SACRAMENT OF EUCHARIST ACCORDING TO EXPOSITIO SYMBOLI APOSTOLORUM BY JOHANNES MARIENWERDER

Abstract

The article is called Sacrament of Eucharist according to “Expositio Symboli Apostolorum” by Johannes Marienwerder. The subject of the analysis is late medieval work of Johannes Marienwerder (Jan z Kwidzyna) (1342–1417) Expositio Symboli Apostolorum (1399–1401). The theme of the Eucharist is interesting for at least two reasons. The late 14th century is the time of extremities: intensification of the postulates of Eucharistic revival and emergence of views which negated Christ’s real presence in the Eucharist. References to a discussion on the subject can be found in Expositio. Second, discussing the views of Johannes Marienwerder on the Eucharist presented in Expositio can provide a supplement for studies of the eucharistic piety of blessed Dorothea of Montau. The following issues are dealt with in this paper. The first section presents the state of debate on the Eucharist in Prague circles in the late 14th century. Postulates of frequent Holy Communion appeared. There were currents negating the Catholic teachings on Eucharist in Prague at the time. The second section discusses the theology of the Eucharist as presented in Expositio.It can be described as a form of apology of the Catholic teachings on the Eucharist. Moreover, the Prologue to Johannes Marienwerder’s work contains a series of brief practical guidelines mainly concerning the celebration of the mass. One should hope that this study will be useful both to theologians and to other scholars who deal with the literary circles of the late Mediaeval Pomesania and also the pre-Hussite period.