Books

Seeds of Life: Early Christian Martyrs; Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne

Reviewed by Michael Daniel

Contents - Oct 2001 - Buy a copy now Editorial: Liturgy: light at the end of the tunnel - Michael Gilchrist Archbishop George Pell: 'The strong family is a religious family' - Archbishop George Pell News: The Church Around the World Events: Gerry Matatics Visit / Catholic Homeschooling Conference, Parramatta - AD2000 Anglican General Synod 2001 - moves towards women bishops delayed - Nigel Zimmermann Cardinal George of Chicago sacks leading 'progressive' liturgist - Michael Gilchrist Can US bishops enforce Papal teaching on Catholic universities? - Zenit News Service Archbishop Hart opens Thomas More Centre Bookroom - Catherine Sheehan Salesian Archbishop from India visits Australia - Archbishop Thomas Menamparampil SDB Education: Mass attendance: a key measure of Catholic schools' effectiveness - Br John Moylan CFC Eternal Word Television Network's missionary outreach - Michael Daniel Letters: Liturgy translation (letter) - Jack R. Nyman Letters: Church leadership (letter) - Mary Daly Letters: True picture (letter) - Christine Slagter Letters: Homosexuality (letter) - Arnold Jago (Dr) Letters: Papal teaching (letter) - John Young Letters: First parents (letter) - Scot Chaston Letters: Non-Christian gods (letter) - Jane Wilks Letters: Cult (letter) - Wal Maggs Books: 'Apologetics and Catholic Doctrine', Archbishop Sheehan, Fr Peter Joseph - Br Christian Moe FSC (reviewer) Books: 'The One Minute Philosopher' by Montague Brown - Catherine Sheehan (reviewer) Books: 'The Spirit of the Liturgy' by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger - Christopher Quinn (reviewer) Books: Tales Without Reason: Forgotten Heroes of the Apostolate in 1840s Australia - Michael Daniel Books: Seeds of Life: Early Christian Martyrs; Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne - Michael Daniel (reviewer) Poetry: Feast of St Francis of Assisi (4 October) - A. Muir Reflection: Christ's Real Presence in the Eucharist - Bishop Kevin Manning

SEEDS OF LIFE:
Early Christian Martyrs; First Christian Martyrs; The Martyrs of Lyons and Vienne

(Gracewing, 1998, 113pp, $22.00. Available from AD Books)

Seeds of Life is part of the Wellsprings of Faith Series, designed to provide easily accessible texts of patristic and monastic literature. This excellent, pocket-size volume contains extracts from the writings of Tertullian and Cyprian, together with accounts of the martyrdoms of Perpetua and Felicity, Cyprian, the martyrs of Scilli and others.

It has been said that "the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the Church". Many of the saints celebrated in the liturgical calendar are martyrs and came from all walks of life. Though many of them died hideously and painfully, they believed that they were, in fact, triumphing over death.

As we enter a new century, a reflection upon the role of martyrs is timely: in the 20th century as many people died for belief in Christ as in the previous 19 centuries combined, many of these modern martyrs having been beatified in the last few years. Similarly, recent news items remind us that in many countries, persecution of Christians remains unabated or is on the increase.

Michael Daniel teaches at a Melbourne independent school.

Reprinted from AD2000 Vol 14 No 9 (October 2001), p. 18