Books

Martyrs And Saints In Catholic Liturgy by K.G. Mortensen

Reviewed by Michael Daniel

Contents - Nov 2000 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Pope John Paul II on the Eucharist - Michael Gilchrist Canonisation of 120 Chinese martyrs: has much changed under communism? - AD2000 Report News: The Church Around the World Enneagram Workshop Toowoomba's 'Creating Our Future' - or a recipe for further decline? - Michael Gilchrist Irish missionary sisters combat AIDS in Africa Fr Francis Harman RIP: bioethicist of distinction - Dr Joseph Santamaria The right to work: central to the Catholic Church's social teaching - Patrick Byrne The Great Jubilee: reaffirming the spiritual power of indulgences - Catherine Cavanagh New lay apostolate: Confraternity of the Holy Name of Jesus - Barry O'Brien Science and Christianity: can they co-exist in the new millennium? - Stephen Hitchings Books: 'Lourdes: The Original File by a Skeptic Turned Believer' by J.B. Estrade - Katie Lindorff (reviewer) Books: A CD-ROM 'Virtual Tour' of St Peter's Basilica - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: Casta Meretrix: An Essay on the Eccesiology of St Ambrose, Cardinal Biffi - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Hungry For God: Practical Help in Personal Prayer by Ralph Martin - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Books: Martyrs And Saints In Catholic Liturgy by K.G. Mortensen - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Reflection: Brother Andrew (1928-2000): returning to spiritual basics - Brother Andrew

Martyrs And Saints In Catholic Liturgy (From Advent to Lent) by K.G. Mortensen (Gerald Griffin Press, 1999, 91pp. Can be purchased direct from publisher, 156 The Avenue, Parkville Vic 3052. The price $29.70 includes postage and GST.)

Martyrs and Saints is a collection of biographies of the Saints whose feast days are celebrated in the liturgy in the months of December to March. These short biographies provide an excellent introduction to the life and work of each of the saints whom the Church remembers in her liturgy during this period of the year.

During these months, the feast days of some of the best known and best loved saints are celebrated, including Sts Joseph, Patrick, John Bosco and Francis Xavier. Not only does the author provide a brief biography of each saint, but he also focuses upon the lasting, or enduring message that each saint has for Christians.

This work would not only be a useful resource for those who attend weekday Mass regularly, but also for those involved in liturgy preparation and education.

Michael E. Daniel teaches at a Melbourne independent college.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 13 No 10 (November 2000), p. 17