This insightful collection of essays focuses on Christ’s saving work and presence in the Church through the sacrament of Orders. The essays on Christ and his work draw creatively upon the Christology of St. Thomas and the soteriology of St. Anselm. The essays on Orders range from a treatment of the priestly representation of Christ to the nature of the "character" imparted by the sacrament of Orders. The last essay, with Professor Lawrence Welch, explains the coherence and integrity of the teaching of Presbyterorum ordinis.
"Guy Mansini has a remarkable ability to penetrate to the core of theological questions and controversies. His essays are more than learned, careful, and clear; they manifest the virtue of theological wisdom."
—R. R. Reno, Creighton University
"By gently dismantling a host of venerable myths, Guy Mansini's essay on the Benedictine origins of St. Anselm's concept of satisfaction proves worth the price of this book all by itself. But Fr. Mansini does far more. Listening carefully to theologians past and present, rigorously analyzing the issues, and quietly declining to join in fruitless stand-offs between opposing schools, he shows—far better than a treatise on method could—an inviting way forward for Catholic theology today."
—Bruce Marshall, Professor of Historical Theology, Southern Methodist University
"Theology always needs to appropriate the monastic and contemplative contexts of the tradition for any serious speculative engagement with the Church's teachings. In these extraordinarily illuminating essays, Fr. Guy Mansini opens up the sapiential and sciential dimensions of the questions explored. The author's humility before the reality and truth of Christ and His Church enables his contemplative wisdom to enlighten and guide his intelligent and penetrating scholarship. We are all in Fr. Mansini's debt for his Benedictine explorations."
—Matthew L. Lamb, Professor of Theology, Ave Maria University
"This welcome volume is a tour de force of theological inquiry and engagement at its best. Gracefully written and lucidly argued, the chapters form an integral unity centered in the person and work of Christ, and unfolding into the doctrines of Redemption, Church, and Sacraments. Utterly relevant to the present theological discussion, these philosophically astute explorations offer urgently needed theological clarification and orientation. This book signals the beginning of a return of classic Catholic dogmatic theology. It should find a place on the reading lists of all Catholic seminaries and universities."
—Reinhard Hütter, Professor of Christian Theology, Duke University Divinity School
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