For two thousand years and counting, Christians have been fulfilling, in various forms and for countless reasons, this command of Jesus: “Do this in remembrance of me” (1 Cor. 11: 24b). The Church teaches us that the Eucharist, “the source and summit of the Christian life” (Lumen Gentium 11), is a sacrifice, thanksgiving, memorial, presence, and meal (Catechism, 1356-1401). Cultural anthropologists and social scientists have argued that sacrifice is foundational to human culture. If the Eucharist is a sacrifice, how is it similar to and different from other foundational sacrificial rituals? What does it imply when an experienced psychiatrist writes that “the symbols of the Mass penetrate into the deepest layers of the psyche and its history” (Carl Jung)? What is the phenomenology of the eucharistic transformation that unfolds in human lives? If maternal breast is pivotal in the psycho-physical maturation of a human being, does the Eucharist serve a breast function in our spiritual maturation? In this course, we explore the Eucharist from an integrated interpretative lens using the paradigms of theology, psychoanalysis, phenomenology, ritual studies, and mimetic theory

Paulson Veliyannoor is a Claretian Missionary who holds a doctorate in clinical psychology and is currently engaged in coordinating the charismatic renewal of Claretians. He holds a specialization in mysticism and human sciences, and is pursuing studies in spiritual theology. Previously he has served as assistant professor of psychology, founding director of Saint Claret College, Ziro (India), and prefect of apostolate for the Northeast India Delegation of Claretians.

Universidad de Mística-CITeS (University of Mysticism – International Center for Studies in Therese of Avila and John of the Cross) Avila, Spain  https://www.mistica.es  is offering a weekend online course (in English) on the Eucharist – “Morphing Crowd into Community: The Breast Function of the Eucharist” –  to be given by Fr (Dr) Paulson Veliyannoor, CMF. For those interested, here are specific details and how to register: 

1.     Dates: January 22-24, 2021 (Friday evening to Sunday noon)

2.     Session Timings: (as per the Time Zone of Spain. Please find out from the net the equivalent hours of your Time Zone):  Friday: 7.00 – 8.00 PM; Saturday: 10.00 AM – 1.30 PM; 5.00 – 7.00 PM; Sunday: 10.00 AM – 12:30 PM. 

3.     Any registered participant may choose to participate directly as the sessions go live, with the possibility of active interaction and Q & A; or, (b) A participant may choose to watch the sessions at any time convenient within three weeks from the date of the course. The University will send secure links of each day’s sessions at the end of each day, and the links will be active for 3 weeks. This second option will suit those who are living in Time Zones that are far removed from that of Spain. 

4.     The University normally offers a certificate of enrollment only. However, if any participant desires a certificate of participation, they may request the same, but will need to do a short written reflective summary of a topic from a list of topics to be communicated by the professor during the course. Upon the professor’s review of the assignment and his recommendation, the University will issue a certificate of participation. 

5.     The entire course fee (online) is 50 Euros. Those living in Madrid and would like to attend in person, may choose the option ‘presencial’ while registering for the course. The University will inform you of the charges for board & lodging. 

6.     Registration: Those interested are requested to register at the earliest. Click on the link provided below. It will take you to the page where the course description is given. On the left of the page, you will find this word in Spanish, highlighted in red: INSCRIPCIÓN 2020 - 2021, which is the link to the registration page. On the next page, click “next” and you will be taken to the page of all the weekend courses of the University. In that page, scroll down to the third course listed on the column on the right, which is the course in English on the Eucharist. Select it, scroll down to the bottom, and click “next”. Choose “online” option and click “next” (for those in Madrid who would like to attend in person, choose “presencial”). You are then taken to the page where you need to fill in details. If the page appears in Spanish, here are the translations of the details you need to fill in: Nombre = First Name; Apellidos: Last Name (Surname); DNI/NIE/Pasaporte = your passport number; Dirección completa = your house number and street; Código Postal = Zip (Pin) Code; Localidad = city; Provincia = Province/District/County; País = country. Then email and telephone numbers (with country code) 

7.     Once you fill in all the required details, scroll down to the bottom of the page and give consent to process your data as well as to the possible use of some images from the class for the future promotion of the courses. 

8.     Here is the link to register: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfFTZK3BEus4mBjhuKDr00ksv5-XxbouqNjouOEhXUSHBrtaw/viewform?vc=0&c=0&w=1&flr=0

9.     While registering, no payment needs to be done. Once the University receives the required number of registrations as per their stipulations, you will be further informed of the payment process which needs to be completed for you to be admitted to the course. 

Please do feel free to share this information with anyone you think might be interested in this course. Thank you!