REVIEW

 Images of the Priest in the Life and Thought

of Pope John Paul II

By George Weigel

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REV. MICHAEL MCGUCKIAN, SJ, is a member of the Irish Province of the Society of Jesus. He studied theology at the Milltown Institute of Philosophy and Theology in Dublin and at the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. Since 1990, he has been dean of theology at St. Peter's Major Seminary, in Zomba, Malawi. He has published - articles on ecclesiology and fundamental theology.

In his recent encyclical on the Eucharist, Pope John Paul II regularly speaks of the Mass as a sacrifice. He refers to Jesus' institution of "the Eucharistic Sacrifice of his body and blood," which is, he says, not only a reminder but also "the sacramental re-presentation of the Lord's passion and death" (Ecclesie de Euchoristia, 11).

In this insightful and stirring' work, Rev. Michael McGuckian, S.J., asks how the Eucharist can rightly be called a sacrifice. Citing scripture, the Church Fathers, theologians, and liturgists through the Church's history, he proposes a three-part schema linking the Offertory, Eucharistic Prayer, and Communion.

Rev. McGuckian's tripartite view of the Mass offers every member of the People of God an active role in the joyous celebration of Christ's death and Resurrection. Thoughtful Catholics will find in this short study a great deal to nourish their faith.

Most Rev. Terrence Prendergast, S.J. Archbishop of Halifax

Catholic theology has struggled for an adequate account of the doctrine of sacrifice. Throughout the centuries, Catholics have held to the conviction ichon, expressed in the strongest possible terms at the Council of Trent, that the Eucharist itself is - a sacrifice. This book explores the coherence of the Catholic tradition in relation to the fundamentals of faith. This unique study will provide the reader with an acceptable understanding of traditional sacrifice and presents an intriguing and compelling account of how it actually is.

This book will be essential reading for students of sacramental theology, and is written in a direct and accessible style for any lay reader who has an interest in Eucharistic theology and has been searching for a deeper and more accurate understanding of the doctrine of sacrifice,

The Holy Sacrifice of the Mass
A Search for an Acceptable Notion of Sacrifice
By Michael McGuckian S.J.

First published in 2005 jointly by

Gracewing Publishing
2 Southern Avenue
Leominster
Herefordshire HR6 0QF
England.
and
Liturgy Training Publications
Archdiocese of Chicago
1800 North Hermitage Avenue
Chicago IL 60622-1101
USA

Published in the USA and Canada by Liturgy Training Publications under the imprint Hillenbrand Books. The imprint is focused on contemporary and classical theological thought concerning the liturgy of the Catholic Church. Further information available from the University of St. Mary of the Lake/Mundelein Seminary, 1000 East Maple Avenue, Mundelein IL 60060. litinst@usml.edu

UK ISBN 0-85244-634-9
USA ISBN 1-59525-007-7 HSCMS

Library of Congress Control Number: 2004117532

Printed in the United States of America