Sacraments and Justice - by Doris K Donnelly (Paperback)

About the Book

Sacraments and Justice offers a fresh approach to the seven sacraments in the Roman Catholic tradition. The authors assembled here, each of them highly regarded sacramental and liturgical theologians, synthesize the best creative thinking in the theology of sacraments, their symbols, their link with justiceGods order for the world here and nowand their power to permeate another reality so intensely that something new happens. Educated Catholics, or Catholics looking for a first-rate education on the sacraments, as well as parish teams, study groups, and Catholic educators, will cheer this volume as solid and incisive, while at the same time accessible and engaging. Each contributor is an academic who writes with a human touch about the gracious promise embedded in sacraments.

Book Synopsis

Sacraments speak a language and disclose their power through symbols. Beyond 'representing' another reality, sacramental symbols are intimately connected with the reality they express and sources of joy, solace, confrontation, peace, healing, strength, and life-giving sustenance to the initiated.In its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, the Council the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) urged that sacramental symbols be more transparent to their sacred reality to disclose the reality of the Christ event --the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ--so that mystery, and not confusion, could flourish.The seven sacraments - Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist, Penance, Marriage, Orders and the Anointing of the Sick - reveal a link to social justice. The contributors to this book are theologians with pastoral sensitivities--including marrieds, parents, pastors and priests. This present work the social implications of worship, the history of each sacrament, and but also an integrated understanding of the transformation that is inextricably linked to each sacrament, as well as the active presence of Christ who lives in expectation of our response to participate in the urgent response to unjust policies and systems that affect the most vulnerable in our global family.

Review Quotes

"This is a highly recommended resource for the sacraments and their proper celebration, which can provide valuable assistance to ministers who wish to lead truly transformative sacramental celebrations."John Thomas J. Lane, SSS, Pastor, Saint Pascal Baylon Church, Emmanuel