Heart of the Christian Life: Thoughts on the Holy Mass

The celebration of the Eucharist, in which Jesus Christ becomes present, is the center of the Catholic faith. This volume brings together substantive texts of the Holy Father on the many aspects and dimensions of the Mass and the Mystery of the Eucharist, a rich source for every Christian and a spur to reflection and personal prayer. Delivered in addresses and homilies to a wide variety of audiences, these reflections reveal the depth and breadth of Pope Benedict XVI's profound and life-long love for the Holy Eucharist.

A major theme throughout the works of Joseph Ratzinger, the Real Presence of Jesus in the Eucharist is the Church's source of life, unity and fruitfulness. This theme has been carried deeply into his pontificate, as can be seen in this collection, which challenges the faithful to believe that by receiving Christ in Holy Communion, they are drawn not only into the community that is Christ's Body, the Church, but into the very life of God.

"In these collected talks we find, one might say, the quintessential Benedict. Those who have read his Jesus of Nazareth, The Spirit of the Liturgy or his other works will recognize here that amazing concord which he always achieves by bringing effortlessly together sound biblical scholarship (he ranges easily over Law, prophets, Gospels and Epistles), deep love for the Eucharist, and an unflagging pastoral tone which addresses us laity in language that we can grasp. The selections are brief, hence the volume offers readers very accessible 'devotional' reading." —Thomas Howard Author, If Your Mind Wanders at Mass