Guglielmo di Saint-Thierry: teologo dell’Eucaristia

Abstract

The study is about the Eucharistic theology in the work of the medieval Cistercian theologian, William of Saint-Thierry Abbey. First, his general concept of the spirituality of monastic life is presented, which William based on the paradigm of the liturgical celebration which by sign ( signum ) refers to reality ( res ). Then, his concept of spiritual communion as inseparably connected with the sacramental communion is discussed. In this part of the study, William’s images appear as important factors for understanding his theology: a spiritual kiss as a way of touching the sacrament mystically, as well as an episode from the monastic life, showing the necessity of receiving the sacrament in a spiritual way so that it can be properly received in a physical one. In the third part of the study, the author attempts to summarize the Eucharistic theology of William of Saint-Thierry, which seems to contrast with the colloquial vision of medieval intellectualism, deprived of mysterious and spiritual elements.