Winter 2013 - Ignatius Press

New Winter Books
Fire of Mercy,
Heart of the Word • vol. iii
Meditations on the Gospel
According to Saint Matthew
Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis
To the unstudied eye, St. Matthew’s gospel can
seem a terse narrative, almost a historical document
and not the tremendously spiritual (and doctrinal)
storehouse that it is. In his third volume of
meditations on Matthew (chapters 19-25), Erasmo
Leiva continues to show Matthew’s prose to be not
terse so much as economical-astoundingly so given
its depth. The lay reader can derive great profit
from reading this. Each short meditation comments
on a verse or two, pointing to some facet of the text
not immediately apparent, but rich with meaning.
Leiva’s work is scholarly but eminently
approachable by the lay reader. The tone is very
much of “taste and see how good the Lord is” and
an invitation of “friend, come up higher!”. The goal
of the book is to help the reader experience the heat
of the divine heart and the light of the divine Word.
Leiva comments on the Greek text, demonstrating
nuances in the text that defy translation. He
uses numerous quotes from the Fathers and the
Liturgy of the Church to demonstrate the way the
Tradition has lived and read the Word of God. His
theological reflection vivifies doctrine by seeking
its roots in the words and actions of Jesus.
“This is a biblical commentary with scholarship
and, above all, a prayerfulness that is a great gift
to the Church. ” — Sr. Wendy Beckett, OCD
Erasmo Leiva-Merikakis, Ph.D., was formerly a
Professor of Literature and Theology at the University
of San Francisco. Now a Trappist monk, he is
the author of Vols. 1 & 2 of Fire of Mercy, plus The
Way of the Disciple and Love’s Sacred Order.
FMHW3-P . . . 800 pp, Sewn Softcover, $31.95
—Also in this series—
Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word, Vol. 1 E
FMHW-P . . . 746 pp, Sewn Softcover, $31.95
Fire of Mercy, Heart of the Word, Vol. 2 E
FMHW2-P . . . 800 pp, Sewn Softcover, $31.95
to order, call 1-800-651-1531
E indicates availability as an e-Book on ignatius.com
8
A Sense of the Sacred
Roman Catholic Worship
in the Middle Ages
James Monti
This incomparable volume presents a comprehensive
exploration and explanation of medieval
liturgical celebrations. The reverent prayers,
hymns and rubrics used in the Middle Ages are
described in detail and interpreted through the
commentary of scholars from the same time period,
the era which is also known as the “Age of Faith”.
Collected here is a wide range of ceremonies,
encompassing the seven sacraments, the major
feasts of the liturgical year (such as Christmas,
Easter, and Corpus Christi), and special liturgical
rites (from the coronation of the pope to the blessing
of expectant mothers). The sacred celebrations
have been drawn from countries across western
and central Europe—from Portugal to Poland—but
particular attention has been given to liturgical
texts of medieval Spain, which until now have
received relatively little attention from scholars.
Historian James Monti has done exhaustive
research on medieval liturgical manuscripts, early
printed missals, and the writings of medieval liturgists
and theologians so that the treasures they
contain can inspire a sense of the sacred in future
generations of Catholics.
“James Monti’s treatise is an astonishing
achievement, a book that can and will shape a
new generation of intellectuals who are serious
about the Catholic liturgy. Despite the title, this
book is not only about medieval liturgy. It’s
about inspiring the creation of, and the provision
of access to, truly sacred spaces in our time, even
in a world that seems so barren of them.”
Jeffrey Tucker, Managing Editor, Sacred Music
James Monti is an author and historian who has
contributed numerous articles to Catholic publications,
including the monthly missal Magnificat. His
other books include The King’s Good Servant But
God’s First: The Life & Writings of St. Thomas More,
The Week of Salvation and In the Presence of Our Lord.
SENSA-P . . . 750 pp, Sewn Softcover, $34.95
online at www.ignatius.com
A indicates availability as an audio download on ignatius.com