The Mass A Study of Belief and Practice in Their Cultural Contexts

includes index and biblioraphy

The prelude to examining the celebration of the Eucharist The structure of the Eucharist Evolution and forms of the celebration of the Eucharist Definition and meanings of the Eucharist...................... 10 The long continuance of the Eucharistic celebrations Perceptions of the Eucharist............................................. 13 The liturgy of the Eucharist and intelligibility............... 15 Abstract thought and religious needs The problems relating to religious symbols The interpretation of religious symbols The uses of symbols and their meanings Symbolic meanings and authority The need for authority behind religious symbolism..... 32 Rationality as a problem in religious practices The assessment of rationality Questionable need for exact meanings Rationality and the importance of spiritual experience Coherent but not rational explanations The need for ambiguity in Christian thinking Problems from the diversity of meanings The fan of meanings and experience Explanation as communicating Meaning and the limitations of speech The acceptance and demonstration of meaning Problems related to the celebration of the Eucharist. The use of imagination in the understanding of the Eucharist Social and religious use of immanence Charisma and the pull to religious practice The involvement of the laity Informality and formality in the celebration of the Eucharist The importance of sight and sound in celebrations of the Eucharist The thinking behind participation in religious rituals Problems from the use of language and literacy Problems from the use of vernaculars Problems from the diversity of religious needs Problems in assessing religious experience Problems from comparative religion The problems related to religious experiences Problems related to the priest and celebrations of the Eucharist Problems connected with change The processes of celebrating the Eucharist Possible conclusions