Customer Reviews

Faith of Our Fathers (Continuums Icons)

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In this book, Duffy presents 19 essays on various important subjects within Roman Catholicism, such as Marian devotion, Purgatory, and the place of the Pope. Duffy explains and argues for the retention and rediscovery of traditional (read: pre-Vatican II) practice and belief, convinicingly but not exhaustively. Duffy's fresh perspective will make the average Progressive Catholic re-evaluate his or her positions on traditional doctrines and practices of the Church.

All in all, I highly recommend this book for any person interested in the Roman Catholic faith, and especially for any Roman Catholic looking for a starting point in (re-)discovering his or her roots.

Eamon Duffy's thoughtfully drawn, spacious intelligence makes everything he writes worthwhile. He's a magnificent writer - the prose alone is enough to compel a read. His ideas are firm, but supple and surprising - he's no integrist. His bright touch is just what's needed in the new liturgical movement, however it turns out. Duffy's is an erudition that widens every prospect along the way. This book's a joy to read for all those reasons, and its argument for a once again organic consideration of liturgical orthodoxy is convincing. The chapter on the mass Sacrifice and the liturgical life of that central Sacrament is limpid, even elegant, and breathes a calming fortitude. Heady stuff, and beautiful writing, &ditto the chapter 'Why The Pope?' - Duffy is a historian with a cooly enervating style that positively captivates in strikingly memorable approaches to English prose, all without the least pretension, and with expressive clarity. Faith of Our Fathers is a diamond exposition of the Catholic faith that for many will prove a bellweather of recovered riches.

This is a wonderful book and we could expect no less from Eamon Duffy. It is an intelligent, frank assessment of catholic traditions which will be of interest both to liberal and traditionalist catholics alike.