Introduction to Sacramental Theology presents a complete overview of sacramental theology from the viewpoint of the body. This viewpoint is supported, in the first place, by Revelation, for which the sacraments are the place where we enter into contact with the body of the risen Jesus. It is a viewpoint, secondly, which is firmly rooted in our concrete human bodily experience, thus allowing for a strong connection between faith and life, creation and redemption. From this point of view, the treatise on the sacraments occupies a strategic role. For the sacraments appear, not as the last of a series of topics (after dealing with Creation, Christ, the Church), but as the original place in which to stand in order to contemplate the entire Christian mystery. This point of view of the body, which resonates with contemporary philosophy, sheds fruitful light on classical themes, such as the relationship of the sacraments with creation, the composition of the sacramental sign, the efficacy of the sacraments, the sacramental character, the role of the minister, or the relationship of the sacrament with the Church as a sacrament. As a result of this approach, the Eucharist takes on a central role, since this is the sacrament where the body of Jesus is made present. The rest of the sacraments are seen as prolongations of the eucharistic body, so as to fill all the time and space of the faithful. This foundation of the theology of the sacraments in eucharistic theology is supported by an analysis of the patristic and medieval tradition. In order to support its conclusions, Introduction to Sacramental Theology examines the doctrine of Scripture (especially St. John and St. Paul), the main patristic and medieval authors (St. Augustine, Hugh of St. Victor, St. Bonaventure, St. Thomas Aquinas...), the response of Trent to the protestant challenges, up to modern authors such as Scheeben, Rahner, Ratzinger, or Chauvet, including the teaching of Vatican II about the Church as a kind of sacrament.

A thoughtful, accessible work on the beauty of love and the splendor of the body, inspired by Pope John Paul II.
Christianity has long been regarded as viewing the body as a threat to a person's spiritual nature and of denying its sexual dimension. In 1979, Pope John Paul II departed from this traditional dichotomy and offered an integrated vision of the human body and soul. In a series of talks that came to be known as "the theology of the body," he explained the divine meaning of human sexuality and why the body provides answers to fundamental questions about our lives.
In "Called to Love," Carl Anderson, chairman of the world's largest catholic service organization, and Fr. Jose Granados discuss the philosophical and religious significance of "the theology of the body" in language at once poetic and profound. As they explain, the body speaks of God, it reveals His goodness, and it also speaks of men and women and their vocation to love. "Called to Love "brings to life the tremendous gift John Paul II bestowed on humanity and gives readers a new understanding of the Christian way of love and how to embrace it fully in their lives.

THE FIFTH CANDLE OF ADVENT. Meditations for each day This book offers a meditation for each day of the Advent guiding us in our journey toward Christmas. The Advent Wreath has four candles that we light as Christmas approaches... They remind us that it is time to put before God the shadows that inhabit our life: a project full of uncertainties, the bumps we are hitting in our relationship, a disease... But on the horizon of Advent the hope of a fifth candle remains, the only one capable of lighting our night. This candle must be lit by God. The great mystery of Advent is not our path, but the path of God towards us, a God that comes. He is always coming to meet us... In Advent we prepare to recognize the light of that candle which will shine on the night of Christmas. Its brilliance will fill us with wonder because of its smallness. These meditations are meant to be a path of hope and to help us recognize the light of that fifth candle as we keep our eyes opened to receive it.

This volume was written by a group of eminent Catholics, including Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger - now Pope Benedict XVI. In these erudite essays the authors contend that historical-critical interpretation of Scripture has long since run its course in both Protestant and Catholic exegesis. Instead, they argue, the future of interpretation lies in accepting that the Bible is not just a collection of historical documents but also a record of revelation conceived in faith. By this token, true exegesis involves the faith and humility of the exegete.

Contributors: Paul Beauchamp
Bruna Costacurta
Ignace De la Potterie
Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
Klemens Stock
Albert Cardinal Vanhoye