Books published by Liturgical Press

A Cistercian Retreat

Ordinary Time, Year B

Upper Egypt

Shenoute of Atripe, ranked second only to Pachomius for his contribution to the development of egyptian monasticism, is all but unknown outside the coptic tradition. This first english translation of his Life, by his disciple and successor, casts new light on the austere monasticism of the fifth century.

Sermons on Conversion

How central is narrative to Christology? To human experience?In exploring these questions Michael Cook maintains in Christology as Narrative Quest the primacy and centrality of narrative in communicating the significance of Jesus Christ, and demonstrates ways in which "narrative" in four faith images has played a role in the shaping of Christology. These forms and their texts are: biblical (the Gospel of Mark); creedal (the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed); systematic (Aquinas' Summa theologiae); and social transformation (the "story" of Mexican-Americans.) All of these images are ways of using narrative imagery to connect idea and experience.A detailed analysis reveals that each of these forms involve what well-known ethicist Alasdair MacIntyre calls a "narrative quest." In each case an image of Jesus that is fundamental for integrating a particular form of the "narrative quest" emerges.Father Cook contends that Christology in any age is the culture-specific faith response of the community of believers/disciples (Church) to the mystery of the risen Jesus a mystery that, identified with the very life, activity, and presence of God, simply transcends any attempt we make, whether biblical, creedal, systematic, or societal, to bring it to expression.The four faith images (biblical, creedal, systematic, social transformation) and their texts broadly correspond to significant periods in the history of Christianity: the Jewish-Gentile Church, the Hellenistic-Byzantine (imperial) Church, the Latin-Western (papal) Church, and the contemporary, post-Vatican II emergence of the world-wide Church.Graduate students, academicians, and others who want a scholarly or professional reference work will appreciate this substantive look into the relationship of narrative and Christology.

The saintly austerities of Mary of Egypt so impressed early monks that they recorded her Life to edify their brethren. Many versions circulated and the tale travelled from Palestine to Europe, from Greek to Latin to French to Spanish, from prose to poetry, from hagiography to literature, and from the monastery into the world outside.

Ascetic Discourses

In the Beginning

Few topics are as important, and as controversial, as the proper role and exercise of authority inthe Roman Catholic Church. Inspired by Pope Franciss bold rereading and determined implementation of the teaching of Vatican II, Richard Gaillardetz has completely revised and expanded his book By What Authority? It offers a helpful introduction to the nature and forms of church authority and their relationship to authentic Christian belief and discipleship. Gaillardetz offerstheologically clear and pastorally insightful considerations of: the character of divine revelation, the authority of Scripture and tradition the role of the pope and bishops in preserving the Christian faith the levels of church teaching authority,thecentral faith witness of all the baptized the possibility of disagreements with church teaching, and the proper relationship between theologians, the magisterium, and the whole people of God the authority of the believing community and the controversial questions regarding the possibility of disagreeing with church teaching.

Chapter Talks

Sermons for Advent and the Christmas Season

For those outside the cloister Norvene Vest sets the elements of the Rule-regular prayer and prayerful attention to work-within the silence which enables us to listen to, reflect on, and respond to God's call.

The Medieval Experience of Reading

Monastic Essays

Spiritual Accompaniment and Spiritual Growth