A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist

Rating:
Summary: The Key to "A Key"
Review: The Key to the understanding of "A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist" is the first sentence of Chapter Ten. It should stand at the head of the book. "In theological matters the spark that illumines always comes from under the hoof of hard thinking." The hard thinking is accompanied by a certain "hard reading" because of the subject matter and at times because of the vocabulary. I am inclined to think that the average reader will find this work a challenge.

Given the atmosphere of "fuzzy" thinking run-a-muck in this modern era, one must prepare oneself well to deal with the concepts and the distinctions of Thomistic thought found in "A Key". Neither Abbot Vonier, St. Thomas nor the Catholic Faith, however allow for "fuzzy" thinking. Why should I be surprised! After further thought, the aforementioned sentence belongs where it was placed. Its effectiveness requires the experience of the struggle. Pay the price and the Catholic-of- faith will emerge significantly enriched.

"A Key" requires a clear faith in the supernatural which is not always a given in these times. This awakening occurred to me as I read deep into this little book, page 145 precisely: "Once we admit the fundamental principle that God has power to transpose reality and being from one order into the other, from the natural order into the sacramental order, we have committed ourselves to every possible instance of such transposition." But before that we must be clearly committed to the existence of the source of that fundamental principal. Especially in the matter of faith in a personal God, one with a central place in the life of each of us, we are required to reject "fuzzy thinking". Hazy notions incline toward a less than enthusiastic fidelity.

Perhaps because of "fuzzy thinking" far too many Catholics (not excluding some priests and deacons) treat the sacraments as mere "rites of passage" for which in turn they receive a "diploma." It's the "religion thing" to be done. "A Key", well digested, is a curative for that kind of mentality.

The guiding principle (A Key) that directs and informs the whole of this book is a well understood notion of sacramentality. Thankfully, the Abbott helps us in this regard. Nowhere is this truer than when speaking of the Eucharist. Religion is an integral part of the real world of everyday life. When we were born we were not endowed with a compartmentalized existence. It was a unified reality that was bestowed upon us. Through the reality of faith we enter into a mystical world, nonetheless real for being so, that is the seven sacraments. Through each sacrament the past, the present, and the future are bound together in an efficacious event which of itself is causative of sanctification. In a unique and most beautiful way the Eucharist is the "crown jewel" in this mystical treasure trove at the Catholic's disposal.

If we take to heart the thrust of this book, our spiritual lives will be enhanced and, in the words of the Abbott himself, it will make of us true mystics. Instead of instilling in me a feeling of uncomfortableness, I find that the thought makes me desirous of an ever-deepening emersion into the God-life, which the sacraments promise, especially the Eucharist.

While "A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist" is a studious read, it is one well worth the effort. It is a book whose time has surely come. It deserves re-reading to sufficiently plumb its depths. In fact, the Sacrament of the Eucharist demands it.

Rating:
Summary: The Key to "A Key"
Review: The Key to the understanding of "A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist" is the first sentence of Chapter Ten. It should stand at the head of the book. "In theological matters the spark that illumines always comes from under the hoof of hard thinking." The hard thinking is accompanied by a certain "hard reading" because of the subject matter and at times because of the vocabulary. I am inclined to think that the average reader will find this work a challenge.

Given the atmosphere of "fuzzy" thinking run-a-muck in this modern era, one must prepare oneself well to deal with the concepts and the distinctions of Thomistic thought found in "A Key". Neither Abbot Vonier, St. Thomas nor the Catholic Faith, however allow for "fuzzy" thinking. Why should I be surprised! After further thought, the aforementioned sentence belongs where it was placed. Its effectiveness requires the experience of the struggle. Pay the price and the Catholic-of- faith will emerge significantly enriched.

"A Key" requires a clear faith in the supernatural which is not always a given in these times. This awakening occurred to me as I read deep into this little book, page 145 precisely: "Once we admit the fundamental principle that God has power to transpose reality and being from one order into the other, from the natural order into the sacramental order, we have committed ourselves to every possible instance of such transposition." But before that we must be clearly committed to the existence of the source of that fundamental principal. Especially in the matter of faith in a personal God, one with a central place in the life of each of us, we are required to reject "fuzzy thinking". Hazy notions incline toward a less than enthusiastic fidelity.

Perhaps because of "fuzzy thinking" far too many Catholics (not excluding some priests and deacons) treat the sacraments as mere "rites of passage" for which in turn they receive a "diploma." It's the "religion thing" to be done. "A Key", well digested, is a curative for that kind of mentality.

The guiding principle (A Key) that directs and informs the whole of this book is a well understood notion of sacramentality. Thankfully, the Abbott helps us in this regard. Nowhere is this truer than when speaking of the Eucharist. Religion is an integral part of the real world of everyday life. When we were born we were not endowed with a compartmentalized existence. It was a unified reality that was bestowed upon us. Through the reality of faith we enter into a mystical world, nonetheless real for being so, that is the seven sacraments. Through each sacrament the past, the present, and the future are bound together in an efficacious event which of itself is causative of sanctification. In a unique and most beautiful way the Eucharist is the "crown jewel" in this mystical treasure trove at the Catholic's disposal.

If we take to heart the thrust of this book, our spiritual lives will be enhanced and, in the words of the Abbott himself, it will make of us true mystics. Instead of instilling in me a feeling of uncomfortableness, I find that the thought makes me desirous of an ever-deepening emersion into the God-life, which the sacraments promise, especially the Eucharist.

While "A Key to the Doctrine of the Eucharist" is a studious read, it is one well worth the effort. It is a book whose time has surely come. It deserves re-reading to sufficiently plumb its depths. In fact, the Sacrament of the Eucharist demands it.

Rating:
Summary: Be Renewed in authentic Catholic doctrine!
Review: This book is relatively short, but contains some of the most thought-provoking insights on the mystery of the Eucharist to be written in the 20th century. Abbot Vonier was a visionary ahead of his time, some say, yet, he actually presents the Catholic doctrine of the Eucharist from its very inception, drawing largely from the Thomistic tradition. Contemporary "Catholics" may find it a difficult read at first, but be assured, if you persevere, the payoff is worth the work. This book should be mandatory for all seminarians and students of theology. This book is available directly from the publisher or from the Franciscan University of Steubenville bookstore for only $12.95 plus tax! Buy and read this book and be transformed in Christ.

Rating:
Summary: Challenging But Worth It
Review: Vonier's book on the Eucharist is challenging. He writes with a precision that is alien to the written works most Americans have been exposed to. He clarifies with sophistication the Catholic belief in the Real Presence by focusing on sacramentality, avoiding the oversimplistic fashion in which the Real Presence is often talked about. In my opinion, the most compelling chapters are 20 ("Man's Share in the Eucharistic Sacrifice"), 21 ("The Eucharistic Liturgy"), 22 ("The Eucharistic Banquet"), which could stand alone as independent essays. At one point, Abbot Vonier makes a compelling call to become a people of the Eucharist: "If this mystery becomes the constant preoccupation of human society, its daily deed, its chief concern, its highest aspiration, then society is saved" (p. 169). We would become eucharistic people constantly in a state of gratitude to our Creator.