The revised liturgies of the Catholic Church reveal a development not only in liturgical practice but also in the theology of the sacraments and in the Church's understanding of its ministry. The documents collected in this book present a rich pastoral and sacramental theology. The renewal of the liturgy must be seen in the context of the Church's developing understanding of herself, her structures, her mission, her relationship to the Lord
and to the world. The Church gives living expression in its ritual acts of worship to what it believes about
God and man, and the pastoral instructions and introductions which preface each new rite clearly and simple expound this belief. Whether in marriage or the burial of the dead, the baptism of children or the ordination of a priest, one finds here a concern for people, a sense of mission to the congregation and to the world, an awareness of the duty to give constant praise and thanks to the Father through his Son, a desire to make possible real celebration of the mysteries of faith. These instructions and introductions ask 'What is being symbolised by this sacrament? How best can this be given expression? What are the optimum conditions for a worthy celebration?' Readers of all denominations will find here a clear and approachable exposition of the Catholic Church's view of its sacramental ministry.