A Bibliography on the Eucharist

compiled by Felix Just, S.J., Ph.D.

Foundational Ecclesial Documents:

• Vatican II. Sacrosanctum Concilium: Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy (Dec. 4, 1963).
• https://www.vatican.va/archive/hist_councils/ii_vatican_council/documents/vat-ii_const_19631204_sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html
• The first of the four main "Constitutions" of the Second Vatican Council, giving the Church's most authoritative current teaching on liturgical issues.
   
• Institutio Generalis Missalis Romani / General Instruction on the Roman Missal (2003).
• https://www.usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/general-instruction-of-the-roman-missal
• See also below for some commentaries on the GIRM.
   
• Ordo Lectionum Missae, Praenotanda / Lectionary for Mass: Introduction (2nd edition, 1981).
  
• https://catholic-resources.org/Lectionary/1981-GeneralIntroduction.htm
   
• Catechism of the Catholic Church (1993) - see esp. “The Sacrament of the Eucharist” (par. 1322-1419).
• https://www.usccb.org/sites/default/files/flipbooks/catechism/336/
   
  

Papal Documents:

• Pope Francis. Desiderio Desideravi: Apostolic Letter “On the Liturgical Formation of the People of God” (June 29, 2022).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_letters/documents/20220629-lettera-ap-desiderio-desideravi.html
• Pope Francis. Evangelii Gaudium: Apostolic Exhortation “On the Joy of the Gospel” (Nov. 24, 2013). – esp. #47, and 135-141 on the Homily.
• https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/apost_exhortations/documents/papa-francesco_esortazione-ap_20131124_evangelii-gaudium.html
   
• Pope Benedict XVI. Sacramentum Caritatis: Post-Synodal Apostolic Exhortation “On the Eucharist as the Source and Summit of the Church's Life and Mission” (Feb. 22, 2007).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_exhortations/documents/hf_ben-xvi_exh_20070222_sacramentum-caritatis.html
   
• Pope St. John Paul II. Mane Nobiscum Domine: Apostolic Letter “For the Year of the Eucharist” (Oct. 7, 2004).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/2004/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_20041008_mane-nobiscum-domine.html
• Pope St. John Paul II. Ecclesia de Eucharistia: Encyclical “On the Eucharist in Its Relationship to the Church” (April 17, 2003).
• https://www.vatican.va/holy_father/special_features/encyclicals/documents/hf_jp-ii_enc_20030417_ecclesia_eucharistia_en.html
• Pope St. John Paul II. Dies Domini: Apostolic Letter “On Keeping the Lord's Day Holy” (May 31, 1998).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/apost_letters/1998/documents/hf_jp-ii_apl_05071998_dies-domini.html
• Pope St. John Paul II. Dominicae Cenae: Letter “On the Mystery and Worship of the Eucharist” (Feb. 24, 1980).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/letters/1980/documents/hf_jp-ii_let_19800224_dominicae-cenae.html
   
• Pope St. Paul VI. Mysterium Fidei: Encyclical “On the Holy Eucharist” (Sept. 3, 1965).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/paul-vi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-vi_enc_03091965_mysterium.html
   
• Pope Pius XII. Mediator Dei: Encyclical “On the Sacred Liturgy” (Nov. 20, 1947).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xii/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xii_enc_20111947_mediator-dei.html
   

On Limited Use of the 1962 Missal:

• Pope Francis. Letter to Bishops that accompanies the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes (July 16, 2021).
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/letters/2021/documents/20210716-lettera-vescovi-liturgia.html
  • Best place to begin, to understand the historical background and the reasons why Pope Francis abrogated the concessions previously granted by Pope Benedict XVI.
     
• Pope Francis. Traditionis Custodes: Motu Proprio “On the Use of the Roman Liturgy Prior to the Reform of 1970” (July 16, 2021).
• https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/20210716-motu-proprio-traditionis-custodes.html
• The formal ecclesial document that gives the Church's current regulations on this topic.
   
• CDWDS. Responsa ad dubia on certain provisions of the Apostolic Letter Traditionis custodes issued 'Motu Proprio' by the Supreme Pontiff Francis (Dec. 4, 2021).
• https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20211204_responsa-ad-dubia-tradizionis-custodes_en.html
• Brief introductory explanations by Cardinal Arthur Roche and detailed responses to eleven particular questions on this topic.
   
• CDWDS. Rescriptum ex Audientia Ss.mi (Feb. 20, 2023).
  • https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20230220_rescriptum-traditioniscustodes_en.html
  • A brief "rescript," clarifying and confirming several points of the previous Traditionis Custodes and Responsa ad dubia.
  • See also an article by Cardinal Blase Cupich, "Critics of Pope Francis’ Latin Mass restrictions should listen to JPII" (America Magazine, Feb. 27, 2023)
     
• Pope Francis. Desiderio Desideravi (June 29, 2022; see above)
  • See especially par. 14-16, 31.
     
• Previous Documents referred to in, and superceded by Pope Francis' Traditionis Custodes:
  • Congregation for Divine Worship. Letter Quattuor abhinc annos (Oct. 3, 1984).
    • https://www.ewtn.com/catholicism/library/quattuor-abhinc-annos-indult-for-use-of-roman-missal-of-1962-2155
      
  • St. John Paul II. Motu Proprio Ecclesia Dei (July 2, 1988).
    • https://www.vatican.va/content/john-paul-ii/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_jp-ii_motu-proprio_02071988_ecclesia-dei.html
  • Pope Benedict XVI. Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum: “On the Use of the Roman Liturgy Prior to the Reform of 1970” (July 7, 2007).
    • https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/motu_proprio/documents/hf_ben-xvi_motu-proprio_20070707_summorum-pontificum.html
  • Pope Benedict XVI. Letter to Bishops that accompanies the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum (July 7, 2007).
    • https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/letters/2007/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20070707_lettera-vescovi.html
  • Pope Benedict XVI. Motu Proprio Ecclesiae unitatem: “Concerning the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei” (July 2, 2009).
    • https://www.vatican.va/content/benedict-xvi/en/apost_letters/documents/hf_ben-xvi_apl_20090702_ecclesiae-unitatem.html
       

On Translation of Liturgical Texts and Use of Inclusive Language:

• CDWDS, Postquam summus Pontifex: “Decree giving effect to the dispositions of can. 838 of the Code of Canon Law” (Oct. 22, 2021)
  • https://www.vatican.va/roman_curia/congregations/ccdds/documents/rc_con_ccdds_doc_20211022_decreto-can838-cdc_en.html
     
• Pope Francis. Magnum Principium: “Motu Proprio by Which Can. 838 of the Code of Canon Law Is Modified” (Sept. 3, 2017)
  • https://www.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/motu_proprio/documents/papa-francesco-motu-proprio_20170903_magnum-principium.html
     
• CDWDS, Liturgiam authenticam: “On the Use of Vernacular Languages in the Publication of the Books of the Roman Liturgy” (2001)
  • Full text in Latin; Press release in English; Full text in English
     
• NCCB, “Criteria for the Evaluation of Inclusive Language Translations of Scriptural Texts Proposed for Liturgical Use” (1990)
  • Full text at Bible-researcher.com;
     
• CCCB, “To Speak as a Christian Community: Pastoral Message on Inclusive Language” (1989)
  • No longer online? Available in print: The Liturgy Documents, Vol. 2, pp. 243-247.
     
• CDWDS, Comme le prévoit: “On the Translation of Liturgical Texts for Celebrations with a Congregation” (1969)
  • https://www.liturgyoffice.org.uk/Missal/Information/Comme-le-Prevoit.pdf
      

New Resources for the "National Eucharistic Revival in the USA" (2021–2024):

• “National Eucharistic Revival” website – https://www.eucharisticrevival.org/
  
  
• USCCB. The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Life of the Church. 2021. (64 pages)
• https://www.usccb.org/resources/mystery-eucharist-life-church
  
  
• Pope Francis on Eucharist: 100 Daily Meditations for Adoration, Prayer, and Reflection. Liturgical Press, 2023. (112 pages)
   
• Cardinal Blasé J. Cupich. Take, Bless, Break, Share: A Strategy for a Eucharistic Revival. Twenty-Third Publications, 2022. (32 pages)
   
• Bishop Robert Barron. Eucharist. Word on Fire Institute, 2021. (136 pages)
   
• Fr. Patrick Mary Briscoe, OP. My Daily Visitor: Eucharist. OSV, 2023. (64 pages)
   
• Scott P. Detisch. Being Claimed by the Eucharist We Celebrate: A Spiritual Narrative for Priests and Deacons. Liturgical Press, 2022. (176 pages)
   
• Fr. Edward Foley. Eucharistic Adoration after Vatican II. Liturgical Press, 2022. (136 pages)
   
• Matthew Kelly, et al. Beautiful Eucharist. Wellspring / Dynamic Catholic, 2023. (128 pages)
   
• John T. Kyler. A Holy Hour Companion Prayer, Scripture, Reflection, Ritual. Liturgical Press, 2023. (96 pages)
   
• S. James Meyer. Living with Real Presence: Eucharist as an Approach to Life. 23rd Publications, 2022. (128 pages)
   
• Timothy P. O'Malley. Real Presence: What Does It Mean and Why Does It Matter? Ave Maria Press, 2021. (160 pages)
• Timothy P. O'Malley. Becoming Eucharistic People: The Hope and Promise of Parish Life. Ave Maria, 2022. (160 pages)
  • "The Eucharistic Prayer: A Resource for Small Parish Groups" - a free downloadable series, from the McGrath Institute for Church Life
• Timothy P. O'Malley. Behold, Believe, Become: Meeting the Hidden Christ in Things We See, Say, and Do at Mass. Ave Maria, 2024.
    
• Paul Turner. Eucharistic Reservation: Holy Communion and Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery Outside Mass. Liturgical Press, forthcoming (April 2024).
   

Briefer Texts on the USCCB Website:

• Celebrating the Lord’s Day (2010)
• https://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/upload/celebrating-the-lords-day.pdf
• Liturgical Participation (2010)
• https://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/upload/liturgical-participation.pdf
• Liturgy and Life (2010)
• https://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/upload/liturgy-and-life.pdf
• Praying with Body, Mind, and Voice (2010)
• https://usccb.org/prayer-and-worship/the-mass/upload/praying-with-body-mind-and-voice.pdf
   
• Eucharist and Social Mission: Body of Christ, Broken for the World (2021)
• https://usccb.org/about/justice-peace-and-human-development/upload/Eucharist.pdf
• The Eucharistic Liturgy: Formed, Transformed, and Sent (2021)
• https://usccb.org/about/justice-peace-and-human-development/upload/Eucharistic-Liturgy.pdf
• The Mystery of the Eucharist and the Call to Love and Transform (2022)
• https://usccb.org/eucharist-mission
   
  

NCCB/USCCB Documents on Specific Liturgical Topics:

• This Holy and Living Sacrifice: Directory for the Celebration and Reception of Communion under Both Kinds (1984)
   
• God’s Mercy Endures Forever: Guidelines on the Presentation of Jews and Judaism in Catholic Preaching (1988)
   
• Plenty Good Room: The Spirit and Truth of African American Catholic Worship (1990)
   
• The Celebration of the Sacraments with Persons with Disabilities (1995)
   
• Built of Living Stones: Art, Architecture, and Worship (2000)
         See also Environment and Art in Catholic Worship (1978)
   
• "Happy Are Those Called to His Supper": On Preparing to Receive Christ Worthily in the Eucharist (2006)
   
• Sing to the Lord: Music in Divine Worship (2007)
        See also Music in Catholic Worship (1972, 1983) and Liturgical Music Today (1982)
   
• Preaching the Mystery of Faith: The Sunday Homily (2012)
        See also Fulfilled in Your Hearing: The Homily in the Sunday Assembly (1982)
   
• Prayer Companion for Eucharistic Adoration (2019)
   
  

Compilations of Liturgical Documents:

• Compendium on the Eucharist (Libreria Editrice Vaticana, 2016).
  • A compilation of various documents from doctrinal sources, excerpts from liturgical books, prayers, canons, etc.
    

      From Liturgy Training Publications, Chicago:

• The Liturgy Documents, Volume One: Essential Documents for Parish Worship (Fifth edition, 2012).
• The Liturgy Documents, Volume Two: Essential Documents for Parish Sacramental Rites and Other Liturgies (2012).
• The Liturgy Documents, Volume Three: Foundational Documents on the Origins and Implementation of Sacrosanctum Concilium (2013).
• The Liturgy Documents, Volume Four: Supplemental Documents for Parish Worship, Devotions, Formation and Catechesis (2013).
   
• Liturgical Companion to the Documents of the Second Vatican Council (2016)
   

Commentaries on the General Instruction on the Roman Missal (GIRM):

• Baldovin, John, et al. A Commentary on the Order of Mass of The Roman Missal. Liturgical Press, 2011. (680 pages)
   
• DeGrocco, Joseph. A Pastoral Commentary on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Liturgy Training Publications, 2011. (256 pages)
   
• Foley, Edward, et al. A Commentary on the General Instruction of the Roman Missal. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2008. (520 pages)
   
• Smolarski, Dennis C. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal, 1969-2002: A Commentary. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2003. (88 pages)
   

Books on the History, Structure, and Theology of the Mass:

• Stephen J. Binz. Eucharist. Threshold Bible Study. Twenty-Third Publications, 2005. (144 pages)
   
• Robert Cabié. The Eucharist. The Church at Prayer, Vol. 2 (ed. A.G. Martimort). Liturgical Press, 1986. (270 pages)
   
• Christopher Carstens. Principles of Sacred Liturgy: Forming a Sacramental Vision. Liturgy Training Publications, 2020. (368 pages)
   
• Jonathan Martin Ciraulo. The Eucharistic Form of God: Hans Urs von Balthasar's Sacramental Theology. University of Notre Dame Press, 2022. (352 pages)
   
• Lucien Deiss. The Mass. Liturgical Press, 1992. (114 pages)
   
• Jeremy Driscoll. What Happens at Mass. Revised edition. Chicago: Liturgy Training Publications, 2011. (144 pages)
   
• Ernest R. Falardeau, SSS. A Holy and Living Sacrifice The Eucharist in Christian Perspective. Liturgical Press, 1995. (96 pages)
   
• Lawrence Feingold. The Eucharist: Mystery of Presence, Sacrifice, and Communion. Emmaus Academic, 2018. (720 pages)
   
• Dominic Grassi & Joe Paprocki. Living the Mass: How One Hour a Week Can Change Your Life. 2nd Edition. Loyola Press, 2011. (202 pages)
   
• Kevin W. Irwin. Models of the Eucharist. 2nd edition. Paulist, 2020. (368 pages)
   
• Kevin W. Irwin. 101 Questions & Answers on the Mass. Revised Edition. Paulist, 2012. (240 pages)
   
• Lawrence J. Johnson. Worship in the Early Church: An Anthology of Historical Sources. 4 vols. Collegeville, MN: Liturgical Press, 2009. (1552 pages)
   
• Joseph A. Jungmann. The Mass of the Roman Rite: Its Origin and Development. 2 vols. Reprint: Christian Classics, 2012 (orig. Benzinger, 1951). (1056 pages)
   
• John D. Laurance, SJ. The Sacrament of the Eucharist. Lex Orandi. Liturgical Press, 2012. (208 pages)
   
• Eugene LaVerdiere, SSS. The Eucharist in the New Testament and the Early Church. Liturgical Press, 1996. (216 pages)
   
• Joseph Martos. “Eucharist.” Chap. VIII in Doors to the Sacred: A Historical Introduction to Sacraments in the Catholic Church (Golden Anniv. edition; Liguori, 2014), pp. 209-274 (with a large annotated bibliography).
   
• Enrico Mazza. The Celebration of the Eucharist: The Origin of the Rite and the Development of Its Interpretation. Liturgical Press, 2016. (375 pages)
   
• Enrico Mazza. The Origins of the Eucharistic Prayer. Liturgical Press, 1995. (376 pages)
   
• Enrico Mazza. The Eucharistic Prayers of the Roman Rite. Liturgical Press, 1989. (376 pages)
    
• Marcel Metzger. History of the Liturgy: The Major Stages. Liturgical Press, 1997. (160 pages)
   
• Gilbert Ostdiek, OFM. Mystagogy of the Eucharist A Resource for Faith Formation. Liturgical Press, 2015. (144 pages)
   
• Brant Pitre. Jesus and the Jewish Roots of the Eucharist: Unlocking the Secrets of the Last Supper. Image, 2016. (256 pages)
   
• Dennis C. Smolarski, SJ. How Not to Say Mass: A Guidebook on Liturgical Principles and the Roman Missal. 3rd Edition. Paulist Press, 2015. (144 pages)
   
• Edward Sri. A Biblical Walk Through the Mass: Understanding What We Say and Do in the Liturgy. Ascencion Press, 2021. (198 pages)
   
• Clifford M. Yeary. The Eucharist in Scripture. Little Rock Scripture Study. Liturgical Press, 2020. (96 pages)
   
• Clifford M. Yeary. Welcome to the Feast: The Story of the Eucharist in Scripture. Liturgical Press, 2014. (96 pages)
   

Related Pages on This Website:

• The Catholic Mass - the "Ordinary of the Mass (Roman Missal, 2011), with brief explanations
   
• The Eucharistic Prayers - the texts of all the approved Eucharistic Prayers, arranged in tables for comparative analysis
   
• The Lectionary for Mass - comprehensive tables of all the readings prescribed for Masses in the Roman Catholic Church;
  also introductory overviews of Lectionary-related topics, and comparative analyses of several editions of the Lectionary.
   
• Biblical Texts related to the Catholic Mass - my own summary of biblical texts upon which the Eucharist is based
   
• Thanksgiving in the Bible - focusing on "Eucharist" and related words
   
• Theological Aspects of the Catholic Mass - themes such as Thanksgiving, Forgiveness/Mercy, Participation, Silence
   
• Principles of Good Liturgy - some brief tips for better presiding and celebrating the Mass

See also my compilation of Official Documents of the Catholic Church on Ecclesial Ministries

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