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The Feast of Faith: Approaches to a Theology of the Liturgy

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It is most surprising to me that a book which has been on the market for such a length of time has yet to receive a review in this location. When one of the Church's premier theologians writes as profoundly as this concerning a source of great confusion among Catholics today, we should surely pay attention.

Cardinal Ratzinger returns us to something that is very basic where the Mass is concerned. It is first and foremost a sacrifice which expresses a reality with which Catholics are required to come to grips for as the Cardinal, himself says, "Its price was the death of Christ himself."

If there is confusion in the Eucharistic Liturgy today, and I believe that the now "famous poll" bears this out, then this little tome is the perfect antidote to begin to set things aright. The author combines theological expertise and a profound depth of spirituality before which one can only stand in awe.

This should be madatory reading for every liturgist and musician in the Church today.

As always, Ratzinger addresses his subject with depth and clarity, striving after the truth. Due to the weight of the issue at hand, some of his comments are indeed reactionary. However, he is not attempting to expound a view which he feels is his personally but is, instead, the true view of the Church on matters of the Eucharistic Liturgy.

With his moderate, scholarly temper, Ratzinger first aims to expose the weaknesses inherent in the modern conception of the Eucharist as an almost exclusively meal-oriented event. He stresses the place of the Last Supper with respect to the Liturgy and shows how it is related to the future development of the Church's understanding of the Eucharist. He emphasizes the fact that it is at its core, a sacrifice, united with the Cross and the Resurrection. Therefore, to understand the Eucharist as anything less than a sacrificial-meal in which the faithful come into communion with the Lamb of God is to undercut the entire Liturgy.

Beyond this, the text has a compilation of thought-provoking reflections on the Liturgy with respect to change and music, as well as considerations on the facing of the priest, his experiences and thoughts about the current celebration of Corpus Christi, and a homily addressed to the Bishop's Conference in Fulda.

I highly recommend this text as a short treatment on the Eucharistic Liturgy. It is by no means extensive but serves as an excellent set of reflections and considerations.

As a preview to Spirit of the Ligurgy, this text opens up the mind of the current Holy Father to the reader in regards to his understanding of the liturgy and Catholic theology. Originally written in 1981, this book brings out the indepth knowledge and love for the ligurgy held by then Cardinal Ratzinger. Easy reading for anyone interested in the topics of Catholic Liturgy and theology.

Cardinal Ratzinger's masterwork on the liturgy is Spirit of the Liturgy. That book is a definite must read! This book covers some of the same ground and can serve as a preliminary introduction. This book is a collection of short "book", an interview and various shorter essays on the Mass and other liturgical moments. Ratzinger's thesis is important for our times as he addresses the tension between various liturgical camps, those that want a high liturgy and those that would prefer a "cozier" experience. Ratzinger sets this debate in its proper context, he clarifies its historical underpinnings and theology. Having studies the many facets of the debate he then makes his own interventions and she's a brilliant and instructive light upon these often heated debates.

Feast of Faith contains an article on music which describes the conflict between Ratzinger and Rahner as well as an extended examination of Thomas Aquinas. Aquinas asked the question whether singing could/should be used in worship; and of course, Ratzinger already knows the answer to that question (from his "faith position") But Ratzinger continues to address Aquinas' discussion, because Aquinas states in his discussion that "listening" is a form of participation---something that the CIMS proponents had been arguing, even in a memo's to Paul VI almost 20 years before this article was written. This article provides the opportunity for Ratzinger to defend (and indeed correct Aquinas) the thinking of CIMS in this article. Cardinal Ratzinger is a brilliant and original thinker.