Liturgy and Personality

In 'Liturgy and Personality,' Dietrich von Hildebrand explores how the Catholic liturgy, when approached with reverence and self-forgetfulness, has a transformative effect on participants by ordering their affections and attention toward God. The book argues that the primary purpose of the liturgy is to glorify God, but as a derivative effect, it shapes and purifies the personality, fostering spiritual growth and a proper hierarchy of values.

Hildebrand highlights the importance of humility and the avoidance of self-centeredness in liturgical participation, showing that true transformation occurs when one forgets oneself and focuses entirely on God. The work is considered a precursor to the 20th-century Liturgical Movement and is praised for awakening readers to the beauty and personal significance of the Mass.