Books

For the Life of the World:St Maximilian and the Eucharist, by Fr Jerzy Domanski

Reviewed by Michael Gilchrist

Contents - Feb 2006 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Catholic schools: how much accountability? - Michael Gilchrist Cardinal Arinze on the Liturgy: the Mass is not entertainment - Cardinal Francis Arinze News: The Church Around the World Catechesis: Latest research on Catholic school leavers - Michael Gilchrist Education: Catholic Church and her schools face a 'wake-up call' - Bishop Geoffrey Jarrett Liturgical Music: The spiritual impact of Msgr. Richard Schuler's priestly leadership and example - Fr John T. Zuhlsdorf Priestly vocations: the key role of bishops - John Mallon New Age paganism's creeping influence within the Church - Wanda Skowronska Blessed Charles de Foucauld: seeking nothing but God's will - Dr Frank Mobbs The Church of England: beyond satire? - Rev Peter Mullen Letters: Clerical Celibacy (letter) - Fr Adrian Head Letters: All Saints Day (letter) - M & L Morrissey Letters: Ars priests retreat - Fr Robert Markey Letters: Wrong chord? (letter) - John Daly Prayer: The Abandonment Prayer of Charles de Foucauld Letters: Beautiful music (letter) - Josephine Landsberg Letters: Cardinal von Galen (letter) - Denise M. Cameron Letters: Survival of the fittest (letter) - Arthur Negus Letters: Evolutionism - Fr G.H. Duggan SM Letters: Intelligent design (letter) - Paul MacLeod Letters: Homilies (letter) - Robert Prinzen-Wood Letters: Catholic magazines needed in India - Fr A. Joseph Letters: EWTN tapes available - Harry and Antoinette Zwaans Books: Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church - Peter Westmore (reviewer) Books: The Pope Benedict Code, by Joanna Bogle - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: For the Life of the World:St Maximilian and the Eucharist, by Fr Jerzy Domanski - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Books: CATHOLIC FAMILY CATECHISM: Disciples' Edition and Apostles' Edition, Fr Tierney - Michael Gilchrist (reviewer) Events: Virtus - Retreat for Young Men Events: Lecture on the Compendium of the Catechism - Msgr Peter Elliott Books: Stimulating reading from AD Books Reflection: The hidden treasure of the Holy Mass - St Leonard of Port Maurice

For the Life of the World presents a concise survey of St Maximilian Kolbe's spirituality, with its focus on the Eucharist and Mary.

The book was first written at the time of Maximilian's canonisation by John Paul II in 1982. The English translator, Fr Peter D. Fehlner, states as the book's aim, "to clarify and promote what is central in this Saint of the Immaculate". This involves "total consecration to the Immaculate" and "total identification of one's own will with hers, of one's own fiat with her fiat". This in turn centres on Christ's sacrificial death on the cross, "a mystery prolonged for us in the Eucharist."

Fr Felix Rossetti, in his Preface to the original 1982 edition, explains St Maximilian's approach as follows: "Perfect devotion to Mary coincides with adoring love for Christ really present, in His divinity and in His humanity, under the eucharistic species. To love Mary is the equivalent of loving and praising her Son, Jesus. St Maximilian's love for the Immaculate was in direct proportion to his love for his eucharistic Lord."

For the Life of the World includes a chronological outline of the life of St Maximilian and then draws on his writings as well as the recollections of those who knew him to provide well- rounded examinations of his spirituality. Included are sections devoted to the priesthood, the celebration of Mass, Eucharistic adoration and the role of Mary.

This little book makes for inspirational reading at a time when many Catholics' understanding of the Eucharist has become distorted or secularised, with a consequent loss of reverence towards the real presence.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 19 No 1 (February 2006), p. 18