The sacraments are at the heart of our life as Catholics, the way we celebrate together our continuing conversion and encounter with God. Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Anointing, Marriage, and Holy Orders 'al are activities that require preparation to bring us to the fullness of our life in community and in Christ. Chapter by chapter, Father Lawrence Mick puts these core experiences into their historical and theological context, and illuminates the ways the sacraments bring us together as God's people. Ever conscious of the complex history of the church and its dynamic relationship to ritual, as well as the varied histories of human communities, "Understanding the Sacraments Today" is a book to be visited and revisited, a companion to the ongoing and repeated practices that nourish us.

"Lawrence E. Mick, a priest in the Archdiocese of Cincinnati, is a liturgical consultant and writer whose numerous books include "Living Baptism Daly," published by Liturgical Press. He has also been active in parish, retreat, and campus ministries."

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

This book is the House of Faith Theological Seminarian guide to the sacraments and duties performed my minister's of the gospel. The House of Faith Church is a Bible believing, Christ centered community of believers, and as such, this book was designed around the Holy Word of God and it's instruction.

This easy-to-read book reveals the What, Why and How of the Traditional Latin Mass - which Pope Benedict XVI has now called the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite. Catholics of all ages will find that the Mass - and the entire Catholic Faith - has been opened up to them by The Latin Mass Explained. Section One gives an excellent explanation of the nature of Sacrifice, the Old Testament Law, the Sacrifice of the Cross, the Sacrifice of the Mass and the relationship between the Cross and Mass. Section Two thoroughly describes the visible and audible aspects of the Mass. Explains the use of Latin, the position of the Altar in relation to the people, the vestments, the sacred vessels and more. Section Three is a step-by-step explanation of the historicity, symbolism and meaning of every action and prayer contained in the Latin Mass. This section is invaluable to any who would understand this august form of Divine Worship.

This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the original. Due to its age, it may contain imperfections such as marks, notations, marginalia and flawed pages. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions that are true to the original work.

1888. Pigou is widely and favorably known as a missioner, and has held missions not only throughout England, but also in the United States, which he visited in 1885. Contents: Plan of Lecture or of Instruction; Sermon on Conversion; Address on: Consecration; Renunciation; Faith; Obedience; Means of Grace: Prayer; Means of Grace: The Word of God; Public Worship; Holy Communion; Eve of Confirmation; Address Delivered on the Evening of Confirmation Day; Hints for Confirmation Day; Hints in Connection with First Communion; Short Address to the Newly-Confirmed on the Occasion of their First Communion at the Early Celebration; Short Address Delivered to the Newly-Confirmed at their First Communion; Address to the Newly-Confirmed, Delivered on the Occasion of the First Communion; List of Candidates; Attendances; Confirmation Forms; Rules for a Communicant's Union; Plain Aids for Confirmation Candidates; Hymns and Tunes Suitable to Confirmation; and Books Recommended for the Study of the Bible.

A bold new elegant invitation to enter into the mysteries of the Christian faith. This graceful book explains to Catholics and non-Catholics alike the mystical heart of the Catholic faith: the Seven Sacraments.

Existing books on Christian ritual and the sacraments tend to presuppose a good acquaintance with Roman Catholic thought and practice. Today, however, even at Catholic institutions students tend to lack even a basic knowledge of Christian ritual. Moreover, for many modern people the word "ritual" carries negative connotations of rigidity and boredom. In this accessibly-written book two noted authors offer an engaging introduction to this important topic. Their goal is first to demonstrate that celebration, ritual and symbol are already central to the readers' lives, even though most do not see their actions as symbolic or ritualistic. Once this point has been made, the book connects central Christian symbols to the symbols and rituals already present in the readers' lives. The Christian theology of symbol, ritual, and sacrament is thus placed in the context of everyday life. The authors go on to discuss such questions as how rituals establish and maintain power relationships, how "official" rituals are different from other "popular" Christian rituals and devotions, and how Christian rituals function in the process of human "salvation." Their lively yet solidly grounded work will appeal to intelligent lay readers and discussion groups, as well as being useful for courses in ritual and the sacraments at the undergraduate and seminary level.

2006 Catholic Press Association Award Winner! The ritual Pastoral Care of the Sick offers the church a wealth of assistance in visiting and praying with the sick, in facilitating services of Communion, and in tailoring the sacramental rites of anointing and Viaticum to meet the particular circumstances of each individual illness and journey into death. Anointing of the Sick is a theological introduction to the rite and focuses on the whole spectrum of pastoral care of the sick. Lizette Larson-Miller explores the sacrament of the anointing of the sick and the crucial role played by a biblical text from the Letter of James in reconstructing a rite for the sick rather than only for the dying. She looks at the central sacramental ideas surrounding the anointing of the sick that emerge from the three primary actions: the prayer of faith, the laying on of hands, and the anointing with the blessed oil. Chapters are An Overview of the Rites of Pastoral Care of the Sick, The Threefold Ritual Center of Anointing of the Sick, Theological Questions from the Rite, and The Contexts of Church and Culture for Pastoral Care of the Sick. Lizette Larson-Miller, PhD, is a Professor at The Church Divinity School of the Pacific in Berkeley, California.

An all-encompassing account of Christian attitudes and sources of attitudes to marriage, traced through Near Eastern, Classical and Biblical histories, suitable for the student or lay trainer wishing to know more than an Alpha course. It covers all aspects of marriage- including the on going debate surrounding same sex unions. Peter Coleman, was the author of 'Christian attitudes to Homosexuality', 'A christian attitude towards televsion', and 'experiments with prayer'. Following his tragic death in 2001, when this work was left incomplete, 'Christian attitudes to marriage', is brought to us by the hard work of his family and close friends, particularly Dr Michael Langfor

The Holy Scriptures are fundamental for Christianity, providing the basis for faith and morality. They are supremely important because they contain divine revelation. Christians speak of them as the "Word of God." In this study Paul Helm, an experienced philosopher, brings his expertise to bear on such expressions as "infallible," "Word of God," and "propositional revelation," which are in common usage in contemporary Christianity. His aim is to help Christians know what they are claiming when they use these a similar words and phrases. He has performed an indispensable task for all who take the Bible seriously. Paul Helm is J.I. Packer Professor in Theology and Philosophy at Regent College in Vancouver, British Columbia. Formerly he was Professor of the History and Philosophy of Religion at King's College. He has also served as President of the British Society for the Philosophy of Religion. He the author of many books, including The Providence of God, Calvin and the Calvinists, and Eternal God.

This guide to the Christian faith is ideal for those preparing for confirmation. Arranged in three parts: "Becoming a Christian", "Belonging to God" and "Belonging to the Church", it is appropriate for personal reading and as a basis for a confirmation course. In uncomplicated language it takes the reader from the first step of making a choice for God and lays a solid foundation of teaching that will hold good for the whole of life.

Eucharistic adoration is part of Catholic tradition. In many parts of the world, perpetual adoration is flourishing as never before. Presented here for any who respect the Blessed Sacrament, the reflections found in "Eucharistic Contemplation" provide a distinct style for prayer and veneration.

"Eucharistic Contemplation" is not another book of eucharistic devotions" as has been the style for the past few centuries. The prayers are not directed to Jesus in the Sacrament of the Altar, full of sentiments, feelings, petitions, thanksgiving, praise, or reparation. Rather, these 32 reflections focus on contemplation as a simple, straightforward, and honest prayer. Every short reading leads to moments of silent contemplation. They are meant to serve principally for moments of prayer, yet define the meaning of what contemplation, and specifically eucharistic contemplation, are to people of faith praying before the Blessed sacrament.

Prepared and delivered in the parish of San Francisco de Borja, in Lima, Peru, these reflections on the Eucharist use actual prayers from the Church's sacramentary and rites. Each reflection follows the process of Eucharistic contemplation. The first reading should be studied slowly to have a basic understanding of the text. Then, the reader is invited to search out the various scriptural background references, especially from the Old Testament. A re-reading of the text, with pauses, and time for deep silence concludes the meditation.

Chapters are *The Mystery of the Love of God, - *Eucharistic Contemplation, - *Mystery/Memorial of Christ, - *United in Blood with One Past, - *The Blood of Christ, - *The Seven Offerings of the Blood of Christ, - *Bread as Living Remembrance, - *Proclaim the Mystery of Faith, - *O Holy Banquet, - *Blood of the Covenant, - *'Remove the Sandals From Your Feet, For the Place on Which You Are Standing is Holy Ground, '- *'I AM WHO I AM, '- *The Meeting Tent, - *'And He Lived Among Us, '- *The Wedding of Cana, - *Bread in the Wilderness, - *The Ark of the Covenant, - *Christ, the Propitiation For Our Sins, - *Christ, the One and Only Sacrifice, - *Advent, - *The Beginning and the End, - *'Let Us Go Up to the House of the Lord, '- *Zen Meditation and the Eucharist, - *Pope John Paul II in the Cenacle of Jerusalem, - *Grace, the Fullness of the Christian Life, - *The Eucharist Where There Is No Eucharist, - *Bread For the Journey, - *The Eucharist and the Servant of the Lord, - *The Eucharist and the Lord of Miracles, - *Mary and Martha, - *Mary and the Eucharist, - *The Eucharist and Prayers of Petition. -

"Ernest Rally, CPPS, PhD, is the administrator of two parish schools at San Francisco deBorja parish in Lima, Peru.""

Author Philip Reynolds examines how marriage acquired a specifically Christian identity in the Latin West during the first millennium after Christ. Beginning with Jesus, everything the Christians did, including getting married, began a process of differentiation. Christians did not invent marriage, but they did redefine it, thereby hoping to solve the inherent problem of reconciling secular, carnal sexual relations with a holy and sanctified state of being, one that would ultimately become a sacrament. This twofold aspect of the Christian marriage was a formative principle throughout the Middle Ages and beyond. Reynolds offers three themes for theological reflection and interpretation: Jesus' teaching, Paul's Letter to the Ephesians, and Paul's justification of marriage as a solution to the problem of sexual desire. This book begins with the examination of Roman and Germanic law, followed by the turning from civil to ecclesiastical law. Then Reynolds presents Augustine's theology of marriage, and finally, the nuptial process. Reynolds' insights into the Christainization of marriage makes this a valuable book at both the scholarly and the practical level.
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The authors provide an overview of Reformed faith and spirituality, revealing how it constantly merges tradition with the ever-changing culture of the church community. Outlining the history, theology and rationale of the faith in detail, the book also includes practical discussions of the Church sacraments and ordinances, providing helpful suggestions and resources for their renewed relevance in services today. The book is a useful resource for all who are seriously seeking to understand the Reformed heritage and its value for present-day worship.

The sacraments were a major factor in the Reformation of the sixteenth century. Ever since, they have been an important part of Protestant church life. Major changes have occurred in our time as most traditions have revised their sacramental rites and experienced many changes in sacramental practices. This book traces the most significant practices in the past five centuries, explains how they often led to controversies, and examines the faith that was expressed and experienced in the sacraments. James F. White attempts to depict the whole sweep of Protestant sacramental life, so that an overall picture is possible. And he outlines the possibilities for future developments.

Deeply rooted in the traditions of the church, Charles Taylor brings both the resources of faith and the skills of contemporary psychology to bear in the crucial arena of premarital guidance. Taylor also provides helpful guidelines for churches in establishing congregational policies for both premarital counseling and the design of the wedding service itself. An ideal resource for clergy, premarital counselors, and congregational wedding committees, Premarital Guidance provides the theological and practical knowledge and skills necessary for guiding those seeking marriage in the church.

Sidney Batts encourages ministers to work with engaged couples to create unique, individual services that will be meaningful to the pair on their wedding day. The couple is able to give a personal touch to their ceremony by having many options from which to choose. The end result of the minister's and couple's efforts is a service that retains what is best of traditional form and language, but does not include unnecessarily archaic or sexist terms.

A Guide For Godparents is an aid for pastors who deal with ministering to a parade in our constantly moving parish populations. Often godparents arrive from out of town or state. The parents themselves move more often today than ever before in our society.With this book you will cover the theological basics of baptism and the spiritual life in a way that is simple and friendly without being simplistic or condescending.The spiritual basis of the book is suited to the busy couples that the church sees coming for their spiritual nurture and the baptism of their children. The content of this book will not scare off these couples -- parents and godparents -- returning to their church.Peter C. Garrison is pastor of Good Shepherd Lutheran Church in Burlingame, California. His previously published CSS books are Pastoral Pitfalls and Witnesses To The Cross.

In this complete version of his Homiletics, seminal theologian Karl Barth offers his thoughts on sermon writing, including his understanding of the way in which the preacher should interpret scripture. More than any other 20th-century thinker, Barth linked theology and preaching, proposing that thcology should be 'nothing other than sermon preparation'. To follow his advice on preaching, therefore, is to enter his theological world.

The Mystery of Faith explores the essentials of Christian belief and the ancient spiritual practices that enable us to live and flourish in the light of God's grace. It is written for those who are new to the Christian faith, are curious about it, want to understand their faith better or make more meaningful connections between faith and life. Using the structure of the Apostles Creed it offers clear explanations of core beliefs through the God we encounter in creation, in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and in the Spirit who makes God known in our world and in our lives today. John-Francis Friendship draws on the riches of the Christian tradition and his own experience of Religious life to introduce practices that guide our daily living as God's people: prayer, scripture, the sacraments, worship, the company of saints. Throughout, questions for reflection and discussion make this an ideal resource for faith formation for individual and groups.