The Glorious Sacrifice of the Lamb. The Mass and Christian Life
(Portsmouth: Mary House Press, 2024).
Review by Myriam Tothill
Glory is not a word often associated with sacrifice. In the very title of his work, Fr. Serafino presents us with what is, to modern ears particularly, an unusual concept, something to make us think, to use a much overused phrase, outside of the box. Glorious is often used to describe beauty and achievement. On the other hand, we live in a society which abhors pain of any kind, preferring to die rather than endure it and even to kill rather than watch others endure it and the word sacrifice is associated almost exclusively with pain and suffering. The juxtaposition of these terms brings to mind Simeon’s prophecy concerning Christ: He will be a sign of contradiction...So we know right from the beginning, before we have even opened the book, that this will be a work challenging us to think about the Mass in unaccustomed ways.
As he explores the true nature of sacrifice – to make something holy - the author leads us into a re-evaluation of our attitudes towards pain and enables us to see that it is inextricably linked with achievement and beauty: the stunning beauty of profound love revealed by the willingness to endure any level of suffering for the sake of the beloved. The greater the suffering willingly endured, and St. John’s gospel makes it quite clear that Christ fully embraced it, the greater the profundity and beauty of the love such endurance reveals. On a practical level, he, the author suggests we detach ourselves for a while before Mass from the distractions of endless activity, and the noise it generates, to be able to ponder this deeply in silence so that we can better understand the depth of love Christ shows us in this supreme sacrifice. The more we ponder it, the more we can be drawn to return that love in any which way we can to show our gratitude.
Also on a practical level, a clear explanation is given regarding active participation. This does not necessarily involve physical or vocal activity but participation of the mind and will to adore and give thanks, which is also to obey the first commandment: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole mind, heart and soul. The fact that nobody can actually see or hear us thanking Lord Jesus for all that He has done for us does not undo the action. Similarly, the action of silently offering, as individuals, all we are and have along with the host and wine before consecration is not rendered passive by the silence. Free will is presented as positive action: we choose to follow Christ and return His love as both Christ, “Fiat voluntas Tua”, and indeed His mother, “Fiat mihi secundum verbum Tuum”, did.
This book is particularly suitable as Lenten reading because Fr. Serafino gives a detailed analysis of the Easter Triduum with profound meditations that would enrich anyone’s understanding of the Mass and the roles Christ and His mother, the Blessed Virgin, played in our redemption. These explanations increase the reader’s awareness of the value of suffering for Christ and foster the desire to follow Him and His mother by taking up our own crosses with gratitude at being given chances to show our love for Them both rather than resigning ourselves in obedience to His command to do so. Guidance as to how to follow the Mass with a step-by-step concentration on the Passion while the ritual unfolds adds a practical note that is very helpful, particularly in fighting against distractions.
Although the Rosary has made a bit of a comeback after being downplayed and even openly despised in the years immediately following Vatican ll, the notion of including the role of His mother when mentally following the Passion of Christ for many would be novel. Yet Fr. Serafino suggests that to ignore the role Mary played would be to impoverish our spiritual experience and reduce the benefits we obtain. In great detail, he explains that without her fiat, the Passion could not have happened and just as Christ, of He had not become her Son could not have fulfilled His role, we cannot fulfil our roles as children of God without her. Her intercession is vital whether we acknowledge it or not but, if we do, we can exercise our own free will by consciously imitating St. John and taking her to ourselves. She is the means by which God came to us and, therefore, the means by which we go to Him. Following her with our hearts and minds as she accompanies her Son and imitating her by supporting Him with silent adoration and thanksgiving during His sacrifice is the surest way to participate in it.
Although the concepts presented are very profound, they are expressed in a way which makes them easy to follow. Nobody would need a degree in theology or even more than the most basic training in doctrine to grasp their principle points. That said, frequent reading would enrich our understanding to an extent that might surprise us while at the same time reminding all of us, even those with degrees in theology, that the Mass is a mystery beyond anyone’s full comprehension.
The Glorious Sacrifice of the Lamb is suitable for all types of Masses: traditional Latin, Modern rites with all their changes and even Eastern rites. This is because it focuses on the very essence of the Mass, an essence that can be easily overlooked when concentrating on hymns, activities – standing, sitting, standing, kneeling, standing, kneeling, putting money in the collection plate – all of which can vary according to the tastes and frequent changes imposed by authorities. It is not easy to maintain focus in the many distractions offered by public Mass, particularly a Sunday Mass, but the ideas contained in this work will certainly help us to attend the holy Mass in a way that will enable us to focus more strongly upon God and what He wants than on ourselves and what we want.
- The book can be purchased on the Marian Franciscans’ Website: https://www.themarianfranciscans.org/product-page/the-glorious-sacrifice-of-the-lamb-by-fr-serafino-m-lanzetta
- There will be a book launch in Edinburgh at St Patrick’s Church, on Saturday 26th April 2025: https://stpatricksedinburgh.com/book-launch-the-glorious-sacrifice-of-the-lamb/
