Living the Eucharist : affirming Catholicism and the liturgy

How should the Eucharist be celebrated? What is the significance of the different parts of the liturgy, from the gathering rite, through the liturgy of the word and the sermon, to the communion and the dismissal? What is the connection between the celebration of the Eucharist and the rest of our lives? In Living the Eucharist leading writers associated with the Affirming Catholicism movement present markers for 'best practice' in the new era of Common Worship and offer a fresh vision of the place of the Eucharist in the life of the church. Each contributor discusses a different part of the eucharistic liturgy in turn, not only deepening our understanding of it but helping us to live it with joy. The Eucharist is shown to be the key that - in spite of our doubts and our failures of nerve - starts to unlock the possibilities of change and transformation, in ourselves, in the church, and in the world. As David Stancliffe says in his Introduction, 'first Christ shares our life; and then he changes it.' Living the Eucharist is part of Affirming Catholicism's contribution to liturgical renewal in the church, aiming to preserve, and in some cases rescue, the best of the past but also aiming to find new ways of worship to express God's grace and inspire God's people. This is the fourth collection of essays from Affirming Catholicism to be published by DLT, following Living Tradition, Living the Mystery and Living Evangelism. Contributors include Monica Attias, Averil Cameron, Joseph Cassidy, Stephen Conway, Stephen Cottrell, William Countryman, Jack Nicholls, David Stancliffe, Rowan Williams and Frances Young… (more)