Search
-
June 29, 2023If you are looking for a daily meditation book on the Eucharist to go along with the Eucharistic Revival that is currently occurring in the Catholic Church in the United States, this book is a very good one.
Research surveys have found that around 70% of American Catholics do not believe in or understand what the Catholic dogma means by the real presence of Jesus in the Eucharist. Many see the Eucharist as a symbol and not as being the real Body and Blood of Jesus Christ. This occurs among Catholics who were not catechized well. Many of these Catholics go to church because their family does, or because it is the “thing to do” without knowing what or who they receive at communion.
This book, compiled by Kenneth Howell and Joseph Crownwood, provides an introduction about what Church fathers, saints or other holy Catholics have said about the Eucharist. The authors provide a selection from that person's writings. Many times, the meditation is given for a particular feast day.
The book contains an author and source index and bibliographical references in the endnotes that provides reading material from where the entry came from, which gives the reader more material to study. Some of the authors include Saint Thomas Aquinas and Saint Gregory the Great, and some that may not be as well known. There are men and women authors from various places and times.
I discovered this book back in 2021 and have been using it almost every day since. It has such a variety that helps me to reflect on the Eucharist with the help of what the various authors have written throughout time. I also wanted a book to read during this time of Eucharistic Revival that has begun in the Church.
The entries are usually two pages long. The hard copy book is nice and has a ribbon. The e-book version is also good – this is the one I use. I highly recommend this book to the clergy and lay people to help them reflect on the real presence of the Eucharist. This book can also help those who do not believe in the real presence to see what the Church has taught for centuries. I pray this book might help Catholics to discover that Jesus Christ is present in the Eucharist.
Br. Benet Exton, O.S.B., Saint Gregory's Abbey, Shawnee, is a freelance writer for the Sooner Catholic.
