Hatch, Match and Dispatch

by Richard Leonard SJ

Bestselling author Richard Leonard has written an accessible, engaging, and educational journey through the history, liturgy, and theology of the seven sacraments, as well as the Rite of Christian Burial, where history, liturgy, and contemporary theology intersect. The book expands the ritual and theological horizons of those who have celebrated the sacraments for their whole lives and introduces neophytes to the question of why sacraments are essential in the Christian life. In addition, it explores the endless possibilities they provide in developing our Christian lives. +

192 pages, Hardcover

Published February 5, 2019

Reviews

[Darryl Greer · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you look up some quotes about the Jesuits, you’ll find a significant number of unflattering ones. Take this from Napoleon Bonaparte: “The aim of this organisation is power – power in its most despotic exercise – absolute power, universal power, power to control the world by the volition of a single man.” Former American president, John Adams, clearly wasn’t a fan either. He is recorded as saying, “This society has been a greater calamity to mankind than the French Revolution, or Napoleon’s despotism or ideology.” Adolf Hitler said, “I learned much from the Order of the Jesuits.” Say no more.
But on the other hand, and I’m sorry about the shameless plug, in my novel, "Agnus Dei", published in 2014, I said this: “In the Roman Catholic Church if priests are soldiers of God in the war against sin, the Jesuits are the SAS”.
Richard Leonard S.J., Jesuit, scholar, bestselling author, director of the Australian Catholic Office for Film & Broadcasting, in this latest book, focusses on the sacraments of the Catholic Church. For non-Catholics or Catholics who have lapsed, the theme might sound a little mundane. But this Jesuit has a knack of making the mundane sound interesting. The book is insightful, thought-provoking, humorous at times and certainly worth a read, not only by Catholics but anyone who wants to know what makes Catholics “tick”. Fr. Richard writes as he speaks, in a clear, no-nonsense, logical way, sometimes upsetting the odd bishop or two – well, he is a Jesuit after all. To those Catholics and others who want to know a little more about Roman Catholicism, I can’t recommend this book highly enough.

[Andrew McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really good overview of the sacraments and the approach we should take to each. Very welcoming and inclusive method of faith and understanding!

[Dawna Richardson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted to like this book. I like Richard Leonard’s writing and presentations. He is a great story teller—and some of the stories in this book are excellent. Perhaps my expectations were too high, but I found the majority of the book too basic, and that was disappointing. Also, I found the section on same sex marriage to be rather poorly reasoned.
There were some interesting tidbits that I appreciated but perhaps I am not the ideal audience for this particular book. A person with little background in the sacraments could get more out of it than I did.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great way to help people understand the Sacraments, without being confused by theological jargon.

[Paul Reidy · Rating 3 out of 5]

interesting, enjoyable and at times enlightening description of the sacraments. I did struggle to get through it at times, that may have been my tiredness.

[Sarah · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems high-minded and even impossible, but I tell you, as someone who opened it reluctantly and continued it delightedly, that it’s possible. “Some people may think the title of this book on sacraments is flippant or glib,” he writes. “It is neither. What the ordaining bishop says to the candidate in the ordination rite is exactly the song we should sing at every sacrament: ‘May God who has begun this good work in you, bring it to completion.’”

Fr. Leonard has put together what he says is a book that bridges all three of the main categories of sacraments books: catechetical for children, preparatory for adults, and scholarly for theologians.

Each sacrament has a chapter that includes an overview and history of the sacrament, a look at the liturgy surrounding each sacrament, including the pieces and parts—form and matter, for those of us who are taking notes. Integrated throughout is a deeper dive and an exploration of the why, something that gets to the heart of the sacraments for me. The student I have always been devours understanding the motivations and reasons for things. I want to not only know what’s going to happen—and I do want to know that, as much as any second grader preparing for their First Communion—but also what the words mean, why that oil is used, how each detail is a part of a whole.

This book delivers in a way that leaves you with a smile and a desire to share what you’ve learned.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an excellent guide to the sacraments. The historical meaning and traditions with each sacrament is explained. The chapters on baptism and anointing of the sick are especially well written and explained. If you are looking for a guide as to what the Catholic Church teaches and what these sacraments really mean, you can't go wrong with this book.

[Joyce Donahue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Commonsense Theology of the Sacraments

An engaging look at the true meaning of the sacraments in today's world, this book is treasury of the history, common views, misconceptions and ultimately a pastoral theology of Catholic sacramental life.