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BOOK REVIEWS between function, finality and pleasure (see pp. 86-88, 114-117, 216-217, note 29) . This same teaching was taken up later by Aquinas, and it constitutes the basis of his teaching on the morality of pleasure in general (and in this, be it said, St. Thomas was anything but a pessimistic killjoy !}, and on the morality of sexual pleasure in particular. This teaching has been either completely ignored or gravely distorted by modern theological writers. Were it fully grasped and applied, it could well supply the key to many burning problems of the day. The study of Hugo is by and large complete and satisfying, and in view of the actuality of the subject treated it must be regarded as a most timely and important contribution to modern theological discussion. The work would have benefited very much had the author shown himself to be aware of modern discussions on very important and closely connected problems-on the origin of man, for instance, and on original sin. All indication of pertinent literature on these matters is unfortunately lacking. Moreover, the production of the book leaves very much to be desired. This, however, cannot be laid at the door of the author. Why must the notes (that are so important in a study of this kind) be all relegated to the end of the book? And why, to make matters worse and much more aggravating for the serious reader and student, must they be numbered chapterwise and not consecutively? And why must they be printed in the same size of typeface as the body of the study? All the important texts (references for control purposes at back!) of Augustine are given in extenso in the text itself, indented and italicized. What is the sense of calling attention to the italicized phrases in a text adduced in italics? (see, for instance, p. 178} . These are blemishes that could well have been avoided. Had they been elimated the book would have gained considerably in attractiveness and the price in reasonableness into the bargain. And that would make itself felt on the Catholic book market! 895 KaufbtJUren Germany CoRNELIUs WILLIAMS, 0. P. La Dimensione trinitaria del carattere sacramentale. By CRESCENZO SEPE. Rome: Lateran University, 1969. Pp. 176. In this work the author intends to offer a complement to the contemporary theology of the sacramental character, which principally centers around the christological, ecclesiological, and anthropological aspects of the character . The first part (pp. 11-78) is historical. Here the author examines the trinitarian dimension of the sacramental character in Scripture, in the writings of the Fathers, and in medieval and modern theology. The larger portion (40 pp.) is devoted to medieval authors, such as Alexander BOOK REVIEWS sss of Hales (21 pp.) and Albert the Great (12 pp.), although the modem authors, M. J. Scheeben and H. Mlihlen, are treated. The second part (pp. 79-112) is theological and discusses the mediate relationship of the sacramental character to the Trinity. The author attempts to highlight this relationship successively in the christological, ecclesiological, and anthropological dimensions of the character. The third part (pp. 113-169) is both theological and speculative. After showing the essential relationship of the sacraments in general to the Trinity, the author proceeds to expose the particularly intimate bond of the character. The latter is shown to be a consecration of the soul whereby is realized a real, supernatural, static, efficientiva and durativa presence of the Trinity, a presence qualitatively different from that accompanying sanctifying grace. Moreover, this presence is cultic-sacramental and personal; it has an intimate connection with the presence of Christ in the Church. This work, a doctoral dissertation from the Lateran University in Rome, is well composed and much of the material skillfully arranged. The mystery of the Trinity is the principal mystery of the faith, so that there can be no theology at all without at least indirect reference to this mystery. Thus we wish to congratulate the author for taking up a theme which, to our knowledge, has not yet been so extensively treated. The clear exposition of the sacramental character as an entitative habit of the soul, caused by a special presence of the...

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