Eight Sermons on the Priesthood, Altar, and Sacrifice
Written by Mayow Wynell Mayow
Chaptra reads alongside you — AI insights, chapter breakdowns and reader discussions for every book. Join free
About this book
Read it with a club
Small groups reading the same books and talking as they go.
News
- 4 members
- 1,813 discussions
- Active Sep 11
Read Eight Sermons on the Priesthood, Altar, and Sacrifice alongside people who are reading it too.
Also here: News Bulletin, Just Joking....
Chaptra Prime — paid clubs, every club feature, and unlimited reading support, for $5 a month or $60 once.
See PrimeReading guide
Themes, characters and key ideas in Eight Sermons on the Priesthood, Altar, and Sacrifice, written by Chaptra AI.
- about 8 hours
- advanced
- didactic
- reverent
- polemical
Mayow Wynell Mayow's "Eight Sermons on the Priesthood, Altar, and Sacrifice" is a late 19th-century theological defense of traditional Catholic doctrines concerning the sacred ministry, eucharistic sacrifice, and the altar. Delivered in 1866, these sermons aim to counter contemporary criticisms and theological confusion by reasserting the enduring significance and divine institution of these practices. The work emphasizes a return to the ancient foundations of Christian faith, utilizing scriptural and theological arguments to underscore the continuity of these beliefs from the earliest Christian times. Mayow champions the necessity of the priestly function and sacramental practices as vital components of Christian worship and spiritual life, presenting them as invaluable 'treasures' often overlooked in their simplicity. Ultimately, it serves as an apologetic treatise reinforcing the high church perspective against modern theological skepticism.
“In an age of doubt and confusion, it is to the ancient foundations of faith that we must ever return.”
Key themes
- The Divine Institution of the Priesthood
- Mayow argues fervently that the Christian priesthood is not a human construct but a direct continuation of Christ's own ministry, established by Him and passed down through apostolic succession. He emphasizes its unique authority and essential role in mediating grace and administering sacraments, distinguishing it sharply from a merely functional or congregational ministry.
- The Nature of the Altar and Sacrifice
- Central to Mayow's argument is the reassertion of the altar as a sacred space for true sacrifice, not merely a communal table. He contends that the Christian altar is the fulfillment of Old Testament altars, where the 'unbloody Sacrifice' of the Eucharist (the Body and Blood of Christ) is offered, making present Christ's one sacrifice on Calvary. This challenges Protestant views of the Eucharist as solely a memorial.
- Defense of Orthodoxy and Anti-Modernism
- The sermons are explicitly an apologetic work, defending what Mayow considers orthodox Catholic (Anglo-Catholic) beliefs against 'contemporary criticism' and 'confusion of modern theology.' He implicitly critiques Protestant and liberal theological interpretations that he believes diminish the sacredness and necessity of the priesthood and sacrificial worship, advocating for a firm adherence to established doctrine.
Worth discussing
How does Mayow's argument for the 'ancient foundations' of faith resonate or conflict with contemporary theological approaches?
Chapter-by-chapter breakdowns, character arcs and the full thematic analysis come with a free account.
Discussions
No one has started one yet
Questions this book opens up
No discussions yet
Be the first to start a discussion about this book!
Sign up to start the discussionReviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to review this book!