BOOK REVIEW Becoming Eucharistic People

vision to practical steps. O’Malley begins by recognizing the context of our polarized, wounded and disaffiliated society, then casts his vision by describing the shape and contours of a Eucharistic culture of communion. With this goal for a culture in mind, he guides the reader through a method of self-examination and discernment about how to accomplish the what and the why. He has two chapters addressing Eucharistic formation “inside the walls”: we must cultivate authentic Eucharistic reverence where we are “joyfully serious” in our worship of the living God; and we must foster an integrated and lifelong catechesis which unites memory, understanding and desire. After refuting any myth of a privatized Catholicism, O’Malley moves “outside the walls,” seeking the restoration of a Eucharistic popular Catholicism that unites liturgy and devotion and the cultivation of a Eucharistic solidarity that unites Catholic Social Teaching and the Eucharist. O’Malley does not leave one crack or crevice of the cosmos unformed by the Eucharistic self-giving love of Jesus.

The underlines and margin notations in my copy of this short book are nearly out of control. So much more can be said about Becoming Eucharistic People, but I don’t want to read it for you. If you really want a Eucharistic revival in this country, in this archdiocese, in your parish and in your life, you could start by reading this book and inviting a neighbor in your parish to do the same.

Father Jacob Lindle is a priest of the Archdiocese of Cincinnati. He is currently assigned as the parochial vicar for the NE-1 Family of Parishes in the northern part of the archdiocese.