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Source and Summit of Spiritual Life: Foundations of the writings of Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila in the Church’s Eucharistic Liturgy
by Rev. Steve Wlusek, B.A., M.Div., M.A., Th.D. cand. (St. Michael’s College)
A parallel can be recognized between the liturgical actions of the Church’s celebration of the Eucharist and the key elements of the spiritual itinerary proposed by Carmelite mystics John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. The emphasis that Teresa and John place upon the necessary elements of the spiritual journey, the sense of structure or order that is inherent within the soul’s path towards union with God, and the progression or movement from one spiritual plane to another reveal a close connection between the spiritual theology they present and the Church’s Eucharistic theology as expressed through its liturgical rites. This presentation will demonstrate that the spiritual theology of Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila is founded upon principles underlying the Church’s Eucharistic liturgy, and will underscore the correlation between the spiritual journey of the worshiping community and that of individual believers.
The Primitive Egyptian Eucharist
by Bishoy Dawood, B.A., M.T.S., Th.D. student (St. Michael’s College)
In the twentieth century, many liturgical scholars studied the origins of the Christian liturgical rites, but the majority of these studies focused on how the words of the known Anaphora prayers were derived from earlier Jewish prayers. It is rare to find works that focus on the ritualistic actions of liturgical rites from a historical-developmental perspective. This presentation will focus on presenting a Eucharistic tradition that consists of ritualistic action and will argue that the Coptic rite of the “Offertory," which is still in use in the Coptic churches today and prayed before all the Anaphoras, is a primitive and complete Eucharistic rite.
Exploring the Notion of Intercultural Worship
Rev. Teresa A. Burnett-Cole, B.A., M.Div., Th.D. cand. (Emmanuel College). Minister, Riverdale United Church, Toronto
Worship in the post-colonial age presents particular challenges. What are the theological imperatives behind intercultural worship? What are its possible guiding principles? What might such worship look like? This presentation will explore the challenges interculturalism presents in the field of liturgical theology and offers some possible ways forward in the dialogue.
A parallel can be recognized between the liturgical actions of the Church’s celebration of the Eucharist and the key elements of the spiritual itinerary proposed by Carmelite mystics John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila. The emphasis that Teresa and John place upon the necessary elements of the spiritual journey, the sense of structure or order that is inherent within the soul’s path towards union with God, and the progression or movement from one spiritual plane to another reveal a close connection between the spiritual theology they present and the Church’s Eucharistic theology as expressed through its liturgical rites. This presentation will demonstrate that the spiritual theology of Sts. John of the Cross and Teresa of Avila is founded upon principles underlying the Church’s Eucharistic liturgy, and will underscore the correlation between the spiritual journey of the worshiping community and that of individual believers.
