Many have a strong opinion have Vatican II, but few have actually read the documents produced by the Second Vatican Council. These non-academic documents were intended to be read by ordinary people and actually provide vision, inspiration and spiritual nourishment. What follows is an overview...
One of the most hotly contested issues between Protestants and Catholics has been whether or not the Mass, also known as the Lord's Supper and the Eucharist, is a sacrifice. Dr. Italy here clarifies the issue. [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100' color='' background_color='' border_color='']F[/dropcaps]rom the very outset of...
Vatican II on the ways Christ is really present in the liturgy and why liturgical prayer has an excellence that surpasses all other devotions and activities of the Church....
This reading on the real presence of Christ's body and blood in the Eucharist as it was taught in the Early Church is by Cyril, bishop of Jerusalem in the middle of the fourth century, and one of the most important sources we have for...
Hilary of Poitiers says the Word became flesh and we receive his flesh in the Lord’s Supper, the sacrament of his body & blood, the Eucharist....
Fulgentius of Ruspe here treats beautifully of the relationship between the unity and charity of the Church and the sacrament of the Eucharist, the sacrament of unity and charity (agape or caritas) leading to spiritual fellowship and communion (Greek koinonia and Latin communio). [dropcaps type='normal' font_size='100'...
Fulgentius of Ruspe reflects upon the offering of the Holy Sacrifice of the Eucharist. In in imitating the death of our Lord we should walk in newness of life by the power of the Holy Spirit....
The Second Vatican Council here teaches that peace is not just an absence of war but is a fruit of justice and love. It can never be established by law alone but depends on virtue that grows and is maintained by constant effort in...
Bishop of Jerusalem in the mid 4th century, St. Cyril here instructs recently initiated Christians about the holy oil of gladness, called chrism, that make them anointed ones, sharing in the anointing of Christ through the sacrament of confirmation....
Gregory of Nazianzen here provides us a wonderful guide to meditating on the Passion of Christ in a way that will make Holy Week and the Triduum a life-changing experience. We are enter into the paschal sacrifice by finding ourselves in the various actors...