Books by Thomas Scirghi

ΓÇ£The perfect guidebook for curious parents, enthusiastic newcomers, and confused cradle Catholics. Frankly, this is the best book on baptism IΓÇÖve ever read.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇöJames Martin, S.J. author of the New York Times Bestseller, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) EverythingBaptism is the beginning of oneΓÇÖs life in the community of the church, and the ΓÇ£gatewayΓÇ¥ to the rest of the sacraments. ΓÇó IsnΓÇÖt it better to get baptized when youΓÇÖre older, and can understand what youΓÇÖre doing? ΓÇó Does my baby have to be baptized immediately? ΓÇó Will my child go to hell, limbo or purgatory ifΓÇöGod forbidΓÇöhe or she dies before baptism? ΓÇó Why are so many baptisms done during the Mass these days? ΓÇó WhatΓÇÖs the role of the godparents? Do they have to be Catholics? Christians? Believers? These are questions from good Catholics that deserve good answers. If people remain confused about baptism, they will be confused about the sacramental life of the church, and, by extension, their faith. ΓÇ£Thomas Scirghi has written a fine book on baptism for the 21st century church. Rooted deeply in Scripture, the authoritative teaching of the Catholic Church, and the living tradition of sacramental practice, ScirghiΓÇÖs book is laced with literary, cultural, and everyday examples that allow readers to grasp (or grasp anew) the continuing significance of baptism in the life of the Church and in their own lives.ΓÇ¥ ΓÇôTimothy Brunk, Assistant Professor of Theology, Villanova UniversityFrom the foreword by James Martin, SJ:Frankly, this is the best book on baptism IΓÇÖve ever read. ItΓÇÖs wise without being overly academic; inviting without being overly informal; and concise without being slapdash. Fr.Scirghi, a distinguished scholar, compassionate pastor, and popular teacher at Fordham University, is the perfect guide to the history, theology, and application of the sacrament.Father ScirghiΓÇÖs book could easily become a standard introduction to the sacrament, and is the perfect guidebook for curious parents, enthusiastic newcomers, and confused cradle Catholics. After reading it, youΓÇÖll understand why we invite parents to have their children baptized, and also why we baptize adults at the Easter Vigil Mass. YouΓÇÖll know the significance of the oil (and the candle) in the rite. And the next time you see a priest or deacon pour water over a childΓÇÖs head and pronounce the ancient baptismal formula, youΓÇÖll have a richer appreciation for his words and his actions.