Corpus Mysticum: The Eucharist and the Church in the Middle Ages (Faith in Reason: Philosophical Enquiries)

One of the major figures of twentieth-century Catholic theology, Henri Cardinal de Lubac was known for his attention to the doctrine of the church and its life within the contemporary world. In Corpus Mysticum de Lubac investigates a particular understanding of the relation of the church to the eucharist. He sets out the nature of the church as communion, a doctrine that influenced the thinking of the Second Vatican Council. With the publication of Corpus Mysticum , this important text of contemporary Catholic ecclesiology and sacramental theology is available for the first time in an English translation. Its publication fills a significant gap in the range of de Lubac's works available to English-speaking scholars. It will be an important resource in the widespread and ongoing ecumenical discussions among Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox theologians. His Eminence Henri Cardinal de Lubac, SJ (18961991), a French Jesuit, is considered to be one of the most influential theologians of the twentieth century. He is the author of a number of books, including Catholicism and Theology in History . Gemma Simmonds CJ is lecturer at Heythrop College, University of London. Richard Price is Lecturer at Heythrop College, University of London. "This translation of Corpus Mysticum is a gift to medieval historians, liturgists, ecclesiologists, and any Christian interested in a profoundly prophetic reading of one of the central mysteries of her or his religion. This is one of a very few books that has formed our present consciousness of who we are as Catholics and Christians. To preserve access to it will significantly aid our attempts to move into a future to some extent already foreshadowed in de Lubac's study of the past." Gary Macy, University of San Diego

A great figure of 20th century Catholic theology, Henri Cardinal de Lubac SJ is renowned for his attention to the doctrine of the Church and its life within the contemporary world. In this book, de Lubac opens an initial exploration of the ways in which the Church has been understood Eucharistically, and gives new expression to that mystery in which the Church is believed to consist. As one whose generous and fervent spirit contributed significantly to the thinking of the Second Vatican Council, de Lubac's influence has been widespread, making a substantial impact on the work of not only Catholic but also Protestant and Orthodox theologians. With the publication of this English translation of Corpus Mysticum, this important text of contemporary Catholic ecclesiology and sacramental theology is made available to the English-speaking world and takes its place among the growing number of de Lubac's works now accessible to Anglophone scholars.

One of the major figures of twentieth-century Catholic theology, Henri Cardinal de Lubac was known for his attention to the doctrine of the church and its life within the contemporary world. In Corpus Mysticum, de Lubac investigates a particular understanding of the relation of the church to the eucharist. He sets out the nature of the church as communion, a doctrine that influenced the thinking of the Second Vatican Council. With the publication of Corpus Mysticum, this important text of contemporary Catholic ecclesiology and sacramental theology is available for the first time in an English translation. Its publication fills a significant gap in the range of de Lubac's works available to English-speaking scholars. It will be an important resource in the widespread and ongoing ecumenical discussions among Catholic, Protestant, and Orthodox theologians. -- Provided by publisher Contents Acknowledgements Abbreviations Editors’ Preface Notes on the Translation Preface to the First Edition Preface to the Second Edition Part I: The Evolution of the Sense of Corpus Mysticum Introduction First Part 1: The Eucharist as Mystical Body 2: ‘Mystery’ 3: Memorial, Anticipation, Presence 4: Sacramental Body and Ecclesial Body 5: The Church as Mystical Body Second Part 6: ‘Spiritual Flesh’ 7: Interchangeable Expressions 8: ‘One Body’, ‘One Flesh’ 9: ‘Truth and Truth’ 10: From Symbolism to Dialectic Conclusion Part II: Amalarius’s ‘Threefold Body’and What Became of It Introduction 1: Amalarius’s Text 2: Evolution of the Doctrine 3: Evolution of the Symbolism Notes Note A Note B Note C Note D Note E Note F Note G