The Sacraments: A Continuing Encounter with Christ - Softcover

Cardinal Donald Wuerl is the Archbishop of Washington and was elevated to the College of Cardinals in 2010 by Pope Benedict XVI. He is known nationally for his catechetical and teaching ministry and for his efforts on behalf of Catholic education. He serves on numerous national and international bodies and is chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, chancellor of The Catholic University of America, chairman of the board of the Pope John Paul II Cultural Foundation and also of The Papal Foundation. He is chairman of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Doctrine and a member of the USCCB Committee on Evangelization and Catechesis. He is the author of numerous articles and books, including the best-selling catechisms, The Teaching of Christ and The Catholic Way. His most recent book, The Mass, was published in January 2011. In April 2008 Cardinal Wuerl hosted in Washington Pope Benedict XVI on the Holy Father s historic journey to the United States. The Cardinal is also active in community activities, joining with civic and business leaders to promote education, service to the poor, pastoral assistance to refugees and immigrants as well as interfaith understanding. The Cardinal was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and received graduate degrees from The Catholic University of America, the Gregorian University while attending the North American College, and a doctorate in theology from the University of Saint Thomas in Rome. He was ordained to the priesthood on December 17, 1966, and ordained a bishop by Pope John Paul II on January 6, 1986 in Saint Peter s Basilica, Rome. He served as Auxiliary Bishop in Seattle until 1987 and then as Bishop of Pittsburgh for 18 years until his appointment to Washington. His titular (cardinalatial) church in Rome is Saint Peter in Chains (San Pietro in Vincoli).

""The...sacraments...are the means by which Christ's redemptive work in His Passion, Death, and Resurrection are present for all time and for all the faithful."" -- Donald Cardinal Wuerl

The Teaching of Christ has had a profound impact upon the universal Church since it was first published in 1976, having been translated into over 13 languages and used around the world.

Now, material dealing specifically with the sacraments has been drawn from The Teaching of Christ into a convenient, "short catechism" that clearly and precisely defines each of them. There is no overestimating the spiritual value of these seven holy signs of God's grace to His people, and their place in the theology and tradition of the Church.

Each sacrament is reviewed in detail, followed by discussion questions, additional references, and key quotations from the "Catechism." Sidebar articles within the text provide helpful background information on complex topics.

This handy and affordable book will benefit individuals and study groups that desire to gain a deeper knowledge of the sacraments.