Make Holy These Gifts

At the heart of Catholic faith lies recognition that life is enchanted. In a sacramental world ordinary things—water, bread, sexuality—overflow with grace. The Whiteheads remind readers of the saving energy such belief can infuse into our lives. "The Catholic genius lies in the recognition of the world as sacramental. The lame walk, the blind see, weapons are repurposed as farm implements. All this takes place only in a world that has become enchanted. Enchantment names the jolts in consciousness with which we register the epiphanies and transfigurations of the wonder all around us. Another name for this is grace."