Latinx Contributions to Liturgical and Sacramental Theology

Abstract

This chapter explores three of the most significant Latinx contributions to liturgical and sacramental theology and suggests future trajectories for Latinx reflection on liturgy and sacrament. First, it shows that while liturgical theology has often focused on the ecclesial rites canonized by denominational bodies, Latinx liturgical and sacramental reflection has tended to approach liturgy as an expression of popular Christianity to embrace a more capacious understanding of what and whose practices count as liturgical and sacramental. Second, it explores the diverse ways in which Latinx theologians have used the lens of fiesta as a way to articulate the particularity of Latinx worship sensibilities. Third, it explores the distinctive contribution of Protestant—and especially Pentecostal—scholars to reflection on the music of Latinx worship as a privileged source of theology. The chapter concludes by exploring some of the challenges of reflecting on liturgy and sacrament latinamente and how Latinx theologians might continue to take seriously the fullness of the worship of the Latinx church through an ever-deepening attention to specificity and difference.