Deconstructing Sacramental Theology and Reconstructing Catholic Ritual by Joseph Martos
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

A challenging and at times unconvincing argument is put forward by Martos. His deconstruction of sacramental theology, at least from the perspective of scholastic sacramental theology, is compelling and worthwhile, yet his attempt to ‘reconstruct’ something from Catholic sacramental and ritual practice doesn’t, in my estimation, completely succeed. At least not without appearing to be dismissive of church authority and appear as the agenda for a more progressive agenda for the life of the Church. It is, perhaps, this alone that makes Martos’ efforts unconvincing for this reader.

The argument can perhaps be a little dense and hard to access at times, but thankfully Martos provides a concise summary of his argument at the end of the book. I would suggest that readers might like to peruse that summary prior to returning to the main contents of the book. If nothing else, this approach allows for the depth of Martos’ argument to be unfolded a little more coherently – if unconvincingly – during the major part of the book.

This book also provides a very good summary, as part of the deconstructing of Catholic sacramental theology, of the very theology it seeks to deconstruct. From that perspective alone the first parts of the book could be of benefit for anyone wanting an introduction to the prevailing understanding of sacramental theology in the contemporary Church.

Not a book for the fainthearted, but worth persevering with nevertheless.

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The Church Made Anew: Iuvenescit Ecclesia by Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An interesting yet dry theological treatise from the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith essentially dealing with the inherent relationship between the Church and the ‘new ecclesial movements’ that have sprung up in the wake of the Second Vatican Council.

The Congregation is keen to focus on the way in which these new ecclesial groups – of whatever persuasion – have a life that is naturally connected to what the document refers to as the hierarchical-institutional Church. Rather than an attempt to stifle the charisms that spark the new ecclesial groups, the Congregation necessarily connects these new charismatic gifts to the Church with the gifts that order and structure the Church – and sees them as stemming from the same Spirit at work in many different modalities and in different ages.

Not a document that everyone should read; but for those whose ministry includes leadership of any portion of the Faithful, this might almost be considered compulsory reading.

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Seeking the Face of God: Vultum Dei Quaerere by Pope Francis
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Although specifically addressed to communities of contemplative women within the Church, this Apostolic Constitution of Pope Francis makes for interesting reading for all members of the Church who take seriously the vocation stemming from their baptism.

At the heart of the document is the enumeration and elucidation of “twelve aspects of consecrated life in general and the monastic tradition in particular” (para. 12):

• formation
• prayer
• the word of God
• the sacraments of the Eucharist and Reconciliation
• fraternal life in community
• autonomy
• federations
• the cloister
• work
• silence
• the communications media
• asceticism

The consideration of theses twelve aspects constitute the major part of the Constitution, covering paragraphs 12 through 35, and has much to offer the ordinary Christian pilgrim who, though not called to the contemplative or monastic life, is still called to seek always the “the Face of God”. It is quite easy to see how some of these aspects of the formal contemplative life can, with suitable modification, have much to offer the pilgrim Christian as they walk the path of the baptised life.

Though short in length (my printed copy runs to only 40 pages) there is much contained in this Apostolic Constitution that speaks to the contemporary situation facing Christians of all walks and states of life.

Highly recommended.

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