The recent retranslation and US adaptation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults can be seen as the work of the Second Vatican Council continuing to unfold, fulfilling the council’s mandate to draw up texts and rites so that they “express more clearly the holy things that they signify” (Sacrosanctum concilium, 21). In this present volume, A Pastoral and Theological Commentary on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, fourteen authors—all scholars and pastoral ministers steeped in the Church’s living liturgical tradition—help us appreciate this unfolding more deeply by presenting the historical development and theological significance of the OCIA rites and texts, thus enriching our pastoral practice. Introductory essays present a contextual foundation, including discussion of historical and theological roots and an exposition of Christian Initiation: General Introduction Then, following the structure of the OCIA, eight chapters of commentary concentrate on each stage of Christian initiation, from acceptance into the Order of Catechumens through the Period of Mystoagogy, including chapters on the Rites for Particular Circumstances. Further commentaries on the musical enrichment of the rites and on the newly revised National Statues for the Catechumenate round out this panoramic, yet accessible, view of the rites of the OCIA. “This book is for anyone ministering in or studying Christian initiation. We believe it offers a deep understanding of the rites for both those long familiar with this process and those fairly new to it. For those who wish to pursue further study, either casual or in-depth, a vast array of endnotes and bibliographies offer plenty of suggestions” (editor Victoria Tufano, from the introduction). Contributors: Kimberly Hope Belcher, Nathan P. Chase, John J. M. Foster, Patricia J. Hughes, Maxwell E. Johnson, Jan Michael Joncas, Anne McGowan, Timothy, P. O'Malley, Diana Dudoit Raiche, Margaret Schreiber, OP, Dominic Serra, Elizabeth Brady Simcoe, Paul Turner, Susan K. Wood, SCL.

The recent retranslation and US adaptation of the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults can be seen as the work of the Second Vatican Council continuing to unfold, fulfilling the council’s mandate to draw up texts and rites so that they “express more clearly the holy things that they signify” (Sacrosanctum concilium, 21). In this present volume, A Pastoral and Theological Commentary on the Order of Christian Initiation of Adults, fourteen authors—all scholars and pastoral ministers steeped in the Church’s living liturgical tradition—help us appreciate this unfolding more deeply by presenting the historical development and theological significance of the OCIA rites and texts, thus enriching our pastoral practice. Introductory essays present a contextual foundation, including discussion of historical and theological roots and an exposition of Christian Initiation: General Introduction Then, following the structure of the OCIA, eight chapters of commentary concentrate on each stage of Christian initiation, from acceptance into the Order of Catechumens through the Period of Mystoagogy, including chapters on the Rites for Particular Circumstances. Further commentaries on the musical enrichment of the rites and on the newly revised National Statues for the Catechumenate round out this panoramic, yet accessible, view of the rites of the OCIA. “This book is for anyone ministering in or studying Christian initiation. We believe it offers a deep understanding of the rites for both those long familiar with this process and those fairly new to it. For those who wish to pursue further study, either casual or in-depth, a vast array of endnotes and bibliographies offer plenty of suggestions” (editor Victoria Tufano, from the introduction).

Catholic Marriage: A Pastoral and Liturgical Commentary is a collection of essays by scholars and practitioners on the rites, spirituality, history, theology, and pastoral practice surrounding the Sacrament of Matrimony in the Roman Catholic Church. Those who minister to engaged couples and teach the sacrament will appreciate the accessible approach to the meaning of Christian marriage and how that is and has been expressed in the rites of the Church and cultural customs.

Featuring detailed analysis of medieval homilies and sermons from St. Augustine, St. Gregory the Great, St. Bonaventure, John Colet, and Henry Suso, as well as original sermons available for the first time in English from Peter Damien and Stephen Langdon, this book is an ideal tool for pastors, deacons, retreat leaders, and homiletic students. It also serves to introduce readers into the theology and the history of the period.

A Commentary on the Order of Mass of The Roman Missal gathers the insights of some of today's foremost English-speaking liturgical scholars to aid in understanding this most recent edition of the Order of Mass and its new English translation. Developed under the auspices of the Catholic Academy of Liturgy this commentary was guided by three primary concerns: to situate the promulgation of a new English translation of the Roman Missal historically and theologically to aid in the pastoral implementation of these texts and rites to contribute to the ongoing development of vernacular worship for English-speaking Roman Catholics Contributors include: John Baldovin Anscar Chupungco Mary Collins Keith Pecklers David Power Joyce Ann Zimmermann The volume is edited by John Baldovin, SJ, Professor of Historical and Liturgical Theology at the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry Mary Collins, OSB, Professor Emerita at The Catholic University of America School of Theology and Religious Studies, Washington DC Edward Foley, Capuchin, the Duns Scotus Professor of Spirituality and Professor of Liturgy and Music at Catholic Theological Union in Chicago Joanne Pierce, Associate Professor in the Department of Religious Studies at the College of the Holy Cross, Worcester, MA

The celebration of the sacrament of baptism underwent a major change in the years after the Second Vatican Council (1962 '65). The Rite of Christian Initiation of Adults was revised to take into account the situation of the contemporary world by incorporating insights from the earliest centuries of the Church. The Rite of Baptism for Children was renewed to take into account the role of parents and godparents in a more direct way. These two situations 'the initiation of adults who profess their own faith and the baptism of children whose faith is professed for them 'are the object of this book. The symbols and actions of the rites together with the words of Scripture and prayer are explored to answer the question: How do these celebrations reveal a theology of initiation and baptism for today's Catholic community? Michal G. Witczak, SLD, is a priest of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee and an assistant professor in liturgical studies at The Catholic University of America. His writings have appeared in Theological Studies, Ecclesia Orans, and Liturgical Ministry.