Assessment

Essay 100%

Module Aims

This module is designed to introduce participants to the origins, development, and theology of the Eucharist, and in particular, the Eucharist as the goal and high point of the Sacraments of Christian Initiation. Through a mixture of input, practical opportunities and reflection, participants will grow in confidence in their knowledge and understanding of the Eucharist and its celebration.

Indicative Syllabus

• The meals of Jesus and the Last Supper as the origin of the Eucharist
• The shape and Development of the Eucharist
• Table of Word and Table of Eucharist
• the Eucharistic Prayers of The Roman Missal currently in use
• Liturgical Families and Eucharist
• The separation of the Eucharistic celebrations from the Sacraments of Christian Initiation
• the Eucharist and the Reformation
• From Trent to the Modern Liturgical Movement
• Eucharist as a Celebration of the Sacrament of the Sacrifice of Christ
• The Roman Missal and The Lectionary
• a Eucharistic theology grounded in the liturgical celebration of this mystery (by means of a nuanced reading of Lex Orandi-Lex Credendi)
• Eucharist as the apex of Christian Initiation
• Directory for Masses with Children
• First Eucharist of Children
• the triad: Sunday, Assembly, Eucharist.

Learning Outcomes

• — Discuss liturgical and sacramental practice in its theological, historical spiritual and pastoral dimensions;
• — Critically review opinions and writings of a liturgical-pastoral nature relating to the Eucharist;
• — Recognise diverse theological understandings of sacrament throughout the centuries (especially as these relate to Christian Initiation and Eucharist); and how these are articulated in the reformed rites of Vatican Two;
• — Manifest the skills necessary to integrate theological, liturgical, and pastoral dimensions in the preparation of a Eucharistic celebration;
• — Outline the principal factors that influence the role of worship in the churches (e.g., use of scripture, ecclesiology; ministry; ritual performance; spirituality, etc.)

Bibliography

• — General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Dublin: Veritas, 2005)
• — National Centre for Liturgy, Celebrating the Mystery of Faith: A Guide to the Mass (Dublin: Irish Liturgical Publications, 2005; rev. ed., Veritas, 2011).
• — The Liturgy Commission and the Theology Commission of the Irish Catholic Bishops’ Conference, O Sacred Banquet: Revitalising the Sunday Celebration of the Eucharist (Dublin: Veritas, 2011).
• — Irish Bishops’ Conference, Preparing and Celebrating the Sacraments of Reconciliation and Holy Communion for the First Time.
• — Austin, Gerard, et al., Eucharist: Toward the Third Millennium (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1997).
• — Bouyer, Louis. Eucharist: Theology and Spirituality of the Eucharistic Prayer, translated by Charles Quinn (Notre Dame, IN: University of Notre Dame Press, 1968).
• — Bradshaw, Paul, Eucharistic Origins (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).
• — Cabié, Robert. The Eucharist. Vol. 2 of The Church at Prayer, edited by A. G. Martimort. and translated by Matthew J. O’Connell (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 1986).
• — Chupungco, Anscar J., ed., Handbook for Liturgical Studies, Vol III: The Eucharist, (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999).
• — Cummings, Owen F., Canterbury Cousins: The Eucharist in Contemporary Anglican Theology (Mahwah, NY/NJ: Paulist Press, 2007).
• — Eschenauer, Donna M., First Communion Liturgies: Preparing First-Class First Celebrations (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2014).
• — Foley, Edward, From Age to Age. How Christians have Celebrated the Eucharist (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008).
• — Foley, Edward, et al., A Commentary on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2008).
• — Foley, Edward, et al., A Commentary on the Order of Mass of The Roman Missal (Collegeville, MN: The Liturgical Press, 2011).
• — Jasper, R. C. D. and G. J. Cuming. Prayers of the Eucharist: Early and Reformed. 4th Ed. with Maxwell Johnson (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2019).
• — Johnson, Maxwell, editor, Issues in Eucharistic Praying in East and West (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2010).
• — Kasper, Walter, ed., Harvesting the Fruits: Basic Aspects of Christian Faith in Ecumenical Dialogue (London: Continuum, 2009).
• — Kavanagh, Julie, Signposts on the Road to Emmaus: Exploring the Mass (Dublin: Veritas, 2013).
• — Laurance, John D., Lex Orandi: The Sacrament of the Eucharist (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2012).
• — Mahon, Maeve, and Martin Delaney, Do this in Memory 1,2 or 3. A Parish based Preparation Program for First Eucharist (Dublin: Veritas, 2012).
• — McGoldrick, Patrick, Remember and Give Thanks. Reflections on Eucharist (Dublin: Veritas, 2021).
• — Smith, Dennis, From Symposium to Eucharist. The Banquet in the Early Christian World (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress, 2003).
• — Walsh, Liam G., The Mass: Yesterday, Today … and Forever (Dublin: Dominican Publications, 2019).