The co-authors are a systematic theologian and sociologist, respectively, both with strong convictions for the power of lived Christianity as expressed by ordinary people in the Global South, particularly in their native Philippines.

The sociological content offers a strong engagement with contemporary social theory and the sociology of religion, particularly as expressed in North America but peppered with scholarship from around the world. The theological themes echo contemporary ecclesiological questions, including basic ecclesial communities, popular Catholicism, everyday spirituality, and synodality. The limitations of contemporary magisterial treatments of popular religion, including the Directory on Popular Piety and the Liturgy, is framed within a liberationist, public theological perspective. The key theological concept is that of sensus fidei, related in turn to the sociological concept of lived religion.

Essentially, the authors are arguing for the utility of practical theology, though they do not mention the term, opting instead for “pastoral sociology” and “public theology.” Their approach would surely benefit from a deeper exploration of the practical theological literature. In general, it is surprising what is included or what is not, and the space given to some topics and not others, but that is ultimately part of the delight of this book. It offers another set of eyes for approaching a sociology of contemporary Christianity, above all Catholicism, as lived at the grassroots.

One has a sense that the authors are focusing on topics of particular interest to them, or what they know especially well, and they present that material well. Portions read as if they were prepared some time ago and now being brought into dialogue with contemporary topics in Catholic life today. Much of the cited literature was published some time ago, and much important current literature is not cited. Nonetheless, this does not detract from the strengths of the work. One simply hopes that their future work will go further in these directions, building on the strengths of the authors.

They would also benefit from a deeper consideration of the wide range of studies on popular religious expression. At times, they seem to present exceptions as more typical than they are, particularly when they describe elements with which they might not be as familiar, such as evangelical Christianity. Given the location of the authors within the Philippines, the focus on popular devotions such as the Black Nazarene is most appropriate and will be quite helpful for Catholic readers from outside the Philippines. Their location within the Philippines is a great strength given that this country has the third largest Catholic population of any country in the world and contains an intersection of elements and understandings from the Anglosphere, Latin America, and Asia (especially Southeast and East Asia) in particularly compelling ways. Manila is a major global central node in Christian theological thought and teaching, not simply within Catholicism but for Christianity in general. All this makes the authors’ voice, and this text, that much more important.

The authors begin and end with a focus on contemporary Catholicism, including the implications of the Francis papacy. They build on Francis’s comment that those in ministry should have the “smell of the sheep.” Their connection between these aspects leads to a fine discussion of synodality in today’s Catholic Church.

These authors are well-published and justly well-regarded. The design of the chapters is smart and works very well. Theological and sociological voices are well-integrated. The co-authors have clearly benefitted greatly from their collaboration and the quality of writing is high. Future work will surely bring more in-depth treatment of developments within social theory of religion, teología del pueblo, and practical theology in general within an overall discussion of public theology and popular religion.

Recommended for educated adult readers interested in the intersection between theology and sociology in the Global South. The accessible writing style makes this a helpful text for undergraduates as well as graduate students.