The Society of the Incarnate Word

During the early-to-mid-twentieth century, a number of different Lutheran liturgical groups appeared, blossomed, and passed away. The most well-known of these groups was and remains the Liturgical Society of St. James, but there were a number of smaller, less well-known groups as well, such as the Society of St. Ambrose, and the Society of the Incarnate Word.

The Society of the Incarnate Word was always a relatively small organization, particularly when compared to the Society of St. James and the Valparaiso Institute of Liturgical Studies. It nevertheless gained a certain level of popularity among young pastors and seminarians within the LCMS. Its members were expected to follow a daily rule and observe certain monastic-style practices, such as fasting, Scriptural meditation, and praying the Divine Office (Matins and Vespers).

In 1960, the Society's former Superior gave the rational for the choice of name: "our concern [was] that sacramental life be emphasized; since apart from the activity of the Incarnate Word in the Gospel and the sacraments, Christians are not nourished nor are men brought to faith in Christ."

The Society's stated goal was "to work for a fuller sacramental life in the Church, and for the return of the Holy Eucharist to the central point of the worship life in the Church, and to make known, preserve and promote a full, liturgical, devotional and cultural life in our Church, guided by the heritage and standards of sixteenth-century Lutheran practice."

Beginning in 1959, the Society began publishing a series of tracts, eventually publishing a total of thirty different tracts:

The Royal Priesthood
Holy Absolution: A Voice from Heaven
The Sign of the Cross
The Weekly Celebration of the Holy Eucharist
Are You a Catholic?
What Is a Parent?
Holy Baptism
Private Confession and Absolution
What Is this Church Year?
The Holy Name of Jesus
Pray for the Dead?
"I Will Go unto the Altar of God"
How Often Should I Receive the Sacrament?
The Virgin Mary
The Incarnation
One Cup
Whosoever Shall Eat and Drink Unworthily
The Sacred Ministry
What Is the Augsburg Confession?
What Is a Sacrament?
Holy Confirmation
Holy Marriage
First Communion
The Offertory
What Shall I Call Him?
Interracial Marriage
Sex
From One—Every Nation
Love and Hate
The Table Prayers of Blessed Martin Luther

Most of these tracts are available online in a re-typeset and in some cases slightly modified form here.