Contemplating the Trinity: The Path to the Abundant Christian Life

by Raniero Cantalamessa

Unity, joy, simplicity, beauty, truth—these are the hallmarks of the three Persons in one God, the Trinity. In Contemplating the Trinity, Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa, the preacher to the papal household, invites readers to turn to the Trinity so that they can enter into and experience the relationship of love that the divine Persons share with one another. Convinced that Christians today need a spirituality that is more clearly trinitarian, Fr. Cantalamessa draws from theology, spirituality, and art to articulate this new perspective and its implications. As readers accept Christ’s invitation to immerse themselves in the “bottomless sea without shores” that is the Trinity, they will find themselves on a journey that promises a deeper understanding of how this relationship of love can be our standard for holiness.

Genres: Catholic, Theology, Spirituality

132 pages, Paperback

First published January 2, 2007

About the author

Father Raniero Cantalamessa is a Franciscan Capuchin Catholic Priest. Born in Ascoli Piceno, Italy, 22 July 1934, ordained priest in 1958. Divinity Doctor (Fribourg 1962) and Doctor in classical literature (Milan 1966). Former Ordinary Professor of History of Ancient Christianity and Director of the Department of Religious Sciences at the Catholic University of Milan. Member of the International Theological Commission (1975-1981) and for 12 years member of the Catholic Delegation for the dialogue with the Pentecostal Churches.

In 1979 he resigned his teaching position to become a full time preacher of the Gospel. In 1980 he was appointed by Pope John Paul II Preacher to the Papal Household and confirmed in that position by pope Benedict XVI in 2005. In this capacity he preaches a weekly sermon in Advent and Lent in the presence of the Pope, the cardinals, bishops an prelates of the Roman Curia and the general superiors of religious orders. He is also frequently invited to speak in many countries around the world, both to Catholic and Protestant audiences.

He has received an Honorary degree in Laws from Notre Dame University (Indiana), in Sciences of communication from the University of Macerata (Italy) and in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville (Ohio).
In addition to his early scholar books on patristic Christology, Easter in the Ancient Church and other topics he has published numerous books on spirituality fruit of his preaching to the papal Household, translated in more than twenty foreign languages.
For 14 years, from 1994 to 2010 he has run a weekly program on the first channel of the Italian state television (RAI) on the Gospel of the following Sunday.

From 2009, when he is not engaged in preaching, he lives in an hermitage, at Cittaducale (Rieti) ministering to a small community of cloistered nuns.
The 18 July 2013 he has been confirmed by pope Francis as Preacher to the Papal Household.

Reviews

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a collection of meditations (think of homilies) given in 2000 and 2001 to the papal household (under Pope Benedict XVI). I worried that this book would be very difficult to read, but the author does an excellent job of inviting the audience into living the Trinity more than understanding it, because frankly it is far beyond our understanding. I especially found chapter 4 on hypocrisy to be extremely relevant for me, without giving too much away about my own struggles! It's a short read that deepened my awareness and appreciation for the abundant Christian life. Enjoy!

[Chris (thebookaholic) Padgett · Rating 5 out of 5]

Read anything you can by him and it will likely be fantastic!

[Matt Reser · Rating 5 out of 5]

Solid 5 stars. The basic message is by contemplating the Trinity many of our problems within the world and our hearts will be burned away. This book features incredibly deep yet approachable meditations on the mystery of the Trinity. However, there is a substantial amount of application in this book which is what I love the most. The trinity is the central doctrine in Christianity yet it remains glued to the pages of "theology" books. There are a few minor things that I wish the book had, but judging the book for what it is, I would say it's incredible.

[Joonas Laajanen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great insights. The author is Roman Catholic and at some points it comes out in cringy statements (from a Protestant point of view). Still, worth the read.

[Brian Corbin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent reflection and analytical review of systematic theology and its connections to morality and spirituality. I heard him speak for a week in Guadalajara Mexico using this framework for part of his talk on Spirituality and leadership as Caritas leader. Excellent.