Abstract

Michael Stickelbroeck:
The Mystery of the Eucharist in the Systematic Theology of Matthias Joseph Scheeben
(FKTh 2014-1, p. 30–45)

The study wants to elaborate the essential characteristics of the Eucharistic doctrine conceived by the cologne theologian Matthias Joseph Scheeben. Because of the incorporation of believers into Christ, with whom they form one body, the Eucharist is a sacrifice of the church. She does not offer a second, own sacrifice besides that of Christ, but she can incur in it. Her oblation can only occur, by getting involved in the selfcommitment of Christ to the father. In Scheeben’s thinking, the postconsecratory epiclesis, in which the church asks for joining her own oblation with the heavenly „perlatio“ of Christ, holds a special meaning. The idea explaining the whole act of sacrifice is that of the unity between the immolation of the church and the liturgy of heaven.