The Mass is a central and essential part of the Christian life, the very source and summit of our devotion and piety. Instituted by Jesus Himself at the Last Supper and faithfully passed on by the apostles and their successors, it is not merely a memorial of the passion, death, and resurrection of our Savior, but a true participation in His one redeeming sacrifice. It does not merely praise and invoke God, but causes Him to be really, truly, and substantially present. It is through the Mass that we become closest to Jesus, and mystically partake in His passion, death, and resurrection. It is through the Mass that we receive the ;Bread of the Angels,; which imparts to our fragile human nature the eternal life of God Himself.Saint Bonaventures Expositio Missae (;Exposition of the Mass;) offers inspiring and touching insight into the multiple layers of meaning and symbolism embodied within the sacred actions of the Eucharistic celebration. Also offered in this volume are some of the Seraphic Doctors beautiful and passionate prayers, including those to be said before Mass, before the reception of Holy Communion, and after Mass. As Saint Bonaventure says, with this book, you will be able to ;hear the most holy Mass with the greatest possible devotion and reverence.;

Discover the Seraphic Doctors Profound Reflections on Our Blessed MotherIn Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint Bonaventure, the "Seraphic Doctor," offers a profound investigation into the Blessed Virgin Marys distinctive role in humanity's redemption.Originally penned as a humble tribute to Marys virtues and divine favor, this work illuminates the depths of her sanctity and her pivotal role in the salvation of souls. Beginning with meditations on the angelic salutation, this enduring text advances into reflections on Marys purity, her spiritual endowments, the layered significance and manifold meanings of her name, her singular virtues triumphing over vice, and Marys intimate communion with God. Each passage unveils a deeply theological and poetic homage to Marys sanctity, drawing from Scripture and the wisdom of early Church Fathers.For readers eager to enrich their devotion or develop a more refined theological comprehension, Mirror of the Blessed Virgin Mary presents a clear and elegantly crafted window into Marian spirituality, guiding readers ever closer toward Our Blessed Mother as an exemplar of faith, virtue, and divine grace.

From the pulpit of the cross, Christ gave His final and most riveting sermon: His seven last words. In times past, Christ frequently spoke in parables, but no more. No, Christ penned these words with His royal blood like a calligrapher using the most delicate of strokes. Christ´s seven last words are the greatest utterances ever recorded in the history of the world-greater than the words of any esteemed orator, heroic leader, or even saint, because they were the last words of God to mankind. They are the "mystical compendium of the entire Gospel," the perfection of the Beatitudes. Yes, Christ saved the best for last, just like at the wedding feast of Cana-only this time, it was the blood and water from His side that were offered freely to His own bride, the Church. In this engrossing work, the seraphic doctor, Saint Bonaventure, and Arnold of Bonneval, a Benedictine abbot, offer some of the most profound insights into the seven last words of Christ. Arnold, a friend of Saint Bernard of Clairvaux, is believed to be the first person to write on the seven last words, inspiring Bonaventure. While the seven last words have been glossed over for centuries by Christians, it is now time to uncover their hidden and powerful meaning-for there is no greater meditation than pondering the Teacher's last lecture. In Christ's seven last words, we find the necessary direction to reach the heights of perfection.