The Sacraments are at the very centre of the Christian life, yet many today receive them without a clear understanding of what the graces they signify and contain. This document from the International Theological Commission explores the relationship between the faith of the recipient and the power and grace conferred by the sacrament looking at what is needed for the fruitful reception of the sacraments in order for them to help the receiver grow in faith. There is "a profound unity between the act by which we believe and the contents to which we give our assent.... In the Christian conception it is not possible to think of a faith without sacramental expression, nor a sacramental practice in the absence of ecclesial faith" [51] The document treats each sacrament but gives saves its most comprehensive treatment for marriage exploring the challenges posed by the increasing number of marriages where the spouses have an incomplete understanding of marriage as a sacrament.

The document intends to highlight the relationship between faith and sacraments. It can contribute to overcoming the fracture between faith and sacraments in the Christian existence of believers, if it occurs.

In September of 2014 thirty new members were appointed for a five-year term to the Vatican's International Theological Commission. These theologians, clerical and lay, were chosen from twenty-six different countries and from five continents. The commission was charged with composing three documents of contemporary theological importance, one of which was that of the relationship between faith and the sacraments. This finished document was published, with the approval of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and by Pope Francis in Spanish in early 2020 under the title: La Reciprocidad entre Fe y Sacramentos en la Economía Sacramental. A subsequent English translation was published thereafter under the title The Reciprocity Between Faith and Sacraments in the Sacramental Economy. This present volume contains the text of the English translation. There follows an introduction by a member of the ITC, Thomas G. Weinandy, OFM, Cap., and subsequently followed by six explanatory and interpretive commentaries on various chapters of the document. Dr. John Yocum considers the contemporary relevance of the topic. Dr. Christopher Ruddy examines the dialogical nature of the sacramental economy of salvation. Dr. Jennifer Holmes Martin discusses the relationship between faith and the sacraments of initiation. There are two commentaries for section four concerning faith and the sacrament of marriage. Professor John Grabowski treats the strictly theological issues relating to faith and marriage. Canonist Timothy Cavanaugh takes up the canonical issues regarding faith and its relationship to enacting a valid sacramental marriage. Dr. Daniel Keating rounds off the commentaries by surveying the conclusion of the document, that is, the present need for evangelization so as to enliven the faith of the faithful, and the present relevance of the new ecclesial movements within the Church today. These commentaries are aimed at aiding priests and seminarians as they address or prepare to address the pastoral and theological concerns they encounter or will encounter on a daily basis. This volume could also be used in parish adult education groups as well, wherein the laity could better understand the relationship between faith and the sacraments.

Engaging Ecclesiology presents eight challenging and thought-provoking essays from the 2021 Edinburgh Dogmatics Conference (EDC), which is a biennial event led by the Rutherford Centre for Reformed Theology. Considering the pressing reality of the decline of the church, particularly in Europe, the essays question the nature and purpose of the church in society today. Using rigorous biblical and theological examination, the contributors provide solutions and clarity to the ecclesiastical quandaries that have arisen over recent times. The EDC creates a positive forum for the constructive discussion of Reformed Theology. The essays represent a unified front in the face of the growing disunity and schisms found in the church.

In every age, the Church must proclaim anew the beauty and abundance of grace contained in the Sacrament of Marriage. Married couples constitute the majority of the faithful, and they are often pillars of support in parishes, schools, apostolates, volunteer groups, and almost every other Catholic institution. Beginning with his apostolic exhortation Amoris Laetitia, Pope Francis has expressed his desire for the Church to offer a better and more thorough preparation of engaged couples for marriage. The Holy Father has called for a relatively broad approach, inspired by the baptismal catechumenate, that would enable couples to celebrate the Sacrament of Marriage with greater awareness, beginning with an experience of faith and personal encounter with Jesus. Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life provides pastoral guidelines for dioceses and parishes in strengthening preparation for the Sacrament of Marriage. By investing renewed energy toward this effort, the Church can help couples understand the gift of the Sacrament of Marriage, the meaning of spousal love, and marriage as their authentic vocation.

A pastoral outline for preparing engaged couples for the Sacrament of Matrimony and the great mission of family life In every age, the Church is called to proclaim anew the beauty and abundance of grace contained in the Sacrament of Matrimony and the family life which flows from it, especially to young people. Building upon Pope Francis’ call in Amoris Laetitia for a deeper formation of engaged couples, the Dicastery for the Laity, Family and Life has prepared the document Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life, which offers pastors, married couples, and all those who work in family pastoral care a renewed vision and methodology of preparation for the Sacrament of Matrimony and for all married life. This new, comprehensive proposal helps parishes: Facilitate a personal encounter with Jesus Christ for the engaged couple Support the couple as they build a solid foundation for a future vocation and discipleship Communicate the meaning of spousal love and the sacredness of marriage to those in preparation for the sacrament Effectively accompany the couple’s first years of married life within the parish community Minister to couples “in crisis” and going through moments of discouragement Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life supports the development of marriage preparation programs that encourage couples to build the foundation for strong, faith-filled marriages that blossom into faithful families. This new edition of Catechumenal Pathways for Married Life features: A newly designed cover with beautiful sacred art Colored tabs with paragraph numbers at the top of each page for easy navigation Carefully designed pages to make each page readable, organized, and inviting A document summary explaining the intended audience, the document’s origin, and the purpose it seeks to serve within the mission of the Church The official text of this work written by the Vatican’s Dicastery for the Laity, Family, and Life This new edition is the first in The Vatican Collection published by Ascension, which features official documents from the Vatican previously published by the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB).

As hunger for the faith continues to grow, Pope Benedict XVI gives the Catholic Church the food it seeks with 598 questions and answers in the