacred Liturgy as a Secret Garden, a short book, offers an analogy between Frances Hodgson Burnett’s pre-WWI tale for children and the revelation experienced in the 2020s by a growing number of adults stepping into the grace-filled haven of the traditional Roman liturgy.
Instead of theological arguments, the book uses fiction and history to help the reader grasp better why the traditional liturgy, architecture and devotions happily answer the needs of souls. Across a few dozen pages, readers young and old, even without theological formation, discover that a place of spiritual nourishment awaits them within the time-proofed traditions of Holy Mother Church. Its small format and accessible approach make The Sacred Liturgy as a Secret Garden an easy introduction for average Catholics, yet non familiar with the traditional liturgy, to discover its riches.
Praise for The Sacred Liturgy as a Secret Garden:
A very clever treatment of the novel The Secret Garden. That well-known children’s story should be read twice—firstly, as any reader would read it just for enjoyment, and then again after reading Fr de Malleray’s fascinating hermeneutic of tradition, because the enjoyment and appreciation would be much greater
Leo Darroch, former President of the International Federation Una Voce
An imaginative essay, whose poetic nature is a timely invitation to rediscover the forgotten riches of the Church’s traditional liturgy.
Fr Simon Henry, BA MA, Director of St Peter’s International College
This essay is intriguing, creative and sufficiently provocative to maintain the reader’s interest. The variety of expression is refreshing. Readers of all ages will enjoy discovering the liturgical treasures that lie hidden in the Secret Garden.
Fr Neil Brett, former head teacher
Order the short book directly on the publisher’s website in Europe and America. Printed in the UK, it will be posted to British readers without custom charges: aroucapress.com/books/sacred-liturgy-garden. Also available on Amazon.
Article first published in Dowry No54, Summer 2022