Medieval Christianity: The Holy Grail

"The medieval legend of the Grail, a tale about the search for supreme mystical experience, has never ceased to intrigue writers and scholars by its wildly variegated forms: the settings have ranged from Britain to the Punjab to the Temple of Zeus at Dodona; the Grail itself has been described as the chalice used by Christ at the Last Supper, a stone with miraculous youth-preserving virtues, or a vessel containing a man's head swimming in blood. In his classic exploration of the major versions, Roger Sherman Loomis shows how the Grail, once a Celtic vessel of plenty, evolved into the Christian Grail with miraculous powers. Loomis bases his argument on historical examples involving the major motifs and characters in the legends, beginning with the Arthurian legend recounted in the 1180 French poem by Chrétien de Troyes. Loomis's book builds suspense as he proceeds from one puzzle to the next in revealing the meaning behind the legends"

The Holy Grail and its quest is a legend which has had a powerful impact on our civilization and culture. The Grail itself is an ancient Celtic symbol of redemption and eternal life, the chalice which caught the blood of the crucified Christ. The story of the Grail sheds profound light on man's search for the supreme value of life, for that which makes life most meaningful. Two leading women of the Jungian school of psychology present this legend as a living myth that is meaningful to modern life. [Back cover].

"Barber traces the history of the stories surrounding the Holy Grail, beginning with Chretien de Troyes, who in the twelfth century first imagined the famous scene in which a mysterious golden vessel adorned with jewels was paraded before the eyes of an untested youth. The author died before he could complete his tale, and the unsolved mystery of the Grail has haunted us ever since. By a long series of imaginative transformations, the grail has moved from the sphere of romance to religion, and in twentieth-century popular culture has become an emblem of mysticism and man's highest aspirations, intimately linked with the central ritual of the Christian faith."--Jacket.

Just as portrayed in the Hollywood film "The Last Crusade", the authentic Holy Grail continues to elude the attention of modern scholars. It is ignored, while experts debate the merits of such unlikely candidates as a Roman fragrance container found in an attic in England, an emerald bowl owned by Napoleon, and the Glastonbury bronze bowl. Some even claim that it is the Shroud of Turin, or the Ark of the Covenant. The simple truth is that Jesus of Nazareth used a Roman style cup to consecrate the wine at the Last Supper. Made of agate with stripes that resemble fire, it was described in the legends of the Grail cycle, and sought by many when it was hidden in the Pyrenean Monastery of San Juan de la Pena after the Muslim invasion of Spain. The Spaniard St. Laurence, deacon and treasurer of the Church under Pope Sixtus II, saved it from the greed of the Emperor Valerian by sending it to his homeland, and was consequently roasted on a gridiron. Centuries later, many put their lives in danger rescuing it from the desecration and burning of the Cathedral of Valencia during the Spanish Civil War. Its story is told here for the first time in English. The mythical quest for the Holy Grail is now over, at least for those with enough humility to see the truth.

The Holy Grail stories possess a mysterious power that has seized the human imagination for centuries. They tell of a great secret finally revealed, of a surprising answer to the most profound questions, of a great secret finally revealed, of a surprising answer to the most profound questions, of a hidden mystery that satisfies our deepest longings. Writers, poets, artists, composers, and filmmakers have pursued the Grail for 1,700 years. The great quest drives the legends of King Arthur, propels Indiana Jone's greatest adventure, and keeps many people turning the pages of "The Da Vinci Code". These tales of quests and miracles and of honor and betrayal have captivated humankind for so long, say the authors of "The Grail Code", because the stories really do touch the deepest parts of our hearts. They reveal our innate yearning to know Christ, to be in communion with the Divine. What we've lost in the pop-culture transformations of the Grail is what made it holy in the first place: the intimate link with the Eucharist. "The Grail Code" is a literary and theological detective story, centuries in the making, that ends where the Grail legends began - in the room where Jesus gathered his closest friends for the last time, spoke blessed words, broke bread, and shared a sacred cup.

A carefully researched critique of Dan Brown's bestselling novel "The Da Vinci Code" that reveals the truth behind the facts Brown presents in the novel and examines some of the novel's more controversial claims.

"Dan Brown's popular novel The Da Vinci Code makes assertions that are in stark opposition to Catholic teaching and seriously misrepresents church history and doctrine. in 101 Q & A on The Da Vinci Code and the Catholic Tradition, two church historians separate fact from fiction and go beyond the endless refutations of Brown's assertions to focus on positive and, in some cases, surprising aspects of church history." "Besides showing where Brown went wrong, the authors also unlock the doors to the treasures of the Catholic tradition, and display the wealth of people, customs, and events that comprise Catholic identity. Far more than a mere Da Vinci Code "debunker," this book celebrates Catholic culture."--Jacket.