Redemptorist Fr. Dennis Billy is now at St. Mary's Seminary in Baltimore, the oldest Catholic seminary
in the country. He is teaching moral theology and is also in charge of spiritual formation, which Fr. Larry
Terrien PSS has done. Fr. Billy teaches in the chair of Fr. Robert (Bob) Leavitt PSS, who himself has the France-
Merrick chair and has taught for many decades, along with the late Fr. Phil Keane PSS. This book on the
Eucharist is dedicated to Joanne Miniscalco Apothaker, the sister of Fr. Donald Miniscalco C.SS.R. He gave a
wonderful talk, on the Immaculate Conception of Mary, that I heard at St. Charles in Philly back in 2005.
The Meaning of the Eucharist: Voices From the Twentieth Century introduces the reader to 28 different
voices on the Eucharist. By his emphases, you see some of Fr. Billy's own theology. There is an interest
in nouvelle theologie and resourcement (the mostly French theology around World War II that led to
Vatican II in the 60s). Here Fr. Billy would have a lot in common with Fr. Bud Stevens PSS. Another
common theme is the three levels of the body of Christ-the physical, sacramental and mystical (i.e.
the Church). The Church and the Eucharist form each other-the Church makes the Eucharist and the
Eucharist makes the Church. There is both a personal and community aspect. The sacrament has
moral, spiritual, and social dimensions. It is fundamental to all the sacraments. It is a mystery that
can go ever deeper, as Fr. Billy concludes it's an "adventure" that we dare not guess if we allow God. The
doctrine of transsubstantiation is true, but theology can continue to formulate new understanding and
meaning, not to take the place of transsubstantiation, but to compliment it. The Mass is memorial, sacrifice,
and presence. And Billy reminds us that it's necessary to convert from serious sin. This is Garrigou's
purgation, before the illumination and mystical union. There is both Christology and Pneumatology (the Holy Spirit). There is both the words of institution (Jesus at the Last Supper) and the epiclesis or prayer to the Holy Spirit. The Eucharist points to the past events of Christ and to the end of time into eternity.
The mantra of Fr. Billy's reflections is probably Galatians 2:20, Christ lives in me. In terms of Vatican II
documents, it is Lumen Gentium 11, the Eucharist is the Source and Summit of the Christian life. And
of course Papa Francisco gets the last word!
The 28 representative voices are well chosen. They include theologians (mostly systematic, but also
moral, biblical and liturgical), philosophers of different schools, apologists, mystics and social activists.
They are men and women (the women are few but high quality), East and West (mostly West, but
the East is well represented), and traditional and progressive. They are right-brained and left-brained,
analytical and mystical, sometimes both. One might have hoped for more Africans, Asians or Latinos,
but this was for the 20th century. It will be interesting to see what will last from the beginning of the
21st. Billy knows that they sometimes disagree with each other (for instance, Garrigou-Lagrange and
de Lubac), but they all provide something good. Schillebeeckx's transsignification, for instance, is not
adequate to take the place of transsubstantiation as an explanation of the Real Presence, of what takes
place at Mass when the bread and wine becomes the body and blood of Christ. But it might be helpful
to go along with the traditional teaching and help us to enter into the meaning of the gift. As someone
(I think Stephen Webb) said about David Tracy, Billy is able to read everything and like everybody. But I
think Billy does it even better. He should be a big help to Fr. Phil Brown and everybody for formation in
these challenging and polarized times.
There are a few typos that I noticed. One thing that I found repetitive was the disclaimer that "this
doesn't exhaust" or "do justice" to a particular thinker. For each section, Billy begins with the person's
biography, the broad outlines of his thought, before going to the Eucharist, "further insights", and
conclusion, followed by discussion questions.
Here are the contents.
1. Dom Columba Marmion-Food of the Soul
2. Karl Adam-Community Act
3. Reginald Garrigou-Lagrange- Sacramental Immolation
4. (Pierre) Teilhard de Chardin-Eucharistization of the Cosmos
5. Romano Guardini-Sacrament of the New Creation
6. Ronald Knox-Religious Drama
7. Josef A. Jungmann-Memorial Celebration
8. Dietrich von Hildebrand-Forming the Spiritual Personality
9. Fulton Sheen-Spiritual Plasma
10. Henri de Lubac-Making Church
11. Dorothy Day-Serving the Poor
12. Frank Sheed-Heart of the Church
13. Adrienne von Speyr-Means and Sign
14. Dom M. Eugene Boylan-Our Food and Our Life
15. Yves Congar-Begetting Christ
16. Josef Pieper-Festive Celebrations
17. Karl Rahner-Primordial Sacrament
18. Jean Danielou- Mysterious Anticipation
19. Hans Urs von Balthasar-Work of the Spirit
20. Bernard Haring-Vital Center
21. Louis Bouyer-Body of Christ
22. F.X. Durrwell-Paschal Sacrament
23. Edward Schillebeeckx-Transsignified Meaning
24. Avery Dulles- Multi-Layered Symbolism
25. G.E.M. (Elizabeth) Anscombe-Consuming Jesus
26. Jean Corbon- Fontal Energy
27. Walter Kasper-Sacrament of Unity
28. Joseph Ratzinger-Sacrament of Love
Happy Epiphany and God bless, Bernie
OR
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