The Catholic Church's response to the 21st century through the lens of "virtue morality."

"From the pen of a premier liturgist, this work brings together in a rare synthesis three theological themes often left isolation: ecclesiology, ethics and liturgy. The golden thread tying them together is the promotion of a virtuous life modeled on the life of Jesus. With his trademark elegant style, lucidity of thought, and deep and wideranging scholarship, Kevin Seasoltz offers us a vision of a 'virtuous church' so apposite for the needs of the church in our time, lately battered by scandals of all kinds. This book will help set the church on the right course again. The entire church owes him a huge debt!" —Peter Phan, Georgetown University

Today's multicultural and multi-traditioned world greatly influences the life of the Catholic Church. Fr. Seasoltz explores the impact of such trends, as globalization, the migration of peoples, the ecological crisis, and the geographical shift in Christianity from the North to the South. He maintains that even in a world strikingly different from that of biblical times, a key to church renewal lies in the moral teachings of Jesus.

Topics examined include the development of "virtue morality" and its practice in today's Catholic Church; tensions between local churches and the universal church; and the celebration of the liturgy and the sacraments. Throughout, the focus is on the positive—what can be gained from a renewed emphasis on Christian virtues.

R. Kevin Seasoltz, OSB, is a professor emeritus of liturgy at St. Johns's University, Collegeville, and the editor of the liturgical journal Worship. His most recent books include the award-winning A Sense of the Sacred: Theological Foundations of Christian Architecture and Art (Continuum, 2005) and God's Gift Giving: In Christ and through the Spirit (Continuum, 2007).