In this provocative book that will surely be subject of much discussion, Kevin Irwin reflects on the jewel in the crown of Catholicism--the celebration of the Eucharist. He articulates what we believe from what we say and do when we celebrate the Mass and puts forth a theology of the Eucharist derived from the liturgy--lex orandi, lex credendi. The author explores and explains what happens when Mass is celebrated and what our central act of worship means in terms of Catholic belief and living the Christian life. His work is meant to be theological, pastoral and current. In essence it is concerned with issues about the Eucharist that face us today, some forty years after the truly historical and unprecedented revisions that took place in our liturgy after the Second Vatican Council.

Some of these concerns are the result of unforeseen developments about the Eucharist resulting from other factors, for example the decline in numbers of clergy leading in some places to Sunday celebrations without the Mass. Other concerns arise from a lack of proper catechesis about the Mass, e.g., doctrine of the real presence and eucharistic sacrifice, and a keen desire to understand why and how the Eucharist is at the center of Catholic life. In addition to being expressly theological this book is also expressly pastoral in that it is a reflection on the lived life of the church as it enacts the Eucharist.

Audience: --educated Catholics who seek a deeper appreciation of what the Eucharist is and who want to appropriate that understanding in the way they live their lives --pastoral ministers, both those present and those in training, and the communities of faith whom they serve.

Topics covered in this book are --Cosmic Mass --the Church's Eucharist --the Effective Word of God --Memorial of the Paschal Mystery --Covenant Renewal --The Lord's Supper --Food for the Journey --Sacramental Sacrifice --Active Presence --Work of the Holy Spirit --Liturgical Spirituality of the Eucharist.