Martos, Joseph. Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church. 3rd ed.
Osborne, Kenan B. The Christian Sacraments of Initiation: Baptism, Confirmation, Eucharist. New York, NY-Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1987.
Systematic exploration of the sacraments of initiation, always beginning with the present teaching of the Roman Catholic Church, then surveying the historical data concerning its liturgical celebration, and concluding with the present ritual forms in which the sacrament is celebrated and major strands of thinking about it. Concise bibliographies and good discussion questions.
Turner, Paul. Confirmation: The Baby in Solomon’s Court. New York, NY—Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1993.
Outlines seven models of Confirmation grounded in the practices of the Christian churches: 1) RCIA: Confirmation immediately following the water baptism of adult elect and leading to immediate first reception of eucharist; 2) Chrismation: all new members, including infants, chrismated immediately after water baptism; 3) Protestant-Anglican churches: offer optional confirmation to their members, perhaps employing oil; 4) Roman Catholic initiation of those baptized in another denomination by means of Profession of Faith and confirmation; 5) Roman Catholic initiation of those baptized as infants celebrating confirmation at a later age, but before first reception of eucharist; 6) Roman Catholic initiation of those baptized in infancy and admitted to reception of eucharist at the “age of reason”, but confirmed as adolescents; 7) Confirmation of persons in danger of death. Strengths and weaknesses of each model.
Macy, Gary. The Banquet’s Wisdom: A Short History of the Theologies of the Lord’s Supper. New York, NY—Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 1992.
Adverts to the problem of writing “history” of church/eucharist: whose is it? Demonstrates the origins of diversity in the early church and the patristic period, as well as diversity in practice in the early Middle Ages. Traces the decline of diversity in the later Middle Ages, and the denial of diversity in the Protestant and Catholic Reformers of the 16th century. Short attempt to indicate “what can be learned” from this history.
Power, David. The Eucharistic Mystery: Revitalizing the Tradition. New York, NY: Crossroad, 1992.
Post-modern context for eucharistic theology. Examining and Re-reading New Testament eucharistic texts. Eucharistic practice, prayers, and theology before and after Nicea. Eucharistic social implications and devotion in high medieval society; development of eucharistic doctrine from Berengar to the Council of Trent, with special emphasis on Thomas Aquinas. Contemporary re-readings of Aquinas’ eucharistic theology and further developments: sacrament of the church, memorial and representation, revitalizing eucharistic prayer and practice.
Osborne, Kenan. Reconciliation and justification: the sacrament and its theology. New York, NY: Paulist, 1990.
Kasper, Walter. Theology of Christian Marriage. New York, NY: Crossroad, 1983.
Human values of marriage: personal, fruitful, faithful love. Sacramental dignity of marriage: founded in creation, developed as a sacramental sign of Christ, sacrament of the Church, eschatological sign. Unity and indissolubility of marriage. Christian marriage in contemporary society.
Lawler, Michael G. Marriage and Sacrament: A Theology of Christian Marriage. Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1993.
Marriage and the sacrament of marriage: meanings, biblical foundations, history, dissolution. Contemporary disputed questions.
Schillebeeckx, Edward. Marriage: Human Reality and Saving Mystery. London: Sheed and Ward, 1965.
Exhaustive treatment of marriage in the Old and New Testaments and in the History of the Church. Conclusions: Marriage is without qualification a secular reality, fully human and consequently subject to development and evolution; this reality has not been somehow “added” to salvation, but has been included in salvation in its total and human dimension.
Thomas, David M. Christian Marriage: A Journey Together. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1983.
Marriage considered under the following headings: charted in theology; founded on love; expressed in sex; celebrated in ritual; seasoned through change; blessed with children; deepened by spirituality; experienced as sacrament.
Bernier, Paul. Ministry in the Church: A Historical and Pastoral Approach. Mystic, CT: Twenty-Third Publications, 1992.
Foundations (27–70 CE). Charism and ministry (70—110 CE). Mono-episcopate as ministry (110—313 CE). Priesthood as ministry (313—500 CE). Monasticization of ministry (500—1054 CE). Hierarchy and ministry (1055—1414 CE). Reformation of ministry (1415—1565 CE). Cultic ministry (1565—1962 CE). Reappraising ministry (1962—1965). Unresolved problems in ministry (1965-2000). Future ministry.
Drilling, Peter. Trinity and Ministry. Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 1991.
Constructing a ministerial theology (radically Christo-centric, employing Rahner’s theology of the symbol and Lonergan’s transcendental precepts). Ministry of all the baptized and ministry of the ordained among the Christian people. Contemporary issues: women in ministry, mutual recognition of ordained ministries, inculturating ministry in the USA, interior formation of the Christian minister.
Mitchell, Nathan. Mission and Ministry: History and Theology in the Sacrament of Order. Wilmington, DE: Michael Glazier, 1982.
Priesthood in the experience of Israel. Earliest patterns of Christian Ministry. Ministry in the Later New Testament Period. Christian Priesthood: succession, ordination, jurisdiction, sacramental development. A Theology of Holy Orders.