Today I saw this at the NRO Corner which had some suggested books by various people associated with them. This one was by Fr. George Rutler.
I would recommend Christ in His Mysteries
by Blessed Columba Marmion.
Marmion, an Irishman who became Abbot of Maredsous Abbey in Belgium, and a leading spiritual writer of the twentieth century, approached the Resurrection through the liturgy, as the Church’s living and ongoing experience of Christ alive and at work in the world.
I had actually just completed reading this book last night and can certainly second his recommendation. I had previously read two other books from Blessed Marmion’s and so when I received “Christ in His Mysteries
” I was prepared for reading another great books from this spiritual master. This is the second book of a trilogy that started with “Christ, the Life of the Soul” and I would guess that the third one is also being translated from the original French.
Once again the translator has done some excellent work by bringing Blessed Marmion’s writing to us with a theological accuracy. There are footnotes throughout to explain theological fine points. The book also contains an introduction by both Fr. Groeschel and Fr. Aidan Nichols. We are given the theology of Christ with a Pauline perspective that is simply amazing in it spiritual and theological depth. It is quite telling that Blessed Marmion knew the New Testament by heart since his writing is soaked with the Gospels and the other books of the New Testament. Marmion is the great teacher when it comes to the theology of adoption and I would not be surprised in the least if one day he is declared a Doctor of the Church for how much he has contributed to this theology.
There is just so much in this book which covers 450 some pages to really go into much detail, but it is such an amazing accomplishment and while not light reading it is spiritual reading that will bear much fruit. Incarnation theology is especially explored in the first section of the book and his role of high priest. Further chapters explore specific liturgical seasons and events in the life of Christ which is divided into several sections addressing the main topic. Just a great book and it deserves to be on you bed stand (and read).
1 comment
I have a compilation of the works of Blessed Columba which I have been reading on for years. The reason it is taking years is that these works are not a book you can just sit down and read through. I can only read a small amount at a time during my prayer time. It is so rich and there is so much to meditate and ponder over. It is wonderful!