The Eucharist: Essence, Form, Celebration

Rating:
Summary: Very good Introduction to the Mass and history
Review: This book was one of the first theological/liturgical works I read on the mass and very much enjoyed it.

It begins with a solid introduction to sacramental theology and then goes on to describe the mass as instituted by Jesus and rooted in the Jewish Passover. This was most enlightening. It then goes on to look at the historical development of the mass up to the present. I found my self saying 'that's why they do or say that!'. The second part of the book gives a detailed look at the mass today.

It was daunting to open such a book given that it is scholarly and intent on informing the reader in a solid and academic way, however it is not by a long shot impenetrable and actually I found it deeply rewarding. It gets four stars because I needed to use my brain!!!