In the Gospels, Jesus assures us, “I am with you always” (Matthew 28:20). Jesus has entrusted himself, his Presence, to the Church through the Sacraments. He is with us today in these seven unique signs. The collection of readings in Encountering Christ in the Sacraments: A Primary Source Reader aims to help you learn more about the Seven Sacraments and how you can meet Christ today in and through them.

Within this reader you will find writings from:

• Pope John Paul II
• Pope Benedict XVI / Joseph Cardinal Ratzinger
• Brennan Manning
• The Councils of Florence, Trent, and Vatican II
• John Shea
• Saint John Chrysostom
• John Vanier
• Monika Hellwig
• Aidan Kavanaugh
• Saint John Damascene
• Cardinal Avery Dulles
• Edward Schillebeeckx
• Pope Pius XII
• Origen
• Saint Catherine of Siena

This text is the perfect complement to courses on the liturgy and the Sacraments, including those that correspond to the U.S. bishops’ Curriculum Framework course titled “Sacraments as Privileged Encounters with Jesus Christ.”