Biography

Innocent Smith, op is Assistant Professor of Homiletics at St. Mary’s Seminary & University. His research interests are at the intersection of liturgy and theology, including sacramental theology, homiletics, liturgical manuscripts, ecclesiology, and sacred music. He is a Roman Catholic priest and a member of Province of St. Joseph of the Order of Preachers. He is presently assigned to the Dominican community of Sts. Philip and James in Baltimore, MD.

Smith’s recently completed doctoral dissertation, “Doers of the Word: Bible Missals and the Celebration of the Dominican Liturgy,” focused on medieval bibles which contain liturgical texts for the celebration of the Mass. The liturgical selections contained in bible missals give precious insight into both the development of the celebration of the liturgy as well as the processes of customization and design of medieval bibles. Bible missals present a fascinating example of the interpenetration of memory and enactment, enabling the celebration of the mysteries articulated in the biblical text.