Relationship Between the Eucharistic Liturgy the Interior Life and the Social Witness of the Church According to Joseph Cardinal Parecattil

Among the recent theologians of the Syro-Malabar Church who have contributed to the formulation of its Eucharistic theology, Joseph Cardinal Parecattil, the late Metropolitan of the archdiocese of Ernakulam, has emerged as the most prominent. In his Eucharistic theology Parecattil systematically developed the idea that, through the celebration of this sacrament, divine grace nourishes the spiritual life of the faithful and stimulates their social action. Through a careful analysis of the major texts, the author tries to explain how Parecattil’s pastoral heart and administrative capabilities inspired him to prepare an Indian Mass, to incorporate Hindu religious and ascetical practices and to encourage the faithful to be engaged in human welfare activities.