Reflections on Ecclesia de Eucharistia - Index
REFLECTIONS ON ECCLESIA DE EUCHARISTIA
1 - Cardinal José Saraiva Martins, C.M.F.
Cardinal Saraiva Martins, Prefect of the Congregation for the Causes of Saints, highlights themes in Pope John Paul II's Ecclesia de Eucharistia, particularly, the Eucharist as the "the centre and summit of the Church's life," being the source of all grace and the principle of unity.
2 - Albert Vanhoye, S.J.
Father Vanhoye examines scriptural sources for our faith in the Eucharist, particularly the two traditions of its institution at the Last Supper, in Matthew-Mark and in Luke-Paul, and the light they shed on the Passion and Death of Christ.
3 - Cardinal Avery Dulles, S.J.
Reflecting on the Holy Father's Encyclical, Cardinal Dulles shows the intimate bond between the Eucharist and the Church. As the Eucharist is one, so is the Church, because of the Eucharist.
4 - Fr Nello Cipriani, O.S.A.
Father Cipriani, of the Patristic Institute of the Augustinianum, examines key texts on the Eucharist in the writings of the early Fathers, in order to show the continuity of their doctrine with the current teaching represented in the encyclical of Pope John Paul II.
5 - Nicola Bux
The writer meditates on themes from the encyclical, such as the Eucharist as the beginning of the Parousia and our foretaste of sharing in Christ's Resurrection.
6 - Fr Antonio Miralles
Father Miralles, of the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, brings out the apostolicity of the Eucharist, as set forth in the Pope's Encyclical: 1) it was entrusted to the Apostles; 2) it is celebrated according to the faith of the Apostles; which 3) is still taught by the successors of the Apostles.
7 - Fr Cyril Vasil'
Fr Vasil' praises the beauty of art and architecture which enhances Eastern Christianity's celebration of the Divine Liturgy, evoking the mystery of God's presence in the universe, and anticipating our participation in the worship of the heavenly Jerusalem.
8 - Enrico dal Covolo, S.D.B.
The writer examines two paragraphs on eucharistic worship from Pope John Paul II's Encyclical. Devotion to the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass, which the Holy Father strongly encourages, should lead to a fuller participation in the Mass itself, and to a fuller conversion of life.
9 - Fr James J. Conn, S.J.
Fr. Conn, of the Pontifical Gregorian University Faculty of Canon Law, observes how the Holy Father, in his Encyclical, has emphasized certain norms in canon law, which cannot be ignored without disrespect to the Sacrament and disadvantage to the people.
10 - Archbishop Angelo Amato, S.D.B.
Archbishop Amato observes the close connection between Our Lady and the Eucharist in the theology, patristic teaching, devotional life, and art of the Church, as reinforced by the Holy Father's Encyclical.
11 - Mons. Marcello Bordoni
Mons. Bordoni, Lecturer at the Pontifical Lateran University, examines the role of the Holy Spirit in the Eucharist, with particular attention to the epiclesis, the invocation of the Spirit on both the gifts of bread and wine and on those who are offering them.
12 - Fr Charles Morerod, O.P.
Fr Morerod, of the Pontifical University of St Thomas Aquinas, Rome, notes the current focus on the Eucharist in ecumenical dialogue, as well as "infelicitous ecumenical initiatives," which ignore the need for communion before sharing the sacrament of unity. He lists three criteria for normal participation in the Eucharist in the Catholic Church.
13 - Dr Gerhard Ludwig Muller
Dr Müller, Bishop of Regensburg, finds a solution to the vocations crisis in a reemphasis on the intimate connections between the priesthood, the Eucharist, and the Church.
14 - Fr Ettore Malnati
Father Malnati summarizes some of the main points Pope John Paul II wished to emphasize in his Encyclical: the sacred character of the Eucharist derived from its institution by Christ; its relation as sacrifice to the Passover; the Real Presence as the substantial effect of God's Word; the Eucharist as source and apex of communion; the Eucharist in relation to the ordained ministry.
15 - Manila Sodi, S.D.B.
Father Sodi, Dean of the Faculty of Theology, Salesian Pontifical University in Rome, and Member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, examines the Encyclical for its teaching on eucharistic decorum, i.e., the preparation for, realization of, and living out of a celebration worthy of the "grandeur of the event being celebrated."
16 - Cardinal Leo Scheffczyk
Cardinal Scheffczyk, describes the close connection between Penance and the Eucharist, which has always existed in the Church. The connection, as taught by Pope John Paul II in his Encyclical, can be understood only if the nature of the Church as communio is properly recognized.
17 - Fr Real Tremblay, C.SS.R.
Fr. Tremblay, Professor of Fundamental Moral Theology at the Alphonsian Academy of Rome and a member of the Pontifical Academy of Theology, examines the intimate tie between the Eucharist and the moral life.
18 - Thomas Norris
In this article, we learn how adoration of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament outside of Mass opens our hearts both to Him and to one another. "Adoration is not at all a denial of individual human dignity; rather, it reveals the true greatness of the human being. It stresses that I am myself only by establishing relationships with God and others."
