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Overview
A sacrament according to St. Thomas Aquinas is "the sign of a sacred thing in so far as it sanctifies men." St Augustine called it "a visible form of an invisible grace."The sacraments are essential to the life of the Church in most traditions but they have received little attention from theologians of late and there is great misunderstanding about their nature and purpose.Fr. Anselm Grnn, the best-selling German Benedictine, has set about answering this need. This new book contains seven chapters, one for each sacrament. This is not a theological exposition though it is based on the soundest theology. Grnn is a spiritual writer who has learned much from his study of analytical psychology (the writings of C.G. Jung) and uses these insights to bring fresh understanding to the sacraments of the Church.His writing is orthodox but because of its psychological sophisitcation, Grnn once again manages to touch the hearts and minds of men and women of today. The sacraments, Grnn shows, are the free gift of God and are not dependent in any way upon the worthiness or unworthiness oif the Christiian believer.Grnn's new book will be welcomed by priests, ministers, teachers and countless people who are trying to make sense of being Christian in the turbulent modern world.
Synopsis
The bestselling Benedictine Fr Anselm Grun applied his extenisve counselling experience, great fund of common sense, biblical insight and analytical training to the seven sacraments recognised by the Catholic Church: Baptism, Eucharist (or Communion), Confirmation, Reconciliation (Penance or Confession), Marriage, Ordination and Anointing of the Sick.
Each sacrament's meaning is examined, as well its history, its form - past and present - and its impact on the life of those who receive it and those who administer it. Grun also suggests how the sacraments could be made more relevant to Christians living in the twenty-first century.
Everyone can benefit from reading this book: those about to receive any one of the sacraments will gain insight and inspiration; teachers, parish priests, and pastoral workers will find their work enriched and made easier; and both married and celibate will discover elements to celebrate in their own and in others' way of life. As alwasys, Grun combines flashes of radicalism with deep understanding of Catholic tradtion. His is a unique voice, and here he reclaims a vital subject from widespread ignorance and neglect.
Anselm Grun is cellarer (administrator) of the Benedictine abbey of Munsterschwarzach in southern Germany. He became a Benedictine in 1964 and directs residential courses in meditation techniques, interpretation of dreams, fasting and contemplation. He is a prolific author whose books have achieved huge sales in many languages. Works available in English include Angels of Grace, The Spirit of Self Esteem, Images of Jesus and the forthcoming Jesus: the Image of Humanity (all from Continuum).