The Cross aind its suffering are at the very centre of the Christian faith, but all too frequently the Crucifixion is seen as a frightening spectacle linked with the notion of God the Father exercising punitive justice on his Son for the sins of mankind. Father Philippe de la Trinité demonstrates in this book that this view is not in accordance with the evidence and the revelation of God's love and compassion for his creatures. He begins with a chapter entided “Distorting Mirrors", a selection of quotations from theologians over the past three hundred years which show that the notion of retribution and punishment has gained an erroneous acceptance in spite of the contrary tradition to be found in the writings of St Thomas Aquinas and the mystical writers from St John of the Cross to St Teresa of the Child Jesus. He then goes on to survey the mystery of the Redemption from the Fall to the triumph of the Ascension. Then follow three chapters devoted to a full and explicit consideration of what the Redemption really means. In his conclusion, Father Philippe emphasizes that the mystery of Christ demands above all love at the very heart of the mystical body.