Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation

Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation is an invitation to a deeper appreciation for the celebration of the Mass and a greater conviction of its importance for our ordinary living-out of Christian faith in daily life. Taking into account the Catechism of the Catholic Church and the new edition of the General Instruction on the Roman Missal, Fr. John Baldovin, S.J., centers his lucid commentary on the Mass around the most recent official documents and provides an up-to-date survey of the historical development of the Mass from the New Testament to the present. Clear, concise, and accessible, Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation is an informative and powerful reflection on the meaning of the Eucharist for us today. This book responds to questions such as What are the orgins of the Mass? How did the Mass develop into what we know today? Why do we have several readings from Scripture at every Mass? Why do we always read a passage from the Gospels last? Why is the Eucharistic Prayer called the center and highpoint of the celebration of the Eucharist? What difference does it make if communion is distributed from the tabernacle or consecrated at the Mass at which people are receiving? Why do we have more than one Eucharistic Prayer? Is it important that people are offered communion in both kinds—the Body and the Blood of Christ? Why did the Mass get its popular name from the dismissal (missa)? Why was it important to recover the exchange of peace?

Fr. Baldovin is well-known for his love of the liturgy and its history. In this volume he moves gently through the eucharistic liturgy and points out, almost at every step, why each part of the liturgy is of great spiritual value. This book is ideal for readers of all ages; for those who are directors of the RCIA; and for those who teach children, teens, and adults the meaning of the Eucharist. Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation is deeply theological and historical and is expressed in contemporary and clear language., Clear, concise, yet comprehensive, John Baldovin's Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation is a superb guide for anyone seeking a deeper understanding of the Mass. Rooted in the words and gestures of the liturgy itself, this book provides an indispensable resource for catechists and religious educators., In this timely contribution, John Baldovin secures his place as a trustworthy liturgical commentator. His lucid analysis of the Mass, grounded in the newly published General Instruction of the Roman Missal, reveals that rare combination of theological breadth and pastoral sensitivity, all rendered in accessible prose. A wide range of readers, from students of the liturgy to ordinary believers, will appreciate these wise and respectful reflections...., In this timely contribution, John Baldovin secures his place as a trustworthy liturgical commentator. His lucid analysis of the Mass, grounded in the newly published General Instruction of the Roman Missal, reveals that rare combination of theological breadth and pastoral sensitivity, all rendered in accessible prose. A wide range of readers, from students of the liturgy to ordinary believers, will appreciate these wise and respectful reflections.

John F. Baldovin, S.J., is professor of historical and liturgical theology at Weston Jesuit School of Theology. An expert in the history of the liturgy, eucharistic theology, and the role of the priest in the church, he is the author of numerous articles and several books, including Worship: City, Church and Renewal and Liturgy in Ancient Jerusalem.