The Sacrament of Charity

Benedict XVI's first post-synodal apostolic exhortation, signed on 22 February 2007, on the Eucharist as the source and summit of the Church's life and mission. It gathers the work of the Synod of Bishops held in Rome in October 2005. After an introduction it has three parts: the Eucharist as a mystery to be believed (the Trinity, Christ the true sacrificial Lamb, the Spirit, the Church, the other sacraments, eschatology and Mary); as a mystery to be celebrated (the art of celebrating, the structure of the Mass, active and interior participation, adoration); and as a mystery to be lived, with the Eucharist shaping Christian life and the Church's social witness. The full English text is free on vatican.va.