Awesome Glory

In this extraordinarily rich volume, Jeremy Driscoll shows how we experience the awesome glory of the resurrection in the liturgy of the Paschal Triduum and the Easter Season. His insightful liturgical exegesis reveals how the lectionary proclaims a coherent story of God's saving grace in the crucified and risen Christ. A perfect resource for the Triduum and the Easter Season!Frank J. Matera, Professor Emeritus, The Catholic University of America Abbot Jeremy takes us on a spiritual journey through the most basic belief that gives meaning to our Christian identity-the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This book enables us to understand with depth how our life as a Christian is touched by this belief. He shows how profound our lives are touched by the paschal mystery and how the liturgy continues to draw us deeper into the very life of Christ. When read slowly and meditatively, this book is life changing.Abbot Gregory J. Polan, OSB, Primate of the Benedictine Confederation, Sant'Anselmo, Rome A supremely important contribution to revealing the depth and breadth of the meaning of the liturgy as a communal event centered on the paschal victory of Christ. Taking the paschal triduum through the solemnity of Pentecost as its focus this commentary invites us to experience both death itself and passing over to new life again and again in Christ through the celebration of the liturgy.Msgr. Kevin Irwin, The Catholic University of America What more can be said about the resurrection? Yet we must come to fresh appreciation of this central mystery for the sake of our Christian faith. What is Christ doing? What are we doing? Abbot Jeremy guides the reader, flashlight in hand, on a gentle walk through Scripture and Liturgy conjoined. First the transforming power of resurrection is shown in the biblical account of the Pasch. Then the Lord's presence and power in the sacramental signs of the Paschal Triduum is shown. (Who could have guessed there was so much theology in the rubrics and texts and actions of these days?) This is liturgical exegesis at its best. Everyone should make a Lenten spiritual reading retreat by turning to this book during the last days of Lent and preparing themselves for the mystery of the Paschal vigil.David W. Fagerberg, Professor, University of Notre Dame Driscoll's guide helps direct attention to the special phrases in the prayers, to the carefully selected scriptures, and to all of the `smells and bells' of each of the celebrations. It is warmly recommended to seminary libraries and to all who want to know more about and participate more deeply in the liturgies and scriptures that are fundamental to our faith.Catholic Library World

Jeremy Driscoll, OSB, is the abbot of Mount Angel Abbey in Saint Benedict, Oregon. He has served for many years as a professor of theology at Mount Angel Seminary and the Pontifical Athenaeum of Saint Anselm in Rome. Abbot Jeremy is the author of several books of theology, spirituality, and poetry and is a widely sought speaker and retreat leader in the United States and beyond.

Contents Introduction 1 Part 1 A Summary of the Proclamation in Theological Terms 9 Chapter 1 The Paschal Mystery Described 11 Chapter 2 The Range of Meanings in the Word Pasch 16 Chapter 3 The Crisis of the Cross and the Transforming Power of Resurrection 22 Chapter 4 The Paschal Mystery Celebrated in the Liturgy 29 Part 2 The Witness to Cross and Resurrection in the Lectionary and Liturgy from the Paschal Triduum to Pentecost 33 Chapter 5 Holy Thursday: Mass of the Lord's Supper 35 The Entrance and the Gloria 36 A Reading from the Book of Exodus 37 The Responsorial Psalm 39 A Reading from the First Letter of Paul to the Corinthians 40 A Reading from the Gospel according to John 41 The Washing of Feet 46 The Liturgy of the Eucharist 47 The Transfer of the Most Blessed Sacrament 49 Chapter 6 Good Friday: The Celebration of the Passion of the Lord 52 Entrance and Opening Prayer 54 A Reading from the Book of the Prophet Isaiah 56 The Responsorial Psalm 59 A Reading from the Letter to the Hebrews 60 The Passion according to John 63 The General Intercessions 68 The Adoration of the Holy Cross 69 Holy Communion 74 Chapter 7 The Paschal Vigil in the Holy Night 77 First Part: The Solemn Beginning of the Vigil or Lucernarium 78 Second Part: The Liturgy of the Word 87 Third Part: Baptismal Liturgy 103 Fourth Part: The Liturgy of the Eucharist 104 Chapter 8 The Mass during the Day and the Octave of Easter 105 The Mass of Easter Day 105 Eight Days, Forty Days, and Fifty Days 112 The Octave 113 The Period between the Octave and the Ascension 120 Chapter 9 The Ascension of the Lord 122 A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 123 The Gospel Readings for Ascension 127 Options for the Second Reading 131 Chapter 10 Pentecost Sunday 136 A Reading from the Acts of the Apostles 137 An Option for the Second Reading 140 The Gospel Reading for Pentecost 141 The Epiclesis of the Eucharistic Liturgy 143 The Communion Antiphon for Pentecost 144