The history of Catholic homiletics is rich and layered with theology and spirituality. Every period of Church history contains preachers who have been blessed with oratorical skills and spiritual depth. They are saints, scholars, bishops, priests, and deacons from the Eastern and Western traditions. Masters of Preaching-the first book of its kind-lays the foundations for a deeper understanding of Christian preaching. It is an important contribution to the subjects of history and preaching. This exceptional text sheds light on the lives and sermons of the Church's most talented preachers. Through the lives and works of thirty-one men, the reader will experience fine sermons from the most eloquent homilists. There is much to learn from this important book.

Reverend Ray E. Atwood is a Catholic priest of the Archdiocese of Dubuque. He is pastor of Prince of Peace Cluster in Traer, Iowa.

Preface
Foreword
Acknowledgments
Introduction

1 The Essence of Good Preaching
2 Preaching in the Old Testament as a Prelude to Christian Preaching
3 Preaching in the New Testament
4 Preaching in the Post-Apostolic Church
5 Preaching in the Age of the Fathers
6 Preaching in the Middle Ages
7 Preaching in the Reformation Period and Beyond
8 Preaching in the Modern and Contemporary Era

Conclusion