Understanding the Sacraments is a popular guide for prayer and study of all seven sacraments, designed for use by individuals and groups. In this guide, Fr. Peter Stravinskas gives clear and faithful Catholic teaching in chapters on each of the seven sacraments. Everyday examples and anecdotes enliven the text. An introductory chapter explains the meaning of the word "sacrament", while the closing chapter tells how to recover a sense of the sacred in the liturgy and how to receive God's healing through the sacraments.

To help apply the teaching, frank and thoughtful questions for group discussion are included at the end of all the chapters--making this guide ideal for use in any parish or religious education program.

Whether at home, your parish, or in a prayer or study group, this popular guide will help the reader come to a deeper understanding of the sacraments and their important place in your Christian life.

"The understanding of the sacraments which Father Stravinskas vigorously promotes in this book is intimately linked with the understanding of Christ. The author fortunately refers the reader again and again to the doctrine of the Catechism of the Catholic Church. From there as well as from the documents of the Second Vatican Council he draws the focus of the treatment: the sacraments are actions of Christ. It is Christ who is active in the administration and the reception of each sacrament. Each sacrament is an extension of His Paschal Mystery offered to the believer here and now. This truth is indicated by the blood and water flowing from the Savior's wounded side, the fountain of sacramental life in the Church and particularly of Baptism and the Eucharist."
Cardinal Paul Augustin Mayer, O.S.B.

Fr. Peter Stravinskas is the well-known editor of The Catholic Answer magazine. He is the author of several books including The Catholic Church and the Bible.