John D. Laurance, SJ, is associate professor of theology at Marquette University. He is the author of ?Priest' as Type of Christ: The Leader of the Eucharist. His work has appeared in many theological journals, including Theological Studies, Studia Liturgica, La Maison-Dieu, and Louvain Studies. Laurance is the editor of Liturgical Press's Lex Orandi Series.

The merits of this work are many and significant: the research is first-rate; the text is accessible and informative; and the gift and challenge of the Eucharist for the Christian community emerge unambiguously. The theology developed in the first half of the book—from Christology to ecclesiology, and on to liturgical theology—is a fine synthesis; it also lays an excellent foundation for the study of the Eucharistic celebration in the book’s second half. This is a text that RCIA groups in parishes, no less than diocesan presbyterates, could explore to their great enrichment.Richard Lennan, Professor of Systematic Theology, Boston College – School of Theology and Ministry

• ContentsPreface to the Lex Orandi Serie  s viiList of Abbreviations   xiIntroduction   1Part One: Theological BackgroundChapter One:A Sacrament of Christ   5Chapter Two:A Sacrament of the Church   26Chapter Three:Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi   44Part Two: The Eucharistic RiteChapter Four:Liturgical Assembly: Its Time and Place   69Chapter Five:The Introductory Rites   91Chapter Six:The Liturgy of the Word   120Chapter Seven:The Liturgy of the Eucharist   150 Index of Documents   188Index of Scripture References   189Index of Proper Names   195Index of Subjects   199

John D. Laurance, SJ, is associate professor of theology at Marquette University. He is the author of ?Priest' as Type of Christ: The Leader of the Eucharist. His work has appeared in many theological journals, including Theological Studies, Studia Liturgica, La Maison-Dieu, and Louvain Studies. Laurance is the editor of Liturgical Press's Lex Orandi Series.

The merits of this work are many and significant: the research is first-rate; the text is accessible and informative; and the gift and challenge of the Eucharist for the Christian community emerge unambiguously. The theology developed in the first half of the book—from Christology to ecclesiology, and on to liturgical theology—is a fine synthesis; it also lays an excellent foundation for the study of the Eucharistic celebration in the book’s second half. This is a text that RCIA groups in parishes, no less than diocesan presbyterates, could explore to their great enrichment.Richard Lennan, Professor of Systematic Theology, Boston College – School of Theology and Ministry

• ContentsPreface to the Lex Orandi Serie  s viiList of Abbreviations   xiIntroduction   1Part One: Theological BackgroundChapter One:A Sacrament of Christ   5Chapter Two:A Sacrament of the Church   26Chapter Three:Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi   44Part Two: The Eucharistic RiteChapter Four:Liturgical Assembly: Its Time and Place   69Chapter Five:The Introductory Rites   91Chapter Six:The Liturgy of the Word   120Chapter Seven:The Liturgy of the Eucharist   150 Index of Documents   188Index of Scripture References   189Index of Proper Names   195Index of Subjects   199

John D. Laurance, SJ, is associate professor of theology at Marquette University. He is the author of ?Priest' as Type of Christ: The Leader of the Eucharist. His work has appeared in many theological journals, including Theological Studies, Studia Liturgica, La Maison-Dieu, and Louvain Studies. Laurance is the editor of Liturgical Press's Lex Orandi Series.

The merits of this work are many and significant: the research is first-rate; the text is accessible and informative; and the gift and challenge of the Eucharist for the Christian community emerge unambiguously. The theology developed in the first half of the book—from Christology to ecclesiology, and on to liturgical theology—is a fine synthesis; it also lays an excellent foundation for the study of the Eucharistic celebration in the book’s second half. This is a text that RCIA groups in parishes, no less than diocesan presbyterates, could explore to their great enrichment.Richard Lennan, Professor of Systematic Theology, Boston College – School of Theology and Ministry

• ContentsPreface to the Lex Orandi Serie  s viiList of Abbreviations   xiIntroduction   1Part One: Theological BackgroundChapter One:A Sacrament of Christ   5Chapter Two:A Sacrament of the Church   26Chapter Three:Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi   44Part Two: The Eucharistic RiteChapter Four:Liturgical Assembly: Its Time and Place   69Chapter Five:The Introductory Rites   91Chapter Six:The Liturgy of the Word   120Chapter Seven:The Liturgy of the Eucharist   150 Index of Documents   188Index of Scripture References   189Index of Proper Names   195Index of Subjects   199