This long-awaited volume allows contemporary readers to appreciate the full theological creativity and monastic wisdom of one of the greatest, but less well-known, Cistercian mystics of the twelfth century. Isaac of Stella's liturgical sermons are original, challenging, and spiritually nourishing. It is a delight to have them in a fine English translation for the first time.Bernard McGinn, Naomi Shenstone Donnelley Professor Emeritus, Divinity School, University of Chicago
This new publication, which brings to completion the whole series of his sermons, coming out forty years after the first half, benefits from two improving new factors: a better knowledge of Isaac's life and literary output, and an updated translational technique, more attentive to the original style of the author. Such a work will undoubtedly increase the knowledge and the consequent relevance of Isaac of Stella, for `the soundness of his monastic teaching, the depth and breadth of his theology, and his skill with words'. Surely, it is time for acknowledging his high place among the great authors of the first Cistercian generation, and his full and undisputable right to be called `the fifth evangelist of Citeaux.'Fr. Domenico Pezzini
Isaac's sermons exist in only a few manuscripts, and hence few have had an opportunity to read his Latin text. This translation makes the sermons accessible to anyone who can read English. We should be grateful to all who made that possible.
Cistercian Studies Quarterly
