Taking us beyond the empirical facts of the Eucharist, Tad Guzie shows us the symbolic meaning behind the liturgy itself.

Guzie believes that the Eucharist has become ‘objectified’ and in the process the twin elements of ‘real presence’ and ‘eucharistic sacrifice’ have come to be seen as two distinct subjects. A good illustration of this tendency, he states, is provided by the Council of Trent whose promulgated decree on the Eucharist (containing the famous definition of transubstantiation) appeared twelve years before its decree on the sacrifice of the Mass.

First published in 1974 Guzie’s classic work anticipated much that was to follow. Now in this new edition the work appears together with an extensive evaluation by the noted liturgical scholar Edward Yarnold which contextualized the work and relates it to more recent works, and developments in ecumenical dialogue.

“... translates the mood of contemporary Eucharistic theology into an idiom intelligible to the layman...” Library Journal

“Simply the best thing I have ever read on the subject.” Andrew Greeley

“He possesses the rare knack of making the results of scholarly research available to the general reader in a lucid, elegant and attractive manner.” Edward Yarnold

Tad Guzie is a former member of the American Jesuit order. He is the author of numerous books and articles including The Book of Sacramental Basics, About Men and Women, and Journey to Self-Awareness.