As we begin a teaching series this year identifying the “Thick Practice” of our community as contemplating the Trinity, we may wonder - where did that phrase come from? The answer is this book: Contemplating the Trinity, by Fr. Raniero Cantalamessa.
For those of you not familiar with Fr. Cantalamessa, he is an important figure in the Catholic Church. He has been the preacher to the papal household since 1980! A leader in the Catholic Charismatic movement, Cantalamessa is also a prolific author, writing well-known books such as The Sober Intoxication of the Spirit (one of those books that blesses you just by reading the title!)
Contemplating the Trinity was first published in Italian in 2002, and translated into English in 2007. The book begins with a series of three icons that portray the Trinity - first among them the Rublev icon that has been so important to us at Christ the Reconciler. As is appropriate for that beginning, Cantalamessa begins with an exploration of the Trinity in Eastern thought - after all, the Nicene Creed is a gift to the global church primarily from our Eastern Orthodox brothers and sisters, whose tradition explores the depths of the mystery of the Trinity.
From there the topics that Fr. Cantalamessa explores include prayer, beauty, and communion - all highly relevant to our life and vision at Christ the Reconciler. This is a great book to read in this season of our life, and return to frequently as part of our “Thick Practice” in years to come.