Masters of Preaching: The Most Poignant and Powerful Homilists in Church History

(Paperback)

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The history of Catholic homiletics is rich and layered with theology and spirituality. Every period of Church history contains preachers who have been blessed with oratorical skills and spiritual depth. They are saints, scholars, bishops, priests, and deacons from the Eastern and Western traditions. Masters of Preachingthe first book of its kindlays the foundations for a deeper understanding of Christian preaching. It is an important contribution to the subjects of history and preaching. This exceptional text sheds light on the lives and sermons of the Churchs most talented preachers. Through the lives and works of thirty-one men, the reader will experience fine sermons from the most eloquent homilists. There is much to learn from this important book.

Reviews

The Catholic Church has been blessed with fine preachers throughout her two thousand year history. Their words continue to inspire those who read them. I am pleased to recommend Masters of Preaching. This book provides the reader a history of preaching from the perspective of those who have [actually] preached. I hope that readers will learn much from the Churchs best homilists. -- Most Reverend Jerome Hanus, O.S.B., Archbishop of Dubuque
Here is a lucid, comprehensive book on preaching from a Catholic perspective. Father Atwood reaches deep into the Churchs long tradition of great homilists and makes their wisdom and gifts readily available to todays seminarians, priests, and especially lay ministers eager for inspiration and guidance. The book describes preaching styles and themes from a wide variety of ancient and contemporary sources, always with an eye to helping homilists deepen their own spiritual awareness and hence increase the impact of their words. The book includes a sample homily from each homilist discussed and invites readers to see for themselves these . . . wonderful examples of preaching in practice. -- Allen J. Frantzen, professor and faculty scholar, Loyola University, Chicago
A priest of Dubuque has written a most useful guide for anyone who wishes to consider more seriously the fact that preaching is, in the clear teaching of the Council of Trent, the Primum Officium of the priesthood.Ray E. Atwood provides the historical schema for the development of various schools and styles of preaching, from the Hebrew prophets to the twentieth century, with typical sermons and homilies in accessible translation. * The Catholic Historical Review *

Author Bio

Reverend Ray E. Atwood is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. He has been pastor of Holy Rosary Cluster in Elma, Iowa, for the past six years.