The Origin of Our Rituals

THE AUTHOR'S INTERWOVEN DESCRIPTIONS OF HISTORIC DATA PROVIDE A SENSE OF THE IMPORTANT ROLE THAT RITUALS HAVE PLAYED IN THE EVERYDAY LIFE OF CHRISTIANS FOR THE PAST TWO MILLENNIA. THROUGH CONCISE AND CANDID ACCOUNTS ACCOMPANIED WITH A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF THE FAITH SANDSTAD INVITES US ALL TO BECOME PASSIONATE ABOUT WHAT WE BELIEVE AND PRACTICE IN ORDER TO CHERISH TRANSMIT AND RADIATE THE BEAUTY OF THE CATHOLIC HERITAGE. What earlier generations held as sacred remains sacred and great for us too and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church's faith and prayer and to give them their proper place. -Pope Benedict XVI- Vatican City