Take the Plunge

Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe is a former Master of the Dominican Order. Educated at Oxford and Paris, he joined the Dominicans in 1965, and taught scripture at Blackfriars, Oxford, for many years. His bestselling books published by Bloomsbury include What is the Point of Being a Christian?, Why Go to Church?, Alive in God and I Call You Friends. He was elevated to the rank of Cardinal by Pope Francis in December 2024.

In this wide-ranging, wise and engagingly written book, Fr Radcliffe initially deals with many of the practical questions that people ask about Baptism, and then proceeds to discuss not only the various elements of the baptismal liturgy, but also the nature and challenge of the Christian vocation. In doing so he displays a deep understanding of sacramental theology, but also a deep compassion and pastoral concern for people. He has a broad and inclusive approach, finding support for his position in the Gospels as well as Church teaching, and is always clear-sighted and honest. Spirituality Take the Plunge is a must-read not only for priests and deacons, but also for religious education catechists and those conducting pre-baptism sessions for parents and sponsors. Readers will want to approach this book with a yellow highlighter in hand. To bypass this book would be like stumbling upon a gold mine and mistaking its ore for coal. -- Alfred J. Garrotto US Catholic Magazine Take the Plunge is a spirituality book based on living initiation, so its appeal is not limited to sacramental preparation or explicitly baptism-based programs. It would be a helpful resource for preaching, for faith formation of adults or young adults, and for any interested lay reader. Though written from a Catholic perspective, the ecumenical consensus on initiation may make it ecumenically useful as well. -- Kimberly Hope Belcher, University of Notre Dame Worship, Vol 88 No 2

• Introduction1. This Child?2. What Name?3. Commandments and Claim4. Listening to the Word5. The Community of Saints6. Fight the Good Fight7. The Oil of Gladness 8. A Fertile Word9. The Moment of Choice10. Stripped11. Take the Plunge12. God's Anointed13. God's Holy People14. The Paradoxes of Sanctity15. Seeing in the Dark16. Did you receive the Spirit? 17. Growing UpEpilogueBibliography