C340 – Eucharist David A. Stosur, Ph.D.
St. Bernard’s School of Theology & Ministry 271-3657 x299
Spring 2007 (Mondays 6:30-9:30pm) dstosur@stbernards.edu
Course Description and Objectives:
A historical, theological and pastoral examination of the eucharistic liturgy as the “source and summit” of Christian ecclesial identity and action. Topics will include the evolution of eucharistic ritual and theology in the east and west, the centrality of eucharist in relation to the other sacraments and rites of the church, developments in eucharistic practice and understanding leading up to and flowing from Vatican II (both official documents and contemporary theological insights), and the role of eucharist in ecumenical, intercultural, and social justice considerations.
Course Requirements:
Readings:
John F. Baldovin, Bread of Life, Cup of Salvation: Understanding the Mass (Lanham, MD: Rowman & Littlefield, 2003).
Paul F. Bradshaw, Eucharistic Origins (Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2004).
Edward Foley, From Age to Age: How Christians Celebrated the Eucharist (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1991)
Kevin W. Irwin, Models of the Eucharist (New York/Mahwah, NJ: Paulist Press, 2005).
John K. Leonard and Nathan D. Mitchell, The Postures of the Assembly during the Eucharistic Prayer (Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 1994). [Out of print—available through online syllabus.]
Gary Macy, The Banquet’s Wisdom: A Short History of the Theologies of the Lord’s Supper (Akron, OH: OSL Publications, 2005).
Students should obtain the required readings above. Other required and recommended readings are listed in the course schedule below, including chapters from R. Kevin Seasoltz, ed., Living Bread, Saving Cup: Readings on the Eucharist (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1987); Anscar Chupungco, ed., Handbook for Liturgical Studies, vol. 3: The Eucharist (Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 1999); sections of the Catechism of the Catholic Church [http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm]; various documents on the Eucharist and on the Missal from the Vatican and from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops [http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/index.shtml]; and World Council of Churches, Baptism, Eucharist and Ministry (1982)[ http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/bem1.html].
Class Participation: Students will have read the assigned materials, and will come to class prepared to answer the following questions:
· What new information did you learn from the material?
· What are the themes/issues emphasized?
· What aspects of/context for the reading were unclear or require further explanation? To what sources did you turn for clarification?
· Did the author present anything from a point of view new to you (consider cultural, racial/ethnic, religious, and gender diversity)?
· Do you disagree with any of the author's arguments? Why?
· What implications does the reading have for eucharistic practice/theology and for Christian life/ethics?
The class time will be spent with material presented by the instructor and in dialogue over these questions and others that emerge in the course of reading and discussing the material. Since significant class time will be dedicated to discussion of the readings, it is essential that the assigned material be read before each class. Attendance at every class meeting is expected. Each unexcused absence and any absence from more than two class meetings will adversely affect the class participation grade.
Written Assignments (please follow guidelines of the St. Bernard’s Style Sheet):
Discussion Papers (3): Two-pages each, first half-page consisting of three to five bulleted items highlighting significant points from the reading, remainder consisting of a double-spaced theological/pastoral reflection on one of the issues highlighted. (See “class participation” for appropriate types of theological/pastoral reflection questions.) Copies to be distributed to all class members. Assignments/due dates will be decided the first day of class.
Liturgical Analysis Paper: 12-15 pages. A liturgical/theological analysis of the “Liturgy of the Eucharist” from the Roman Missal (Sacramentary), or the equivalent from the liturgical books of another Christian tradition. Choose the appropriate texts for a particular celebration from the beginning of the Preparation Rite through the completion of the Communion Rite, analyzing the rite chosen for the following: What is the specific purpose of the rite? Explain and evaluate the liturgical theology it expresses. How well does the ritual text correspond to the principles set forth in the praenotanda? Suggest ways in which the rite can be implemented and/or adapted for effective celebration. See the assignment sheet on the last page of this syllabus. Due Monday April 23.
Course Instructional Methods: The methods utilized to help involve the students in the learning process include: lectures to provide material supplementary to the readings; a seminar-style of class discussion and participation (see class procedure and presentations, above); and written assignments that help to integrate the course material and provide a basis for self-assessment of learning.
Course Outcomes: Successful completion of the requirements for this particular course will provide the student with the following specific competencies:
· A basic familiarity with the historical development of Christian eucharistic patterns and theological understanding from New Testament times to the present;
· A critical appreciation of the plurality in eucharistic practices and theologies through the centuries, with a primary but not exclusive focus on the Roman Catholic tradition;
· An ability to reflect theologically on the various approaches to contemporary pastoral issues concerning the Eucharist, with an appreciation of the contributions the social sciences can make in focusing these issues;
· A fuller appreciation of the place of eucharistic theology in integrating various theological disciplines, in particular Christology, pneumatology and ecclesiology;
· An appreciation of the theological trends in the 20th Century leading to and stemming from the Second Vatican Council’s Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy and their place in the development of contemporary eucharistic understanding;
· An introduction to a method for approaching liturgical texts in their present form with a view to interpreting and implementing it on a firm theological and pastoral basis;
· An ability to reflect critically, theologically, ethically and spiritually on eucharistic principles, texts and practices in a global, ecumenical, multi- and inter-cultural context;
· Improvement of skills in written and oral expression.
Methods of Assessment: The student's performance will be assessed on the basis of critical attentiveness to and integration of assigned readings and material presented in class, and on the quality of the student's written and oral expression. Evidence of these criteria is to be given by the student as appropriate to the various course requirements:
· reading assignments/class participation (20% of final grade)
· discussion papers (45% of final grade – 15% each)
· liturgical analysis paper (35% of final grade)
Course Schedule and Reading Assignments:
All required readings, except for the purchased texts, are on reserve at St. Bernard’s and online. Reading assignments will run along two simultaneous tracks, each week looking at an historical period and/or pastoral topic along with a chapter/“model” from Irwin.
Jan 22 Introduction to the Course
Read: Macy, 3-13
Baldovin, xi-11 and 35-62
Leonard/Mitchell, 1-17
Irwin, 3-35
Recommended Reading:
Jan 29 Jewish Origins and Emerging Christianity
Read: Foley, 3-23
Leonard/Mitchell, 47-59
Baldovin, 12-34
Bradshaw, 1-42
Irwin, “Cosmic Mass,” 39-65
Recommended Reading:
Thomas Talley, “From Berakah to Eucharistia: A Reopening Question” in Seasoltz, 80-101.
Hervé-Marie Legrand, “The Presidency of the Eucharist according to the Ancient Tradition” in Seasoltz, 196-221
Feb 5 Eucharist in the Domestic Church
Read: Foley, 24-41
Bradshaw, 43-96
Irwin, “The Church’s Eucharist,” 67-95
Feb 12 Read: Bradshaw, 97-138
Macy, 14-37
Irwin, “Work of the Holy Spirit,” 263-289
Recommended Reading:
Feb 19 The Roman Church amidst Eucharistic Diversity
Read: Bradshaw, 139-157
Foley, 42-65
Macy, 44-72
Irwin, “Memorial of the Paschal Mystery,” 122-144
Recommended Reading:
Stefano Parenti, “The Eucharistic Liturgy in the East: The Various Orders of Celebration” in Chupungco, 61-75
Feb 26 The Frankish Church and Early Eucharistic Controversies
Read: Foley, 66-88
Leonard/Mitchell, 21-38
Macy, 82-119
Irwin, “Active Presence,” 238-262
Recommended Reading:
Mar 5 High Scholasticism and the Decline of Diversity
Read: Foley, 90-113
Macy, 129-162
M. Francis Mannion, “Stipends and Eucharistic Praxis” in Seasoltz, 324-346
(with Dr. Nancy Hawkins)
Irwin, “Covenant Renewal,” 145-167
Recommended Reading:
Mar 12 Protestant Reformation and Tridentine Catholicism
Read: Foley, 114-139
Macy, 170-195 and 203-228
David Power, “Words that Crack: The Uses of ‘Sacrifice’ in Eucharistic Discourse” in Seasoltz, 157-175
Irwin, “Sacramental Sacrifice,” 217-237
Recommended Reading:
Mar 19 Eucharistic Renewal: The Liturgical Movement and Vatican II
Read: Macy, 239-254
Foley, 140-175
Leonard/Mitchell, 63-79
E. Schillebeeckx, “Transubstantiation, Transfinalization, Transignification” in Seasoltz, 175-189
Irwin, “The Lord’s Supper,” 168-194
Recommended Reading:
Mar 26 Post-Conciliar Reform and Development: The Mass of Paul VI
(Entrance Rites and Liturgy of the Word)
Read: The Sacramentary, 357-369
General Instruction of the Roman Missal [GIRM] 2002, ##1-71
Baldovin, 63-96
Lectionary for Mass: Introduction
Irwin, “The Effective Word of God,” 96-120
Recommended Reading:
Michael Witczak, “The Sacramentary of Paul VI” in Chupungco, 133-175 (see Bibliography beginning at 169)
Cardinal Roger Mahoney, Gather Faithfully Together: Guide for Sunday Mass (Pastoral Letter, September 4, 1997)
[online at: http://www.archdiocese.la/archbishop/letters/liturgy/index.html]
USCCB, “An Introduction to the Second Edition of the Lectionary for Mass” [online at: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/innews/298.shtml]
Catechism of the Catholic Church ##1322-1419 [online at: http://www.usccb.org/catechism/text/index.htm]
Apr 2 Post-Conciliar Reform and Development: The Mass of Paul VI
(Liturgy of the Eucharist and Concluding Rites)
Read: The Sacramentary, 370-73 and 542-566
GIRM 2002, ##72-111
Baldovin, 97-150
Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum on certain matters to be observed or to be avoided regarding the Most Holy Eucharist (April 23, 2004) [online at: http://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20040423_redemptionis-sacramentum_en.html]
Irwin, “Food for the Journey,” 195-216
Recommended Reading:
Robert Taft, “Receiving Communion—A Forgotten Symbol?” in Beyond East and West, 101-109
Read: Enrique Dussel, "The Bread of the Eucharistic Celebration as a Sign of Justice in the Community," in Mary Collins and David Power, eds., Can We Always Celebrate the Eucharist? Concilium 152 (New York: Seabury, 1982) 56-65
Joel Marie Cabrita, “Women/Hunger/Bread” in Christophe Boureux, Janet Martin Soskice and Luiz Carlos Susin, eds, Hunger, Bread and Eucharist, Concilium 2005/2 (London: SCM Press, 2005) 80-87
“Eucharist” in World Council of Churches, Baptism, Eucharist, and Ministry [online at http://www.wcc-coe.org/wcc/what/faith/bem1.html]
Alexander Schmemann, “Theology and Eucharist” (1961), reprinted in Liturgy and Tradition, ed. Thomas Fisch (Crestwood, NY: St. Vladimir’s Seminary Press, 1990) 69-88
Baldovin, 151-192
Irwin, “Conclusion: A Liturgical Eucharistic Spirituality,” 293-330
Recommended Reading:
David Stosur, “Bread of Life, Justice of God: Eucharistic Structures and the Transformation to Christian Justice,” Liturgical Ministry 7 (Fall 1998): 182-189
Catherine Vincie, “The Cry for Justice and the Eucharist.” Worship 68 (1994): 194-210.
Liturgical Analysis Paper due.
Selected Bibliography:
(to follow)
Analyzing Liturgical Rites
(The following questions are intended to aid but not limit one’s analysis of a particular rite.)
What is the specific purpose of the rite?
Explain the function of the rite you are analyzing as distinguished from others with the same sacramental/liturgical focus. (E.g., if Rite I of the Rite of Penance is your subject, what is its purpose in juxtaposition to the other rites of reconciliation? If the Rite of Confirmation is your subject, what is its role within the complex of initiation rites? If one part of the Eucharistic liturgy is your subject, how does it relate to other parts structurally and functionally?)
Explain and evaluate the (liturgical) theology the rite expresses.
What basic liturgical principles (e.g., active participation, communal and ecclesial context/identity, etc.) are evidenced (or presupposed) in the rite? What theological understanding emerges from the introduction to the rite and from the prayers, responses, gestures and actions of the rite itself? (E.g., what is the operative christology or soteriology? How does the rite express the relationship between God and human beings?)
How well does the ritual text correspond to the principles set forth in the praenotanda?
The praenotanda, or theological and pastoral introductory notes to the rites, try to give some description of the rites and their underlying meaning. How well does the introduction correlate to the rite itself? Are there points at which the praenotanda emphasize one thing while the rite seems to be saying something different or even conflicting?
Suggest ways in which the rite can be implemented and/or adapted for effective celebration.
Liturgy is not a book or a text. What is presented in the text must be translated into action, living and dynamic, something to be seen, heard, touched, smelled, tasted and entered into. What can be done to bring this ritual text to liturgical life? The ways in which one has experienced this celebration before or in which one can anticipate its celebration in one's own worshipping community—for good or for ill—are important starting points for reflection on this question.
Suggestions for Reading Ritual Texts
1) Make marginal notes in your study edition as you read along, noting the rite's outline (what headings are used, and how well do they describe what is happening in the rite?), as well as gestures, postures, actions and silences.
2) Locate important issues or questions for theology and practice.
3) Note any "surprises," i.e., items or statements of which you had not been aware, or that seem incompatible with your understanding and experience of the rite.
4) Note points in the text that appear problematic for, as well as those which you feel deserve emphasis in, parish life and liturgical celebration.
5) Note any inconsistencies contained in the rite or in its introduction.
6) Be aware of options presented in the text (e.g., alternative prayer formulas, scripture selections, places where there appears to be room for elaboration or abbreviation).
7) Attempt to answer the questions, for both the rite as a whole and for individual parts (prayer texts, rubrics): "What story is being told?" and "What does the rite presume its participants already know?"
Prepared by David A. Stosur, Ph.D.