The celebration of the Eucharist
The liturgy of the Word: Structure
ritual
Contents
The euchology
The liturgy of the Eucharist: The preparation of the gifts
The great Eucharistic prayer
The Eucharistic celebration
Christian initiation
A Sacrament in three sacramental stages
A single book for Christian initiation: Christian initiation for adults, a return to an ancient tradition adapted for today
Baptism of children
Confirmation
The Eucharist as crowning experience of Christian initiation
The Sacrament of Reconciliation
An overview
Assesses what has been accomplished in reforming the liturgy since the promulgation of the "Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy" and what should be done to continue that process. The author "welcomes with gratitude" the work of the Council and offers his suggestions in a positive spirit of constructive reappraisal, free of negativity and of any desire to change for change's sake. The questions raised and suggestions made include a call for greater variety and choice in the readings and prayers, the restoration of the sacrament of the Eucharist as the culminating experience of Christian initiation (and not before Confirmation), a prolonged mystagory of the confirmed, and a reexamination of the sacrament of Reconciliation. The author calls for a "new" degree of strictness in what the Church expects of those who are to receive a sacrament in terms of commitment and practice