Guiding readers through the rites of Baptism, Confirmation and Eucharist, Understanding the Sacraments of Initiation explores the way in which the sacraments of Initiation affect and influence one’s daily Christian life.
Understanding the Sacraments of Vocation presents insightful catechesis or mystagogy on the sacraments of vocation based on the words, actions, and signs of the rites and pastorally connects the meaning of the sacraments into daily Christian life.
Introduction; Biblical orientations; Rites called sacraments; A theology of sacrament; Baptism: the rite; Baptism: the word; Confirmation: the rite; Confirmation: the word; Eucharist: the rite; Eucharist: the word; Epilogue;.
A contemporary theology of these three sacraments, surveying their historical development, their theology today, and liturgical and pastoral implications.
The Sacrament of Reconciliation examines this sacrament in terms of its anthropological, scriptural, historical, and theological roots. The powerful message of God’s merciful love expressed through this sacrament is an essential way of knowing the “joy of the Gospel.”
Up to now the teaching on baptism in the Holy Spirit has been based on a few scriptural texts, whose interpretation was disputed. This doubt cast its shadow on those who promote baptism in the Holy Spirit. Now new evidence has been found in early post-biblical authors (Tertullian, Hilary of Poitiers, Cyril of Jerusalem, John Chrysostom, Philoxenus, and the Syrians) which demonstrates that what is called baptism in the Holy Spirit was integral to Christian initiation (baptism, confirmation, Eucharist). Because it was part of initiation into the Church, it was not a matter of private piety, but of public worship. Therefore it was and remains normative. This is an intriguing ground-breaking study of value to RCIA teams, pastors, theology teachers and students, and Church offices.
In Liturgical Catechesis in the 21st Century: A School of Discipleship, Dr. James Pauley explores the sacred action most essential to forming genuine disciples: the transformative encounter with God in the liturgy.
Drawing upon important twentieth-century intellectual influences as well as the experience of several of today’s foremost catechetical leaders, this book will inspire readers with a promising new vision for sacramental preparation and mystagogical catechesis, one that places maximum emphasis on apprenticing people into an active and fruitful sacramental life in Christ. Dr. James Pauley stresses the importance of discipleship and apprenticeship, leading from the visible to the invisible realities of the divine encounter with God in the sacraments. The relationship of liturgy and catechesis is vitally important to full, conscious and active liturgical participation, and to the life of holiness and missionary responsiveness which depends upon liturgy as its source. This revised edition has been updated to reflect the 2020 Directory for Catechesis.