Msgr. Mannion explores heaven in new book

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“Models of Heaven: Interpreting Life Everlasting” by M. Francis Mannion; Wipf & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 2023

SALT LAKE CITY — The popular view of heaven “as a kind of eternal, boring, retirement home where white-robed ghostly figures wander aimlessly between clouds, playing or listening to harp music, vaguely encountering deceased friends and relatives, and occasionally catching a glimpse of a rather remote and dispassionate God” is contrasted sharply with “the dynamic, overwhelming and magnificent reality of heaven” in Monsignor M. Francis Mannion’s new book, Models of Heaven: Interpreting Life Everlasting (Wipf & Stock, Eugene, Oregon, 2023).

“I’ve always had a fascination with heaven … and as I get older, I think more and more about heaven,” said Msgr. Mannion, a retired priest of the Diocese of Salt Lake City who has written several books, including Pastoral Answers (2001) and Masterworks of God Essays in Liturgical Theory and Practice (2007). He was the founding president of the Society for Catholic Liturgy, served as the editor of the SCL journal Antiphon and was a columnist for Our Sunday Visitor as well as this newspaper. A graduate of the Pontifical University of Maynooth, Ireland, he holds a master’s degree in liturgical studies and a doctoral degree in sacramental theology, both from Catholic University of America. In addition, he was the founding director of The Liturgical Institute at the University of St. Mary of the Lake, Mundelein, Ill.

Following his interest, he decided to read everything he could find in mainstream Christian literature about heaven, and “I discovered that there really was no coherent presentation of heaven in print, so I decided to take on the project,” he said.

The project took him six years to complete, he said.

His research was extensive; the 16-page bibliography at the back of the book includes everything from Joseph Ratzinger’s Church, Ecumenism, and Politics: New Essays in Ecclesiology and Karl Rahner’s essay “Angels” to The Catechism of the Council of Trent, the Lutheran Book of Worship and Friedrich Nietzsche’s Thus Spoke Zarathustra.

Peter Kreeft, the renowned professor of philosophy at Boston College, praises Msgr. Mannion’s book as “an impressive treasure trove of wisdom both old and new. It is admirably clear, coherent and comprehensive.”

Each of the book’s eight chapters explores a model of heaven “to indicate that there are many more biblical, theological, liturgical, spiritual and literary strands that may be drawn together to set forth a more adequate and comprehensive treatment of the subject” of heaven than is usually presented, Msgr. Mannion writes in the introduction of the book.  

In general, the language and presentation of the material is geared toward adult Catholics who have an understanding of the faith but not formal theological training (although a solid grasp of Church teaching on eschatology would be helpful). In his introduction, Msgr. Mannion said the book is meant primarily “for clergy, seminarians, pastoral theologians, educators and the inquiring Christian with an interest in deepening his or her knowledge of eternal life.”  

Indeed, Models of Heaven gives a view of heaven’s majesty that makes the reader eager to join John Donne in saying, “I choose to live toward eternal life.”

Models of Heaven: Interpreting Life Everlasting is available locally at Immaculate Heart Religious Gifts and Books, 726 12200 South, Draper; and Magdalene Religious Goods, 836 East 3300 South, Salt Lake City; and online at Amazon.com and Barnsandnoble.com.