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Review When entering a Catholic church, we step into a spiritual world of wonder and mystery cherished by billions throughout the millennia. But do we understand the multiple aspects of the church and liturgy meant to draw us into worship and sweep us into heaven as we celebrate the Mass together? Thanks to Andrea Zachman, these treasures of Catholic worship hidden in plain sight are now beautifully and simply explained. Every family should own and study this book together. --Steve Ray Beyond the surface My wife and I got this book as we wanted to deepen our understandings of everything at our church. This book is leaving us in awe at each page. We both feel as if the wisdom, beauty, and truths of this book have penetrated our souls, taken our knowledge and understanding of our faith and the “sacred that surrounds us” at church to a whole new level of loving our faith more! If every Catholic household had this book, there would be no one leaving the faith and many people would come back to the church with this beautiful book of understanding. This book benefits people that just live on the surface of our Catholic Faith, and to let themselves dive deep into this book to see the truth, beauty, and sacredness in our churches. It is truly an honor to be parishioners at St. Michael Catholic Church, in St. Michael MN where Andrea Zachman goes as well, that she created this incredible book for us! We wish we could give this book to all our family. --Weston L. A Treasure A beautiful and simple written reference book who will make any catholic grow in knowledge, faith, and devotion. The pictures and quality of each page are top graded and the size perfect to have it handy and carry along at every moment. Very well done! --Tony G. Product Description You'll Never See A Catholic Church The Same Way. Did you know that everything about the confessional in a Catholic church, even its size, was designed in a highly specific way by St. Charles Borromeo to answer objections to the sacrament by the Reformation? Did you know there is both a theological and a practical reason why the credence table is placed where it is? Each item in a Catholic church is there to point to a larger truth. Every sacred vessel and item is packed with symbolism and meaning, aimed at making each visit to a Catholic church a powerful reminder of God's presence and the truths of our Faith. The Sacred That Surrounds Us helps reveal Catholic churches as shrines of devotion. Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture are made tangible with this book, which explains with clarity the symbolism and history behind the sacred items we see in every Catholic church. In ancient and medieval times, the faithful knew the meaning of all the sacred items in a church. Today's Catholics can now re-discover the sacred that surrounds them in church. In modern churches, it can be difficult to realize the immense religious and cultural heritage we as Catholics are heirs to. It can be difficult to enter into the mysteries we are partaking in during the mass. But every Catholic church, from the small, modern parish to the ancient basilica, has similar sacred objects and vessels. The Sacred That Surrounds Us helps Catholics make every visit to a Catholic church a pilgrimage of faith. In The Sacred That Surrounds Us, Catholics read: At least one historical fact about the sacred item or church feature being discussed. It answers the question, why is this here? When in Church history did we start using this, and why? At least one symbolic reality about the sacred item or church feature. It answers the question, what deeper reality is this pointing towards? What insight can we gain by meditating on this item? A beautiful, high-resolution picture of the item or feature being discussed. A quote from the Church Fathers about this item, or a relevant quote from the Bible. Some of the items and features discussed: The Monstrance The Humeral Veil The Tabernacle The Holy Oils The Altar Bells The Asper