The Mass of the Early Christians, Revised and Expanded, Third Edition - 3rd Edition by Mike Aquilina (Paperback)

About the Book

In this revised and expanded third edition, renowned author, speaker, and patristics scholar Mike Aquilina reveals the Church's most ancient Eucharistic beliefs and practices. Using the words of the early Christians themselves, he traces the history of the Mass from the earliest days of the Church through the fourth century.

Book Synopsis

The Mass is ever ancient, ever new, and the Church's understanding of this divine gift is ever deepening.

In this revised and expanded third edition of The Mass of the Early Christians, renowned author, speaker, and patristics scholar Mike Aquilina reveals the Church's most ancient Eucharistic beliefs and practices. Using the words of the early Christians themselves -- from many documents and inscriptions -- he traces the history of the Mass from the earliest days of the Church through the fourth century. That the Mass has always stood at the center of the Church's life is evident in Scripture, as well as in the earliest Christian sermons, letters, artwork, tombstones, and architecture.

These legacies from the early Church bear witness to the very worship Catholics know today.

Review Quotes

"An essential companion to any study of the liturgy. ... In this text, readers will discover familiar echoes of today's liturgy in ancient witnesses. In short, they will experience why Tradition is said to be 'Living.'" -- Dr. Kevin Clarke, Sacred Heart Major Seminary, Detroit

"In the first part of the book, Aquilina provides a kind of grammar by which the reader can enter fruitfully into the primary texts that are constitutive of the second part of the book. Here the reader is invited to contemplate the mystery of the Eucharist through the eyes of those Church Fathers who came to first articulate the beauty of Eucharistic faith. For anyone who wants to love the Eucharist more deeply (or simply understand why so many Catholics do), Aquilina's The Mass of the Early Christians is a must-read." -- Timothy P. O'Malley, Associate Director for Research, McGrath Institute for Church Life, and Academic Director, Notre Dame Center for Liturgy

"In these pages you will find a rich induction to the world of the Fathers of the Church: their theology, life, and worship. Aquilina's insightful introductions to each text make this book perfect for self-study, while the chorus of early voices make it indispensable for courses on patristics or Eucharistic theology." -- Anthony Marco, Assistant Professor of Theology, Ancilla College of Marian University

"The sheer number of books written on the history of the Mass may bewilder amateur students of liturgy. Mr. Aquilina's short volume is a reliable compass to reorient our understanding of the central act of Catholic worship. This new edition is most welcome." -- Thomas Banks, House of Humane Letters